Attorney General Gansler Challenges Marylanders to
Test Their Consumer IQ

Attorney General Douglas Gansler reminds all Marylanders that today is the start of National Consumer Protection Week, and challenges Marylanders to test their consumer IQ to highlight this year’s theme: “Be an Informed Consumer.”

“Informed consumers are able to make wise decisions when it comes to purchasing products and services,” said Attorney General Gansler. “From knowing your rights as a consumer to recognizing the latest scams, there is a wealth of information available to make sure you do not become a victim of fraud.”

Consumers can take the quiz, “What’s Your Consumer IQ?” by checking out www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/consumerquiz.pdf. The publication asks consumers what they would do in common scenarios, from disputing a phone bill charge to trying to get a security deposit back from a landlord. Consumers can check their answers and then find out more information on questions they may have gotten wrong by checking out the Consumer Protection Division’s publications at www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/edunit.htm.

Attorney General Gansler’s Consumer Protection Division received 13,897 complaints from Maryland residents in 2006 and, through its mediation efforts, helped those residents obtain $4,618,319.61 in financial relief. The top ten complaints in 2006 were:

• Automobiles - Sales, Repairs and Rentals
• Retail Sales
• Internet Goods and Services
• Home Repair / Construction
• Health Fraud
• Financial
• Telecommunications
• Furniture, Appliances and Home Furnishings
• Mail Order Sales
• Landlord - Tenant, Mobile Homes

The National Consumer Protection Week campaign, “Read Up and Reach Out: Be an Informed Consumer,” encourages people across the country to take advantage of the wealth of information that can enhance confidence in the marketplace.