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Every Georgia resident is entitled to fair treatment when buying products, receiving services, or entering into financial agreements. Knowing your consumer rights is the first step toward protecting yourself from fraud, scams, or unfair business practices. In Georgia, these rights are upheld by both state and federal laws designed to ensure transparency, safety, and honesty in the marketplace.
Your Core Consumer Rights in Georgia:
The Right to Be Informed
You are entitled to clear, honest information about a product or service before making a purchase—including pricing, warranties, and risks.
The Right to Choose
Competition among businesses is protected to ensure consumers have access to a variety of options at fair prices.
The Right to Safety
Products sold in Georgia must meet safety regulations. If a product is defective or harmful, consumers have a right to seek recourse.
The Right to Be Heard
You can report grievances to government agencies, including the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, which investigates and enforces laws against deceptive business practices.
The Right to Redress
Consumers have legal options to seek refunds, replacements, or compensation for faulty goods or services that don’t meet legal standards.
Where to Learn More:
Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division
Offers education, complaint forms, and legal support for consumer issues.
GeorgiaLegalAid.org
Provides guides and legal resources tailored for Georgia residents.
Federal Trade Commission
Protects consumers nationwide and educates the public on their rights related to fraud, credit, privacy, and more.
Understanding your rights empowers you to make informed decisions and take action when those rights are violated. For Chatham County residents, additional support is available through local legal aid offices and the My Neighbors Consumer Protection Center.
In Chatham County, Georgia, if you have a clearly posted "No Soliciting" sign and have personally informed a door-to-door salesperson that you’re not interested, yet they continue to return, you may take the following steps.
Can I cancel a contract I signed at my home within a few days?
Yes. Under Georgia's Home Solicitation Sales Act, you have three business days to cancel contracts made in your home (or non-retail locations) for goods or services over $25.
Do I have the right to dispute a bill I believe is incorrect?
Yes. Georgia law gives you the right to dispute billing errors in writing within 60 days of receiving the statement. This applies to credit card and certain other financial accounts.
If I buy a car “as-is,” do I have any protections?
Yes. Even if a car is sold “as-is,” Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act still prohibits dealers from engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices, such as hiding known issues or odometer tampering.
Can a business legally refuse to give me a refund?
Yes, but only if it clearly discloses the policy before the transaction. If a refund or exchange policy is not posted or stated, consumers may have a right to a refund under Georgia law.
Do I have rights if a business damages my credit with incorrect reporting?
Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act and state law require businesses to provide accurate information. You have the right to dispute incorrect items and request corrections.
Are layaway plans regulated in Georgia?
Yes. Retailers offering layaway must disclose the terms in writing, including payment schedules, cancellation policies, and any penalties.
Can a debt collector contact me at work or during odd hours?
No. Georgia follows federal FDCPA guidelines, which prohibit collectors from calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., or at work if you’ve asked them not to.
Can a business use misleading pricing like “bait and switch”?
No. Georgia’s consumer protection laws ban bait-and-switch advertising, where a business lures you with a deal it doesn’t intend to honor, then pressures you into a more expensive alternative.
If I buy a defective product, must the company repair or replace it?
Not always—but if there’s a warranty or implied warranty, the seller may be legally required to repair, replace, or refund under Georgia law or the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Can I sue a business for repeated robocalls or spam texts?
Yes. Both Georgia and federal law allow you to file a civil claim for damages if a company repeatedly contacts you with robocalls or unsolicited messages after you’ve opted out.
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