THE CONSUMER FRAUD ACT IN NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST LEGISLATIVE ACTS IN THE COUNTRY. IT PROHIBITS UNCONSCIONABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES AND FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION IN THE SALE OF GOODS AND SERVICES. SUPPLEMENTING THE ACT ARE 12 REGULATIONS THAT DEFINE UNLAWFUL PRACTICES MORE SPECIFICALLY AND DELINEATE CERTAIN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS ALIKE. THE OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IS THE PRIMARY INVESTIGATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT UNIT OF THE DIVISION IN THE SALE, LEASE, OR ADVERTISEMENT OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DEFINED BY CONSUMER FRAUD ACT. THE CALA NETWORK WAS INITIATED IN 1971. TWELVE OF THE STATE'S 21 COUNTIES HAVE ESTABLISHED CONSUMER OFFICES THAT ARE PART OF THE NETWORK. OTHER CONSUMER OFFICES HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL. CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ARE HANDLED DIRECTLY AND BY REFERRAL FROM THE STATE. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICES ON A LIMITED BASIS. SECTIONS OF THE MANUAL FOCUS ON ETHICAL CODES, PERSONNEL WITHIN THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BOARDS, COUNTY-MUNICIPAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICES, SUBSTANTIVE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY AGENCIES WITHIN THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR USE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CASES INVOLVING VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSUMER FRAUD ACT, CONSUMER CREDIT STATUTES IN NEW JERSEY, FEDERAL CONSUMER CREDIT LAWS, AND TRADE REGULATION RULES. AN INVESTIGATIVE CHECKLIST IS INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND FORMS ON THE HANDLING OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. (DEP)