Top 10 Consumer Complaints Include Automobile and Home Repair / Construction

BALTIMORE, MD ( September 1, 2009) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today released the 2008 top 10 list of consumer complaints as compiled by the Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. Complaints about automobiles and home repair construction are common complaints to Attorneys General offices across the country.

“With the country in the midst of a recession and more and more homeowners facing the prospect of foreclosure, consumers need to be on high alert now more than ever,” said Attorney General Gansler. “The Office of the Attorney General is a great resource for citizens when it comes to obtaining the information necessary to be a savvy consumer.”

Top 10 Complaints in the Office of Attorney General for Maryland:

1. Health
2. Automobiles
3. Home Repair and Construction
4. Retail Sales
5. Telecommunications
6. Loans
7. Landlord-Tenant and Mobile Homes
8. Internet
9. Furniture, Appliances, and Home Furnishings
10. Debt Collection

State Attorneys General have primary responsibility in their states for the enforcement of their states’ consumer protection laws. Every state has a consumer protection statute prohibiting deceptive acts and practices, including those that happen online. Attorneys General can take action against businesses that commit fraud in such areas as debt collection, auto sales and repair, telemarketing and misleading advertising.

National Top 10 Consumer Complaints for 2008:

1. Debt Collection
2. Auto Sales
3. Home Repair/Construction
4. Credit Cards
5. Internet Goods and Services
6. Predatory Lending/Mortgages
7. Telemarketing/Do-Not-Call
8. Auto Repair
9. Auto Warranties
10. Telecom/Slamming/Cramming

The 2008 national consumer complaints list is generated from survey responses completed by the offices of the Attorney General and tallied by the NAAG Consumer Protection Project.

Maryland consumers can file a complaint with Attorney General Gansler’s Consumer Protection Division at (410) 528-8662 or toll-free in Maryland at 1-888-743-0023. Complaints may also be filed online at www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/complaint.htm.