Top Ten Consumer Frauds of 2011-NY AG
March 6, 2012 4:04 PM
Phoning Home
Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
You’ve Got Mail
Online and catalogue mail-order purchases accounted for 1,064 complaints last year. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Home Improvement
Consumers reported 1,211 criticisms of fishy home repair and construction projects. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Mallrats
Retail sales, including gift cards, accounted for 1,219 complaints in 2011, and the AG’s office advises consumers to read the rules and conditions that apply when purchasing a gift card. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Rescue Me
Last year consumers lodged 1,597 complaints about mortgage rescue services, which offer to stop or delay foreclosure payments for a fee. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Apartment Therapy
The AG’s office received 1,908 complaints about landlords, including for residential repairs and deposit releases. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Party Poopers
Consumer services, including snow removal and party planning, accounted for 2,711 consumer complaints last year. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Vehicle Vexations
Auto sales, leasing, rentals and repair were at issue in 3,279 complaints last year. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Credit Capers
Credit frauds, including those involving debt collection and credit billing, accounted for 3,838 complaints in 2011. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
Surf’s Up
The Internet remains the top fraudster hotbed for the second year in a row. The AG’s office counted 4,006 complaints about internet-related scams in 2011. Grumblings about calling cards round out the top-ten list: consumers filed 1,017 consumer complaints in 2011. (Image: ThinkStock)
