A CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN 1963. ITS ACTIVITIES HAVE GROWN UNTIL IN 1976 THE DIVISION RECEIVED 3,754 CONSUMER-RELATED COMPLAINTS AND RETURNED NEARLY $450,000 TO KANSANS AS A RESULT OF INVESTIGATION, NEGOTIATION, AND LEGAL ACTION. THIS CONSUMER INFORMATION BOOKLET IS PART OF ITS OVERALL CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAM. IT COVERS THE PROCEDURES FOR FILING COMPLAINTS, DESCRIBES THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT, TELLS HOW TO HANDLE UNORDERED MERCHANDISE, AND EXPLAINS THE LAW'S PROVISIONS REGARDING 'COOLING OFF' PERIODS. COMMON FRAUDULENT PRACTICES ARE DESCRIBED: BAIT AND SWITCH ADVERTISING, FALSE COUPON BOOKS, FALSE RECOMMENDATIONS, REFERRAL SELLING, CHAIN LETTERS, AND FRAUDULENT CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS. COMMON PRODUCTS INVOLVED IN FRAUDULENT SELLING ARE ALUMINUM SIDING, AUTOMOBILES, CHEMICALS (GENERALLY FOR FARM USE), CHINCHILLA RAISING, DISHES AND OVENWARE, DISTRIBUTORSHIPS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, FIRE WARNING SYSTEMS, RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES, LIGHTNING RODS, MAGAZINES, METAL FARM BUILDINGS, PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT AND VENDING MACHINES. SERVICES WHICH HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED INCLUDE BASEMENT WATERPROOFING, CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS, FARM COOPERATIVES AND DISCOUNT BUYING CLUBS, HOME IMPROVEMENTS, PATENT SEARCHES, THE TRACING OF MISSING HEIRS, REAL ESTATE, WORK-AT-HOME PROJECTS, AND A VARIETY OF MISCELLANEOUS SCHEMES.(GLR)