A.G. Schuette marks National Consumer Protection Week with top ten complaint list

LANSING,MI--Attorney General Bill Schuette today marked National Consumer Protection Week by releasing the Department's Top Ten Consumer Complaints and highlighting the free educational resources offered to Michigan citizens to help them become savvy consumers. Schuette's Top Ten list is compiled from analysis of the 12,844 written complaints filed with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division in 2011. In 2011, Schuette's Consumer Protection Division recovered nearly $1.9 million in consumer refunds and forgiven debts, and nearly $3.9 million in State recoveries. ''Our consumer protection division works every day resolve consumer complaints and educate citizens to help them avoid becoming victims of scams,'' said Schuette. ''In the coming months, our top-notch consumer advocates will work to help eligible Michigan homeowners to take advantage of relief offered through the national settlement with mortgage servicers.'' On February 7, 2012, Schuette announced Michigan will join at least 40 other states in a multi-billion dollar nationwide settlement with five of the nation's largest banks/mortgage servicers in response to allegations of faulty foreclosure processes and poor servicing of mortgages that harmed Michigan homeowners. Michigan residents will receive approximately a half-billion dollars, including a $101 million fund provided directly to the State of Michigan. Schuette reminds Michigan homeowners that citizens do not need to pay to speak with their lender or servicer or to obtain outside assistance with foreclosure issues. Free local assistance with foreclosure issues can be found by calling the Michigan State Housing Development Authority at (866) 946-7432. The Consumer Protection Division provides an extensive list of tips and consumer alerts for Michigan residents. By going online, consumers can find trusted information on a wide range of consumer protection topics like identity theft, ponzi schemes, charitable giving during the holidays and home remodeling scams. Brochures and alerts can be found by going to www.michigan.gov/ag and clicking on the ''Consumer Protection'' link. Schuette encourages consumers with concerns or questions to contact the Consumer Protection Division toll-free by calling 1-877-765-8388. Top 10 Consumer Complaint Categories of 2011 1. Credit and Financial Concerns: Complaints in this category range from credit and collection companies, mortgage bankers, brokers, and predatory lending matters. 2. Telecommunications and Cable or Satellite TV: This category includes complaints about cable and satellite TV services, telemarketing, do-not-call violations, cell phone issues, and unauthorized charges or unauthorized switching of service providers. 3. Retail: This category includes complaints about extended warranties, the quality of merchandise, rebates, and scanner or pricing errors. 4. Gasoline/Fuel/Energy: Along with the rising price of fuel, this category jumped four spots to number four this year. This category includes complaints about gas prices, and billing disputes involving home heating oil, natural gas, and electricity service. 5. Internet: This category includes Internet purchases and auctions, failure to deliver or refund, fraudulent e-mail solicitations, and Internet service provider complaints. 6. Motor Vehicle or Automobile: This category includes complaints about lemon law violations, advertising, warranty, quality, and misrepresentation. 7. Health Service Providers: This category is new to our Top 10 consumer complaint list for 2011, and includes billing disputes between consumers and their medical, dental, or other health care providers. The sudden closure of Allcare's Dental clinics in Michigan and nationwide likely resulted in the boost in complaint volume. Through its mediation efforts, the Schuette's Consumer Protection Division was able to recover almost $100,000 in consumer refunds (in the form of chargebacks or credits from credit card companies or third party financing companies) for consumers affected by Allcare's sudden closure. Although Allcare clinics suddenly closed in January, 2011, the company did not file for bankruptcy until November, 2011. 8. Personal Service Providers: Complaints regarding a company's failure to refund, cancel a contract, or deliver services are included in this category. 9. Mail Order: Failure to deliver merchandise, unsolicited merchandise, and contest deception complaints make up this category. Lottery and fraudulent check scams are also included in this category, and continue to target seniors. 10. Contractors and Home Improvement: This category includes complaints about dissatisfaction with contractors, failure to deliver, and problems with warranty issues. Copyright © 2012 State of Michigan Published: Mon, Mar 12, 2012