FAQ

The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General is focused on:

• Protecting families and giving a voice to vulnerable populations;
• Prosecuting dangerous criminals who prey on children and the most vulnerable;
• Advocating for policies that help law enforcement improve community safety;
• Protecting New Mexicans from consumer scams and fraud;
• Promoting open, accountable governance, and stopping public corruption;
• Protecting and preserving the quality of New Mexico’s cultural history, land, water, and air;
• Upholding the United States and New Mexico Constitution; and
• Providing the highest level of ethical legal service to the State of New Mexico.

For more information, visit the About the Office page.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General enforces consumer laws in the State of New Mexico that exist to shield the public from fraudulent and unfair business practices. Our state’s principal consumer law is the Unfair Practices Act. Under the Unfair Practices Act, the Division provides multi-level services to the public to ensure that consumers have safe and satisfactory interactions with businesses operating in New Mexico.

See the Consumer Complaint Instructions page for further details.

The Office of the Attorney General does not act and cannot act as a private attorney for individual citizens. However, in some matters, if a consumer is unable to resolve a dispute with a business, the Consumer Protection Division’s complaint resolution services may be available. There is no charge to the public for these services.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

Attorney General Balderas has made a commitment to New Mexico consumers that his advocacy staff will respond to complaints within 72 hours and has pledged that even when his office receives complaints that go beyond the authority and scope of the office, advocates will attempt to link constituents with other agencies.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

Yes. Learn how to protect yourself from some common consumer scams, including credit repair and debt relief scams, tax scams, pyramid schemes, and many more. At the Office of the Attorney General we collect and use scam reports to help alert others, and we encourage you to report your scam.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your scam to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

Take steps to protect yourself from identity theft:

• Secure your Social Security number (SSN).
• Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information.
• Request a freeze of your credit reports.
• Review your credit card and bank account statements.
• Store personal information in a safe place.

For more information, visit the Identity Theft page.

Immediately file a police report and retain a copy. Then contact your creditors, banks, credit bureau, local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission by phone and in writing.

For more information, visit the Identity Theft page.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

For more information, see the ***Prescription Drug Disposal Guide.

Some issues are that the drug user’s perception is that prescription drugs are not as dangerous as they actually are.

SYMPTOMS OF OPIOID ABUSE:

• Confusion and lack of coordination
• Lowered blood pressure
• Dry Mouth
• Weakness, dizziness, sleepiness
• Constricted pupils
• Watery or droopy eyes
• Nausea, vomiting, and constipation
• Respiratory depression (inadequate ventilation)
• Sleep deprivation or “nodding”
• Slow, slurred speech
• Slow gait Dry skin, itching, or skin infections
• Constant flue-like symptoms
• Bruises or “track marks” (if injecting)

For more information, see the *** Warning Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse.

Yes. Below are some useful resources intended to help educate consumers when they are purchasing a vehicle.

• The Attorney General’s Used Car Buyer’s Guide
• Used Car Inspection Form
• Safe Car – Recall VIN Lookup​

Visit the Car Buying Tips page for more information.

We investigate and prosecute fraud committed by Medicaid providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories, doctors, dentists, nurses, caretakers, therapists, facilities, etc.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

We investigate and prosecute abuse, neglect, and exploitation against residents in facilities, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

Organizations are now required to register and file reports electronically using NM-COROS. The electronic filing system allows charities to fulfill all registration and filing requirements, including completing the electronic registration form, uploading documents, filing annual reports, and receiving immediate confirmation of receipt.

Complete list of Charity Registration FAQs

Charity Search includes registration status history, financial information, and charity documents. Charity Search is based on registration information provided to the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General via NM-COROS (New Mexico – Charitable Organization Registration Online System) by the charity or it’s registration agent.

Search New Mexico Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Organizations for a charitable organization.

The “Open Meetings Act,” NMSA 1978, Sections 10-15-1 to 10-15-4, is known as a “sunshine law.” Sunshine laws generally require that public business be conducted in full public view, that the actions of public bodies be taken openly, and that the deliberations of public bodies be open to the public.

Open Meetings Act Compliance Guide 2015

The Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) is intended to provide the public with access to information about governmental affairs. This Compliance Guide has been prepared to inform the public, state and local government agencies, and all other public bodies subject to the IPRA about its requirements and applications.

Inspection of Public Records Act Compliance Guide 2015

The purpose of the presentation is to educate and assist New Mexicans regarding the importance of transparency and compliance, as well as the rights of the public under New Mexico’s Sunshine Laws, the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). These events are open to all interested members and staff of state and local governments, school boards, commissions, media, and the general public. The first 90 minutes of each presentation addresses OMA followed by IPRA, and individuals can attend either or both trainings.

See the Events page for a schedule.

Complaints about possible violations, or questions pertaining to OMA should be referred to the Open Government Division. The Division enforces the Act by investigating and responding to written complaints from citizens. They can be reached at (505) 490-4060.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

Complaints about possible violations, or questions pertaining to IPRA should be referred to the Open Government Division. The Division enforces the Act by investigating and responding to written complaints from citizens. They can be reached at (505) 490-4060.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

The Inspection of Public Records Act is intended to provide the public with access to information governmental affairs. The law requires public access to virtually all public records with a few exceptions most records are available for public inspection. Each state agency and local governmental entities have designated a records custodian to whom requests to inspect records should be addressed.

To request to inspect records from the Office of the Attorney General, please visit the Public Records Inspection Request page.

Opinions and Advisory Letters are prepared after a thorough review of all of the circumstances, evidence, law, and precedent related to the request. Policymakers often rely on opinions issued by the OAG to help them make informed decisions as they evaluate proposed statutory changes and new pieces of legislation. A legal opinion generated by the state’s lawyer, an uninvolved third party, is invaluable in helping avoid costly litigation and offering an accurate and unbiased reading of statute.

For more information, visit the Opinions and Advisory Letters page.

For a list of current opportunities, visit the Human Resources page.

Vsit the Student Oppurtunities section on Human Resources page for more information.