Top Consumer Debt Complaints in Illinois


In early March, Illinois and the rest of the country will find itself in National Consumer Protection Week. In “recognition” of this week, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issues a press release that summarizes an annual “top ten list of consumer complaints.” Last year, the Consumer Protection Division received more than 26,000 complaints from Illinois residents. We’ll have to wait a couple of weeks to have a clear idea about the number and type of complaints from 2013.
In the meantime, if you have questions about consumer fraud or debt harassment, you shouldn’t hesitate to speak to an experienced Illinois consumer protection lawyer.
Illinois Debt Top Ten
For the past five years, consumer debt was the number one complaint among Illinois residents, and that didn’t change last year. According to Madigan, the many consumer debt complaints “reinforce the financial challenges that continue to plague Illinois residents amid economic uncertainty.”
What kind of complaints fall into the consumer debt category? According to the press release from Illinois Attorney General, the category includes:
·      Residential mortgage lending complaints;
·      Debt collections; and
·      Credit card issues.
Last year, the number of complaints in these three areas rose by nearly 30 percent in 2011, and they made up more than one-third of all the consumer complaints collected by the Attorney General’s office in 2012.
Madigan explained that, each year, her office “hears from thousands of people who’ve found themselves on the wrong end of a deal.” As such, she emphasized how “it’s now more evident than ever that even the most commonplace financial transactions have become complex and fraught with risks, putting the burden on consumers to arm themselves with as much information as they can before they sign on any dotted lines.”
A number of Illinois residents also lodged complaints against institutions of higher learning. In 2012, the Attorney General’s office had to expand its categories to include “complaints against schools, including for-profit colleges.” In fact, the office recorded more than 1,300 complaints against colleges in our state, most of which concerned “unfair and misleading practices,” such as “deceptive lending practices.” For-profit schools appeared to be the primary offenders. Other complaints included those related to identity theft, telecommunications, online scams, and business fraud.
What is National Consumer Protection Week?
According to its Steering Committee, the National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a “coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions.” Each year, the week takes place in early March. For 2014, it will run from March 2 through March 8.
How can consumers get involved? The NCPW partners with national and state-specific organizations across the country to urge consumers to participate in and develop consumer-awareness events. For example, Illinois residents might think about engaging in some of the following activities:
·      Contributing to community outreach efforts: this can involve addressing the press and blogging about consumer protection events.
·      Using social media: use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms to get the word out about consumer protection.
·      Create your own events and market them through press releases, flyers, and newsletters in your community.
NCPW hopes that the more consumers know about educational events and activities, the better they will be able to protect themselves against consumer financial burdens and scams.
Consumer Protection Lawyers Can Help
At the Emerson Law Firm, our Chicago consumer protection lawyers know how difficult it can be to deal with debt, fraud, and other serious issues affecting Illinois residents. Laws exist to protect consumers against unfair debt collection practices, and it’s important to have a dedicated attorney who will fight for your rights. Contact us today to discuss your case.
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