The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs was created in 2012 to ensure consumers get what they pay for. In 2018, Cuyahoga County rewrote its Consumer Protection Code, giving the Department of Consumer Affairs civil enforcement authority. With this revision, in addition to resolving cases through informal mediation, the Department has the authority to use a variety of tools to stop unfair and deceptive practices. For example, Consumer Affairs can now order companies to stop fraudulent behavior or to repay wronged customers. Violations of Weights and Measures standards are also considered violations of the Consumer Protection Code, giving the County the opportunity to order companies to make wronged consumers whole. 

The Department of Consumer Affairs is also committed to changing the way agencies across the County respond to scam complaints. It accomplishes much of its work through Scam Squad, a senior financial fraud task force made up of local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofits. The Department of Consumer Affairs issues scam alerts, publicizes scams and consumer information on its Facebook and Twitter feeds (@CuyCoConsumers), and participates with Scam Squad in helping consumers spot and avoid fraud. Scam Squad also acts as a clearinghouse for enforcement agencies dealing with scams.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has spent the first half of 2019 training staff and honing its policies as it continues its transition to a civil enforcement agency under the revised Consumer Protection Code.