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Top 10 Tennessee consumer complaints 2015
JULY 22, 2016 at 1:57 p.m.
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs has released results of a national survey conducted by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) of the top 10 consumer complaints. Phony IRS agents and other imposter scams topped the list of fastest-growing complaints to state and local consumer protection agencies last year.
Thirty-three consumer agencies (including the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs) from twenty-one states participated in the survey, which asked about the most common complaints they received in 2015, the fastest-growing complaints, the worst complaints, new kinds of consumer problems, agencies’ biggest achievements and challenges, and new laws that are needed to better protect consumers.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs released its own list of top 10 complaints received last year. They include:
1. Utilities. Problems with billing and maintenance were the most common.
2. Home improvement. The most common complaints related to quality of work, incomplete work after receiving payment, and structural damage caused by the contractor.
3. Debtor/Creditor. Consumers complained most that collection agencies often make harassing phone calls or continuously call individuals who do not owe a debt to the company.
4. Professional services. Common complaints include the quality of service, charges for service the consumer did not receive, and problems redeeming gift certificates for services offered.
5. Health services and products. Most common complaints include being misquoted for services and receiving medical bills prior to the bills being sent to the consumer’s insurance company.
6. Landlord/Tenant. The most common complaints related to security deposits and the conditions of the rental property. Many consumers complained about mold.
7. Timeshares. The most common complaints reported high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentation of the contract, and resale scams.
8. Insurance. Most consumers complained about policy coverage and claims.
9. Auto Repair. Most consumers report auto repair companies that return vehicles to the consumer in a worse condition than how it was initially given to the company for repairs.
10. Scams. Consumers reported various types of scams, including tax scams, sweepstakes scams, tech support scams, government grant scams, credit card scams, money order scams, and more.
In 2015, the Division of Consumer Affairs received more than 4,000 complaints and recovered both services and funds for Tennessee consumers through its mediation process.
Published July 22, 2016 |
