Consumer Assistance Office of Metro West Receives Grant From Attorney General’s Office

The following is a press release from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office submitted to SOURCE media

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BOSTON ­– Today, July 7, Attorney General Maura Healey announced her office has awarded $1.28 million in grant funding to 18 local consumer advocacy programs across the state.  

“Local Consumer Programs connect Massachusetts residents with important resources, teach them about their rights, and arm them with the tools they need to make smart decisions as consumers,” said AG Healey. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with organizations across the state that advocate for consumers every day.”

As part of its services to consumers, the AG’s Office uses settlement funds to provide grants to a statewide network of Local Consumer Programs (LCPs). Every year, the programs handle thousands of consumer complaints in their own regions where their local knowledge and community involvement enable them to provide effective assistance and services to help consumers resolve disputes. The programs can provide information to callers concerning state and federal consumer protection laws and offer advocacy services to consumers.

In fiscal year 2020, the programs provided consumer services in more than 7,000 cases, returning more than $2 million to consumers, and preventing countless others from becoming victims of outright scams. 

The Consumer Assistance Office of Metro West in Natick was one of the 18 awarded funds. The others are:

• Berkshire Regional Housing Authority in Pittsfield
• Chelsea Collaborative Inc.
• City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing
• City of Cambridge Consumers’ Council
• City of New Bedford Department of Community Services
• City of Revere Consumer Affairs Office
• City of Springfield Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information
• City of Worcester Office of Human Rights and Disabilities
• Consumer Assistance Council of Cape Cod in Hyannis
• Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Inc.
• MASSPIRG Education Fund in Weymouth
• Medford Consumer Advisory Commission
• Middlesex Community College Law Center Consumer Protection Program in Lowell
• Neighborhood of Affordable Housing in East Boston
• North Essex Dispute Resolution Center in Newburyport
• Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit in Greenfield
• South Shore Community Action Council Inc. in Plymouth

The AG’s Local Consumer Program is handled by Program Manager Elhannah Burnett and Chief Bill O’Hearn, both of the AG’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division.

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