List of top consumer complaints in North Carolina released

RALEIGH, Wake County — The top 10 consumer complaints impacting North Carolina in 2019 have been released.

Attorney General Josh Stein recently list, based off of the almost 15,000 complaints the North Carolina Department of Justice received last year.

“Bad actors are always trying to use fear and confusion to take advantage of people,” says Attorney General Josh Stein. “Their actions are unconscionable and often illegal. My office will continue to investigate consumer complaints and do everything in our power to hold scammers accountable and make North Carolinians whole again.”

Stein says his office secured nearly $580,000 in consumer refunds last year, including more than $293,000 in refunds for elder fraud refunds.

The top 10 consumer complaints include:

1. Telemarketing/Do Not Call: Complaints related to robocalls, spoofed calls, and calls that violate the Do Not Call Registry,
2. Lenders/Credit: Complaints involving issues with mortgage lenders, creditors, debt adjusters, credit reporting and recovery, and collection agencies,
3. Motor Vehicles: Complaints including issues with car rentals, sales or purchases of new and used cars, and car repair issues,
4. Elder Fraud: Scams targeting older adults, including imposter and sweetheart scams,
5. Home Repair: These include home improvement scams, repair, construction, and care,
6. Health Care: Complaints include health services and products, and hospital, doctor and healthcare-provider services,
7. Cable TV/Satellite: Complaints related to cable TV and satellite service providers with a state-issued franchise,
8. Landlord-Tenant: Involving disputes over the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants,
9. Telecommunications: Complaints involving issues with cellular providers and other telephone companies,
10. Home Furnishings/Appliances: Complaints relating to issues with furniture companies and appliance repair.

Those who believe they or someone they know has been the victim of a scam are asked to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division online or by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.