Top 10 Things Brighton Residents, Michiganders Complained About in 2015

Credit and financial concerns — including debt collection tactics, credit repair, payday lending and mortgage brokering — topped the list of consumer complaints in 2015, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said.

Schuette released the Top 10 list of consumer complaints in 2015 ahead of the 18th annual observance of National Consumer Protection Week, March 6-12. The list catalogs the nearly 9,000 written complaints filed with the attorney general's consumer protection team in 2015.

A total of 1,137 complaints were received under the broad category of credit and financial concerns, including specific complaints like credit reporting and collection, non-bank credit agencies, and installment finance companies.

Complaints on debt collection and credit reporting accounted for the majority (872) of the total complaints. Consumers often voice concerns regarding aggressive debt collection tactics used by debt collection agencies.

As part of the Michigan observance of National Consumer Protection Week, Schuette’s office will host two free seminars on phone, mail and e-scams. They are:

Monday, March 7, 12:05 to 12:50 p.m., at Cadillac Place – Room L150; 3068 West Grand Blvd., Detroit.

Lansing: Tuesday, March 8, 2016, from 12:05 to 12:50 p.m., G. Mennen Williams Auditorium; 525 West Ottawa St., Lansing

Now, here’s the list:

1. Credit and Financial Concerns: The top complaint category for 2015 held on to the spot that it has had since 2006, generating 1,137 complaints in a variety of areas including debt collection, credit repair, payday lending, and mortgage brokering. Schuette’s Consumer Alert on Debt Collection and Debt Collection Scams details prohibited debt collector practices and provides tips on avoiding scams and disputing bogus debts.
2. Telecommunications, Cable, and Satellite TV: Moving up from the third spot in 2014, this category includes complaints involving issues like robocalls, telemarketing, wireless communications, and cable and satellite TV services. Complaints in these categories exceeded 900 in 2015.
3. Retail: Moving up from the fourth spot, this category includes complaints about merchandise quality, warranty, and pricing disputes.
4. Motor Vehicle and Automobiles: Moving up from the No. 5 spot in 2014, disputes with used car dealers topped this category, with other top complaints involving motor vehicles and car bodies, new car dealers, and repair shops.
5. Internet: Moving up two spots from No. 5 in 2014, complaints in this computer-based category numbered more than 500. Almost half of these complaints involved online purchases while other complaints include fraudulent email solicitations and issues with internet service providers.
6. Personal Service Providers: Staying at No. 6, complaints in this category range from dating services and beauty shops to home security and health and fitness organizations.
7. Landlord and Tenant: Moving up one spot, this category had more than 400 complaints. A majority of the complaints in this category involved apartment owners and managers.
8. Gasoline, Fuel, and Energy: Not surprising with this year’s lower gas prices, this category dropped down from last year’s number two spot, with complaints against gasoline service stations dominating this category in 2014.
9. Contractors: Moving up a spot from year's list, are complaints about landscaping services, special trade contractors, and residential building construction services.
10. Health Service Providers: Dropping down one spot from 2014, this category involves complaints about different health service providers like doctors, dentists, hospitals, and medical clinics.

The Attorney General’s Office offers six free, 45-minute seminars on: Identity Theft; Phone, Mail & e-Scams; Online Safety; Investment Fraud; Home Repair and Improvement; and In-Home Care & Senior Residences.

In 2015, 734 seminars were provided throughout Michigan. If you want to host a presentation, complete a registration form. If you are interested in attending a presentation, please review the calendar of events to determine when we will be in your community.

How to File Complaints

Schuette encourages any residents with questions or concerns to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division toll-free by calling (877) 765-8388. To file a consumer complaint, Michigan residents can submit an online complaint through the Attorney General's website or mail a letter explaining the problem and desired resolution to: Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, Consumer Protection Division, P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909.

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