FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
March 1, 2019
For media inquiries only, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces
Top Consumer Complaints in Alabama During 2018
March 3-9 is National Consumer Protection Week
(MONTGOMERY) — Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the top five
categories of complaints from Alabama consumers received by his office’s Consumer
Interest Division over the last year. They are complaints involving: 1. Automobiles, 2. Online Purchases, 3. Debt Collection, 4. Cable and Satellite Services, and Landlord/Tenant Issues. The total number of consumer complaints in 2018 was 2,710.
“While National Consumer Protection Week is a time to remind everyone to be on
guard against scams and fraud, my office is focused on consumer protection year-
round,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall. “My Consumer Interest Division staff
works hard to help consumers resolve disputes with businesses as well as investigate
incidences of fraud. Not every case necessarily involves illegal activity, however, my
office is always available to assist consumers with questions about potential scams and
unscrupulous business practices.”
Attorney General Marshall’s office maintains a consumer protection hotline, 1-800-392-
5658, to take reports of fraudulent activity and to provide information and tools to
equip consumers to protect themselves. Alabamians may also file a complaint online at
http://ago.alabama.gov/ConsumerComplaint.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Interest Division cannot serve as an individual’s
private attorney or provide consumers with legal advice. However, in many instances,
the Attorney General’s Office has been successful in mediating complaints to the
mutual satisfaction and benefit of the consumer and the business. If circumstances
warrant, the Attorney General may initiate legal action, either civil or criminal, to
represent the interests of the State of Alabama and to enforce the various laws designed
to protect consumers from con artists and unscrupulous practices by businesses.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us