This is National Consumer Protection week (March 1-7).
South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg says the Division of Consumer Protection receives an array of complaints each year. The Top Ten Consumer Complaints received by the office in calendar year 2019 are:
1. Retail Sales
2. Landlord/Tenant
3. Credit Reporting
4. Auto
5. Health Fraud
6. Travel
7. Home Repair
8. Internet Goods
9. Telemarketing-Do Not Call
10. Predatory Lending
Ravnsborg says the Consumer Protection Division works hard to educate South Dakotans on how to detect fraud and what their next steps are. Recognition and notification are the first steps to prevention. He says his office has more information available at www.consumer.sd.gov.
For anyone who does not have easy access to a computer or if a hard copy of consumer information is preferable, you can get a copy of the new Consumer Protection Handbook sent to you free of charge. To request a copy, email consumerhelp@state.sd.us or call 1-800-300-1986.
The Office of the South Dakota Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Protection are committed to helping all South Dakotans avoid falling victim to scams and this is a good week to remind consumers to stay vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves.
