Salt Lake City is launching a Consumer Financial Protection Initiative to strengthen consumer rights and protect residents from predatory financial practices. The initiative will work closely with other partners to focus on landlord-tenant issues, towing and booting companies, payday lenders, construction contractors and solar installers.
“We want Salt Lake City residents to know their rights and make informed choices for themselves and their families,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “This initiative will offer help in areas that are unique to City residents.”
Salt Lake City is one of four cities taking part in the initiative with the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Salt Lake City will receive $125,000 over the next two years from that fund.
To launch this Initiative, Salt Lake City has completed a preliminary needs and resource assessment and identified major stakeholders. In 2018, this new initiative will focus on the implementation of a central hub for consumer financial complaints connecting consumers to the various agencies that can resolve complaints or provide consumers with other resources. These efforts will include:
- Prevention, education and outreach
- Policy review and development
- Complaint resolution
- Monitoring
- Enforcement
- Supportive services
Salt Lake City residents who would like to receive help can file complaints or find more information by sending an email to consumerprotection@slcgov.com.
The City is grateful for the participation of these key stakeholders:
Intergovernmental Salt Lake County Office for New Americans and Refugees, Utah Division of Consumer Protection, Utah Office of the Attorney General and Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Political Salt Lake City Mayor; Salt Lake City Council and Community Councils
Non-Profit Communities Better Business Bureau Utah, Consumer Credit Counseling Services; Disability Law Center, Pete Suazo Business Center, Salt Lake Community College Small Business Development Center, Utah Legal Services, Catholic Community Charities, Communidades Unidas, International Rescue Committee and Utah Community Action
Business Community Industry and Business Associations and Salt Lake Chamber