Top Ten Consumer Fraud List Unveiled by New York Attorney General

Internet scams and credit complaints – including abusive debt collection– topped the list of 2011 consumer fraud complaints released recently by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The Attorney General’s Office analyzed the consumer complaints received from across the state throughout 2011. For the second year in a row, the highest number of complaints involved the Internet, closely followed by credit-related complaints regarding debt collection, credit card billing, and identity theft.

Indeed, abusive debt collection has grabbed headlines in recent months including consumer complaints against Santander Consumer USA – one of the nation’s largest subprime auto lenders – for its unfair debt collection tactics against borrowers with late or missed car loan payments.

The “Top 10 Consumer Fraud Complaints” identified by the Attorney General’s Office for 2011 were:

• Internet privacy issues, spyware and consumer frauds

• Credit fraud, including abusive debt collection

• Vehicle purchases, leasing and rentals

• Consumer services like catering

• Landlord problems

• Mortgage and foreclosure scams

• Retail sales complaints, including gift cards

• Home repair

• Mail-order frauds

• Telecommunications abuses on phone and cell services

“Arming consumers with information is the best defense against frauds and abuses," said Schneiderman. “It is important for consumers to not only know their rights online, but how to seek justice."

If you or a loved one has been wronged by abusive debt collection or other types of consumer fraud, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a consumer fraud lawyer may be able to help you.