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State Releases Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2012

Story Published: Mar 5, 2013 at 3:07 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 5, 2013 at 3:07 PM EDT

When it comes to consumer fraud, New Yorkers most often complain about internet scams.

That's according state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The AG released a list of the top ten consumer fraud complaints received by his office in 2012.

At the top of the list were internet-related beefs.

The AG said his office received 4,096 reports of internet scams last year.

Credit-related complaints involving debt collection, credit card billing and identity theft came in at number two on the list.

The AG said that the nearly 3,200 credit-related complaints, more than half of them, 1,760 to be exact, were filed against debt collectors who illegally threatened and harassed consumers.

Rounding out the top five consumer complaints are related to:

- automobile buying, leasing, repair, service contracts and rentals
- consumer-related services such as security systems, restaurant/catering services, tech repairs and dating services
- landlord/tenant issues                   

In addition, Schneiderman said his office continues to receive a large number of mortgage-related complaints.

With more than 1,500 complaints, mortgage-related issues ranked 6th on the list.

To see the list of scams most reported by New Yorkers as well as tips on how to avoid them in the future, click here.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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