DCA brings Downtown to the Eastside

Commission meeting, branch office enrich East Los Angeles County Hall

The East Los Angeles County Hall opened earlier this year. Its purpose is to help bring government away from Downtown and closer to the community.

It’s a natural home for the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs. DCA continues to lead the charge toward more community-based government.

DCA already has a branch office at the East L.A. County Hall. The Los Angeles County Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission recently held its monthly meeting at the new library next door. Civic leaders, DCA investigators, sheriff’s detectives and citizens met to discuss important consumer issues.

“The Consumer Affairs department is very proactive about getting information out that has an impact on people’s lives,” said Suzanne Manriquez, Field Deputy for County Supervisor Gloria Molina (First District, which includes East Los Angeles).

DCA director Pastor Herrera, Jr. addresses commissioners and the public at East L.A. County Hall.

DCA Advisory Commissioner Ricardo Lara moderated a discussion of common consumer frauds in the East Los Angeles area.

Sgt. Henry Saucedo and Detective Patrick Martinez of the L.A. County Sheriff Department discussed the dangers of identity theft and financial scams.

Saucedo issued a warning about the “Lotto Scam,” which has victimized many in East L.A.’s immigrant population. In this scam, criminals approach a person on the street – typically an elderly person – and claim to hold a winning lottery ticket. They say they are an illegal immigrant and fear deportation. So they ask the victim to cash the ticket and split the prize. In return, the criminal will ask the victim to give them money up front. Then the criminal disappears. The victim is left with a fake lottery ticket and a smaller bank balance.

Saucedo had some simple advice for potential victims.

“Nothing’s free. Say no. Walk away,” he said.

East Los Angeles County Hall is the site of one of DCA’s branch offices. Here you can receive free consumer information and advice about Small Claims Court procedures. DCA’s East L.A. branch office is open Monday through Friday from 8-5.

Keven Chavez, Public Information Assistant