Consumer protection laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining a competative advantage over other businesses. Consumer protection laws are a form of government regulation which aim to protect the rights of consumers. Miami-Dade County offers information covering a wide range of consumer related subjects for residents and visitors.

Get savvy consumer advice in the latest issue of ConsumerWise.

If you have a complaint regarding the purchase of goods or services, and the transaction occurred in Miami-Dade or involved a Miami-Dade County business you can file a complaint here.

Here you will find important tips and information that will help you make informed consumer choices.

Learn how to prevent foreclosure and more about the foreclosure process. Avoid predatory lending and mortgage fraud scams. You can manage your debt and find loan modification options. Renters have rights, too.

Before making home repairs here are some important tips for hiring contractors.

• Contractor Inquiry and Complaint Search
• Florida Department of Business Regulation Licensee Search

There is a new kind of thief whose stock in trade is your everyday transactions, which is based on your personal information - your bank account, income, social security number, name, address, phone numbers and date of birth. Identity thieves take this information, without your knowledge, to commit fraud or theft.

The Wage Theft Ordinance applies to all private employers with employees who are performing work within the geographical boundaries of Miami-Dade County, without any regard to the physical location of the employer.  Also, as with state and federal wage and hour laws, individuals may be liable under the ordinance if they were capable of exercising supervisory authority over the complaining employee and were responsible to some degree for the alleged violation.