Schneiderman Releases Top Ten Frauds Of 2016
To mark the start of National Consumer Protection Week, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is releasing the list of top ten consumer fraud complaints received by his office in 2016.
For the 11th year in a row, internet-related complaints topped the list with 4,605 complaints.
Other top complaints included automobile, consumer-related services, utilities, landlord- tenant disputes, utilities, credit, retail sales, home repair/construction, mortgage and mail order.
The AG's office also continues to receive complaints about two common scams -- the IRS scam and the Grandparents scam -- which target consumers by phone.
“This serves as a reminder: fraudsters are always looking for ways to line their pockets at the expense of unsuspecting consumers,” said Schneiderman. “The best weapon against scams is an informed consumer – and the law. I encourage New Yorkers to report fraud, and my office will continue its long tradition of vigorously enforcing New York’s strong consumer protection laws.”
Schneiderman is urging New Yorkers to report fraud to his office at ag.ny.gov or by calling 1-800- 771-7755.