Top 10 scams Alabama consumers complain about

—

March 4, 2015

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Attorney General’s office maintains a consumer protection hotline where any Alabamian can call in and let them know if they run into any scams or fraudulent activity.

Last year the AG’s office received thousands of calls from consumers reporting complaints.

“Alabama consumers should always be on alert to consumer scams and fraud and if they have questions about a suspicious offer or transaction they are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection,” said Attorney General Luther Strange. “When appropriate my office also can mediate disputes between consumers and businesses.”

The AG’s office compiled all of the calls they received last year and found they tended to fall into specific categories.

Here are the top 10 types of complaints the Alabama Attorney General’s office received in 2014:

1. Online scams
2. Debt Collection
3. Loans/mortgages
4. Auto (used)
5. Home Repair
6. Retail Purchases
7. Mail Order/Magazines
8. Satellite/Cable/ISP Service Disputes
9. Auto Repair
10. Landlord/Tenant disputes

While the Attorney General’s office cannot serve as a private citizen’s attorney, they have successfully acted as a mediator between parties for several consumers and businesses.

If a customer’s complaint shows a business severely broke Alabama law, however, the Attorney General can step in and bring the hammer down.

“If circumstances warrant,” the AG’s office says, “the Attorney General may initiate legal action, either civil or criminal, to represent the interests of the State of Alabama and to enforce the various laws designed to protect consumers from con artists and unscrupulous practices by businesses. When such action is taken, the Attorney General is authorized to seek restitution for the affected consumers, as well as injunctive relief, civil penalties and criminal penalties.”