The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Consumer Protection Unit (CPU), is here to address your winter weather consumer complaints.
District residents and visitors were recently slammed with snow, sleet, ice, rain, and below freezing temperatures, but that doesn’t mean scammers, deceptive merchants, and unlicensed contractors can use bad weather to take advantage of consumers, jack-up prices, or do shoddy work.
Below are ways you can be safe during this winter season:
Beware of Price Gouging
Within 48 hours of a natural disaster, the Mayor may declare, a state of emergency in the District. For example, Mayor Bowser declared a state of emergency on January 23, 2026, ahead of a major winter storm that affected the region. Normally a state of emergency lasts for 30 calendar days.
During a state of emergency declared by the Mayor, it is illegal to charge more than “average normal retail price” good or services such as food, gasoline, essential items, or housing. See D.C. § Code 28-4101-4103.
If you feel you’ve been the victim of price gouging during the recent or future winter storm emergencies, document the incident, hold on to your receipts, and file a complaint here.
Beware of Unlicensed Tow Operators
Snow and ice removal in the District require the use of the District’s Snow Emergency Routes. Snow Emergency Routes are indicated by red and white signs posted along the District’s larger commercial streets. Motorists may not park on Snow Emergency Routes while the emergency is in effect to allow snowplow drivers to clear these streets curb-to-curb.
If your vehicle is parked on a Snow Emergency Route during a snow emergency, it may be ticketed and towed. If you’ve been towed or excessively charged for being towed, please know:
- Any tow business, lot, and truck operating in the District must be licensed, so check the DLCP online system SCOUT to verify if they are licensed.
- All public tows requested by the District Department of Public Works should be taken to the DPW Impound Lot or towed by a private company to a private lot.
- All tow operators must have the Company Name, Phone Number, Address, DOT number, and hours of operation visible on the truck.
- At towing, all companies must provide consumers with the District’s Towing Bill of Rights
Beware of Unlicensed Contractors and Vendors
Winter storms can unfortunately require snow removal, or damage to your home or property, but be wary of unsolicited contractors showing up at your door and suggesting you’re in need of urgent repairs.
Before you hire a contractor:
- Prevent: Research your options before hiring a contractor, check their references, and their credentials with DLCP by using our online system SCOUT to verify if they are licensed
- Recognize: Get estimates from multiple contractors to make sure you’re not overpaying, and carefully review your contract, timeline, payment schedule, and materials to be used for the project
- Record: Make sure to keep everything including the timeline, payment schedule, and materials to be used for the project in writing. Also, have someone you trust review your contract and documents before you sign it
Also, trade professionals can face possible disciplinary actions from their specific professional board for performing HVAC and other repairs improperly or without being licensed by DLCP.
If you’ve been the victim of deceptive or unlawful activity by a business or individuals during this or future winter emergencies, file a complaint with the DLCP Consumer Protection Unit. DLCP investigators will work to make you (the complainant) whole through mediation, regulation, and the issuance of notices of infraction (NOI).
DLCP can issue notices of infraction for violations of DC’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA) with fines starting at $1,000. In addition, DLCP also has the authority to issue cease and desist and business license revocation orders, in appropriate cases.
Please stay safe and warm, and feel free to reach out to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Consumer Protection Unit (CPU), for your winter storm consumer concerns.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact [email protected] or 202-671-4500.