THE PROGRAM IS HOUSED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIR'S DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES WITH THE AIM OF ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A STATEWIDE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA SYSTEM CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A TIMELY, EXTENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT, REGULATORY, AND OTHER CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE CONSUMER FRAUD. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE ABILITY TO SHARE ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING COMPLAINTS, AND USER AGENCIES' ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THEM, WILL HELP TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATION OF EFFORT, BUILD BETTER CIVIL, CRIMINAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE CASES, AND RESULT IN GREATER PENALTIES, RESTITUTION, AND IMPACT. THE AIM OF THE SYSTEM IS THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF LEGAL ACTIVITIES AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES TO ENABLE RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES TO TAKE STEPS TO ELIMINATE THOSE ACTIVITIES BEFORE THERE IS WIDESPREAD DAMAGE. TERMS AND ACRONYMS COMMON TO THE SYSTEM ARE NOTED AND DEFINED AND INSTRUCTIONAL DIRECTIVES RELATING TO ALL PHASES OF THE INPUT PROCESS ARE DISCUSSED. ORIGINAL AND FOLLOWUP DATA FORMS ARE PROVIDED AND FORM UPDATING AND PROCESSING ARE DISCUSSED. THE FOLLOWING STANDARD REPORTS PROVIDED TO SYSTEM USERS ON A REGULAR BASIS ARE NOTED AND DISCUSSED: ACTIVE COMPLAINTS, AGENCY COMPLAINT LISTING, COUNTY LOCATED RESPONDENTS, FIVE OR MORE COMPLAINTS FOR REGULATORY AGENCY DISCLOSURE, FIVE OR MORE COMPLAINTS FOR STATEWIDE DISCLOSURE, RESPONDENTS WITH SELECTED PRODUCT/SERVICE CATEGORIES, STATEWIDE '17508' LETTERS LISTING, AND STATISTICS RELATING TO ALL CATEGORIES. SPECIAL REPORTS PROVIDED TO USERS ONLY ON REQUEST ARE ALSO NOTED: RESPONDENTS WITHIN SELECTED CATEGORIES AND STATISTICS WITHIN SELECTED CATEGORIES. REFERENCE MATERIALS PROVIDED INCLUDE CITY AND RELATED COUNTY CODE NUMBERS, COUNTY AND STATE CODES, DISPOSITION CODES AND DEFINITIONS, A STANDARDIZED LIST OF RESPONDENT NAMES, STATUTE/RULE CODE ABBREVIATIONS, USER AGENCY CODES AND CONTACTS, AND NONUSER AGENCIES AND CODES. (KBL)