St. Louis citizens who run into deceptive advertising, shoddy business practices, and consumer frauds have some place to bring their complaints now. Mr. Walter Helgoth, director of the brand new St. Louis Office for Consumer Affairs, introduced himself and outlined his area of interest at the April meeting of the SDCC Board.
The office is located at 3511 Lindell: telephone 534-1134. Mr. Helgoth explained that his office is small and new, funded partially by federal and partially by city funds. He is hopeful that legislation by the Board of Aldermen will soon provide St. Louisans with consumer protection laws similar to those in New York City and provide his office with authority to seek enforcement of those laws.
In the meantime, he and his staff are anxious to hear complaints, to act where they can, and to build up a file on what actually are the most common consumer frauds practiced on St. Louis citizens. Citizens suspecting fraud or shoddy business practices are urged to hold on to ads, letters, receipts, etc., which will document the complaint and help in investigation.
Mr. Helgoth is anxious to make his office known to the people of the community and will be glad to address community groups whenever possible.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1972.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1972_05.pdf, printed page 6.
