Service Alberta’s Budget 2019 invests in innovation and modernization to enhance consumer protection and promote confidence in the marketplace.
Budget 2019 invests $20 million per year to educate Albertans on consumer protection and enforcement activities, and to support the introduction of new tools to protect people from scams, fraud and potential financial losses.
“Giving Albertans more tools to search businesses online to see if any enforcement actions have been taken against them, means giving people peace of mind about the businesses they choose to support. At the end of the day, this means confident consumers and responsible businesses.” Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta
Adding new consumer protection tools to those already available highlights the government’s commitment to modernizing services and ensuring an appropriate balance between protecting consumers and creating an environment where job creators can thrive.
Business Enforcement Search Tool
This new tool allows consumers and businesses easy and free access to the history of enforcement actions against a business.
Consumer Alerts Program
A new page on alberta.ca that issues proactive warnings about dishonest businesses.
Report a Rip-off tip line – 1-877-427-4088
Anonymous tips line allows consumers and businesses to report suspicious or dishonest activities.
Quick facts
- Key consumer protection activities include education, Consumer Contact Centre operations, enforcement and compliance.
- Service Alberta receives about 3,000 consumer complaints annually.
- In fiscal 2018-19, the Consumer Investigations Unit closed about 840 investigations, recovering more than $1 million for consumers.
- During the same period, Service Alberta undertook a number of administrative actions, including issuing $8,750 in fines, 22 Director’s Orders, four warnings, and taking 19 licensing actions such as applying conditions or suspensions and denying or cancelling business licences.