Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser today kicked off National Consumer Protection Week in March by unveiling the list of the top 10 consumer complaints and inquiries his office received in 2021, which included unemployment insurance scams, retail sales related to COVID-19, and automotive sales and services. Last year, consumers filed 13,970 complaints and inquiries with the Consumer Protection Section in the Colorado Department of Law, a 15.1% increase from 2020.
CO Atty General Phil Weiser
“One of our foremost responsibilities is protecting consumers,” Attorney General Weiser explained. “National Consumer Protection Week is an important opportunity to educate consumers about our work, help them protect themselves, and put irresponsible actors on notice that we are committed to holding them accountable.”
National Consumer Protection Week, which this year runs March 6-12, is designated by the Federal Trade Commission as a time to help people understand their consumer rights and to make well-informed decisions about money. The attorney general’s office partners with the FTC to help raise awareness about Colorado scams and resources available.
The top 10 types of complaints and inquiries received in 2021 are: 1) Retail sales with 1266 complaints, 2) Unemployment Scams with 995 complaints, 3) Automotive Sales and Service with 758 complaints, 4) Professional and Other Related Services with 728 complaints, 5) Commercial and Residential Home Services & Repair with 727 complaints, 6) Vacation and Travel with 678 complaints, 7) Debt Collection with 532 complaints, 8) Health Care and Medical Services with 508 complaints, 9) Telecommunications with 490 complaints, & 10) Real Estate Sales and Services with 460 complaints.
The attorney general brought enforcement actions against several of the businesses that consumers reported to his office. If you notice any scams, fraud, price gouging, or other attempts to take advantage of Coloradans, contact Stop Fraud Colorado at 800-222-4444 or www.StopFraudColorado.gov.