The Consumer Affairs office has been looking out for Suffolk residents and businesses since 1974. It attempts to educate consumers to break widespread public misconceptions in purchasing goods while investigating complaints of fraud. Consumer Affairs also enforces fair licensing and market practices on local businesses, contractors and services. On its website, residents can check to make sure a contractor is licensed, find out which businesses to avoid or which ones have significant complaints against them and get information on current pricing for regulated gasoline, home heating oil and other commodities.