North Carolina’s consumer protection division fields questions and complaints about virtually any topic of interest to residents across the state. If you can buy it or use it in the state of North Carolina, the consumer protection division gets feedback about it. In total, the office received 21,879 complaints during 2010. That’s about 85 complaints each day. (It’s a busy office.)
According to an article in the News & Observer, State Attorney General Roy Cooper kicked off National Consumer Protection Week with a list of the Top 10 complaints received by the office during 2010. Topping the list for the sixth year in a row was:
#1: Health Care. This includes complaints about health insurance, medical providers, and health products. (For help with health insurance grievances, appeals, and external reviews, call Managed Care Patient Assistance Program at (919) 733-MCPA or (866) 867-MCPA; email MCPA@ncdoj.gov.)
Rounding out the list are:
- Lending, such as high interest rates, prepayment penalties, and late payment charges.
- Do Not Call/Telemarketing Calls.
- Telemarketing Fraud.
- Credit & Collections.
- Motor Vehicles.
- Home Furnishings.
- Home Construction/Repair.
- Television Services.
- Telecommunications.
By understanding the top complaints, consumers may avoid their own costly problems, including false promises, frauds, and scams.
“Unfortunately a down economy doesn’t discourage scammers, especially those who promise to help you get out of debt, negotiate a lower mortgage payment, get a job or make money working from home,” Cooper said in a press release.
