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For a third year in a row, complaints regarding home repair and remodeling top the list of written consumer complaints filed to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, according to a press release.

The list of complaints filed last year comes in light of National Consumer Protection Week, which aims to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams.

Last year, the Attorney General’s Office received a total of 19,450 written complaints, in addition to tens of thousands of phone calls, according to the office.

Complaints about identity theft moved up to the second spot on the list.

The complaints filed by consumers included concerns over breaches of their information, credit cards being taken out in their names and government benefits stolen by impersonators.

In regard to home repair and remodeling work, the Attorney General’s Office says homeowners reported being dissatisfied with the quality of work, as well as a failure by companies to conduct any work after receiving a down payment.

Below are the top 10 written consumer complaints received by the attorney general’s office last year:

1. Construction/Home Improvement
   • Remodeling, roofs and gutters, heating and cooling, plumbing
   • 2,091 complaints
2. Identity Theft
   • Credit cards, data breaches, utilities, government document fraud
   • 1,885 complaints
3. Consumer Debt
   • Residential mortgage lending, banks/financial institutions, collection agencies
   • 1,683 complaints
4. Motor Vehicle/Used Auto Sales
   • As-is used cars, financing, advertising, warranties
   • 1,678 complaints
5. Promotions/Schemes
   • Phone scams, work-at-home scams, lottery scams, investment schemes, phishing
   • 1,343 complaints
6. Internet/Mail Order Products
   • Internet and catalog purchases, TV and radio advertising
   • 1,249 complaints
7. Telecommunications
   • Cable and satellite TV, telemarketing, wireless phones, phone service and repairs
   • 932 complaints
8. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair
   • Collision, engines, oil changes and tune-ups
   • 831 complaints
9. Motor Vehicle/New Auto Sales
   • Financing, defects, advertising
   • 647 complaints
10. Government Agencies
    • Local agencies, state agencies, federal agencies
    • 513 complaints

Tips to Avoid Scams

Consumers should be wary of unsolicited contacts via phone calls, texts or social media messages, even those that appear to be sound or look like someone they recognize, according to Attorney General Kwame Raoul. He is also reminding consumers to be vigilant about their personal information, particularly online, and to avoid using the same passwords for multiple accounts.

He also emphasizes the importance for homeowners to research contractors before making any payments or signing contracts. Click here for more information from the Raoul's office about homeowners’ rights and tips to help avoid home repair fraud.

Click here for more tips to safeguard against scams from the Better Business Bureau.

Filing a Complaint

Illinois residents who believe they have been the victim of fraud can file a complaint online or by contacting the Attorney General’s Office.

Chicagoans also have the option to submit a consumer fraud complaint by calling 311 or filing a complaint online to the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Last year, BACP said it responded to nearly 1,500 complaints, the most common of which was towing, followed by home repair fraud and motor vehicle repair fraud..

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]