Posted: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 12:00 am
Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers last week announced the state's top 10 consumer complaints for 2007, in connection with national Consumer Protection Protection week.
The list, showing the category, subcategories and number of complaints, is as follows:
1. Telecommunications, 1,018: Cable and satellite, 314; cellular, 271; internet service provider, 194; long distance, 102; local service, 56.
2. Financial institutions, 952: Credit cards, 411; mortgage brokers, 147; commercial banking, 104; real estate financing, 99; sales financing, 92; consumer lending, 43; credit unions, 21.
3. International money transfer schemes, 825.
4. Collection agencies, 719.
5. Motor vehicle sales, 577: new car dealers, 301; selling new cars, 175; selling used cars, 121; used car dealers, 229; RV, trailer, campers, 50; motorcycles, 21.
6. Internet retailers, 510.
7. Health related, 410: Weight loss programs, 138; physicians, 42; pharmacies/ drug stores, 35; dentists, 19; medical discount cards, 26.
8. Construction contractors, 266.
9. Internet auctions, 237.
10. Auto repair, 206.
DOJ is back in the "No Call" business as of June 18, 2007, after being effectively preempted by federal law and regulations since 2003. Oregonians are urged to register with the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or online at www.donotcall.gov. Registration is free and, after 31 days, most "cold calls" made to Oregonians on the list, with few exceptions, will violate both federal and state laws. Oregonians can then report violators to the Attorney General's office to be prosecuted in the state's circuit courts. In 2007, more than 17,000 "Do Not Call" complaints were filed by Oregon residents with the FTC.
Residents of Oregon are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available by calling the Attorney General's consumer hotline at 503-378-4320 (Salem area only), 503-229-5576 (Portland area only) or toll-free at 1-877-877-9392. DOJ is online at www.doj.state.or.us.