Thirty-eight state and local consumer agencies handled 908,595 consumer complaints last year, recovering $2 billion in lawsuits, mediation and other actions, according to an annual survey from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).
Each year, state and local agencies find new consumer issues, according to the CFA report. Last year, there was a surge in unusual complaints about title pawn companies and illegal evictions of elderly tenants because of hoarding. There were also so many internet and telephone infractions reported that “Communications” had to be added as a category in the most recent report.
The scope of consumer complaints has also become more complicated, according to the CFA. For example, more people are looking for help after being robbed by a buyer or seller they met through an app.
Forty agencies from 23 states participated in the CFA survey and provided information regarding the most frequent complaints they receive.
These, according to the CFA, are the most common consumer complaints from 2017:
10. Home Solicitations
The most common complaints during home solicitations were misrepresentations by salespersons, abusive sales practice, and failure to deliver items. Consumers also reported excessive telemarketing, postal mail solicitations and do-not-call violations, according to the report.
9. Faulty Household Goods
Consumers frequently reported the faulty repair of furniture and appliances—more specifically, issues with the repair of expensive appliances like refrigerators, and ovens were common. The CFA recommends getting all guarantees in writing and reading them carefully before any work is done.
8. Issues With Health Products And Services
Misleading claims, unlicensed service providers and issues with medical billing were common among consumers. Unlicensed collection activity in connection with medical bills was also a problem, according to the report. Consumers should be wary of collection companies who refuse to provide their identity or say whom they are collecting on behalf of, the CFA said.
7. Problems With Telecoms
Residents reported receiving misleading offers from telecommunication companies, service problems and billing disputes with phone and internet services. This category was previously bundled into utilities, but received so many complaints it was placed into a category of its own.
6. Home Contracting Issues
Reports of shoddy low quality work from contractors were a top complaint in the services category. The failure to appear to scheduled appointments and having no valid license were also issues consumers faced when having services performed.
5. Landlord/Tenant Issues
Tenants reported property owners failing to make repairs and provide promised amenities; illegal eviction acts; and issues with deposits and rent.
4. Issues Related To Credit, Debt
Disputes regarding billing, fees, mortgage modifications, mortgage-related fraud, credit repair, debt relief services, predatory lending and illegal or abusive debt collection tactics were all reported by consumers. For example, some lenders found a loop-hole that allowed them to structure their products as open-ended lines of credit. In Maryland, a bill has since been approved to close the loophole.
3. Retail, Sales Issues
The sale of defective merchandise and issues with rebates, coupons, gift cards and gift certificates were issues for shoppers. The CFA advises reading the fine print on receipts, warranties and rebates.
2. Home Improvement Issues
Frequently, workers fail to show up to carry out home improvement projects, don't complete the job or carry out unsafe work, according to the report.
1. Automotive Sales, Maintenance And Repair Issues
The most common consumer complaint was regarding the advertisement or sales of new and used cars, the sale of "lemons," faulty repairs, auto leasing problems, and towing disputes. The CFA recommends consumers keep in contact with shops while their vehicles are being worked on and take notes regarding each conversation they have with the mechanic.
The full report can be viewed here.