 In 2011, for the fourth consecutive year, consumer debt complaints
ranked No. 1 on the attorney general's annual top 10 list of
complaints. Of the nearly 5,900 debt-related complaints, more than
1,100 were filed against debt collectors who illegally threatened
and harassed consumers.Madigan said the complaints and calls to
her office demonstrate the extent to which consumers are struggling
to pay off debt and are being targeted by abusive, aggressive debt
collectors. Abusive debt collection is a growing problem nationally,
Madigan noted, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting its top
complaint was abusive debt-collection practices.
"As this difficult economy persists, honest, hardworking families
are increasingly targets for debt collectors that operate outside
the law," Madigan said. "Though consumers may be struggling under
the weight of debt, they still have the right to be protected
against illegal harassment and fraud."
"The Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints from
consumers who allege a troubling trend in the debt collection
industry," said Steve Bernas, Better Business Bureau of Chicago
president and CEO. "According to these consumers, certain debt
collection companies are attempting to collect debts that these
consumers don't owe or have previously paid off. We support the
efforts of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to protect
consumers."
In addition to consumer debt, Madigan said other categories that
topped her list of complaints involved identity theft and home
repair. In 2011, more than 200,000 consumers contacted Madigan's
office for assistance and a total of 24,516 formal complaints were
filed.
The top 10 consumer complaints for 2011
|
Category |
Number of complaints |
|
1. Consumer debt (mortgage
lending, debt collections, credit cards) |
5,878 |
|
2. Identity theft (fraudulent
credit cards and utility accounts, bank fraud) |
3,207 |
|
3. Construction, home
improvement (remodeling, roofs and gutters) |
2,263 |
|
4. Telecommunications (wireless
service, local phone service, cable and satellite) |
1,903 |
|
5. Motor
vehicles, used auto sales (as-is sales,
financing, warranties) |
1,160 |
[to top of second column] |
|
6. Promotions
and schemes (sweepstakes, pyramid, work-at-home
schemes) |
953 |
|
7. Mail order (Internet
purchases, catalog ordering, television and radio) |
944 |
|
8. Fraud against business (consulting,
directories and publications) |
843 |
|
9. Motor vehicle, non-warranty
repair (collision and bodywork, engines) |
737 |
|
10. Utilities (electric,
water, natural gas and propane, waste removal) |
574 |
Top 10 fact sheet
For more information, visit Madigan's website,
www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov, or contact her range of
hotlines about issues ranging from home foreclosure to identity
theft:
[Text from
news release received from the office
of
Illinois Attorney General Lisa
Madigan]
 |
