It's national consumer protection week, and it's good time to focus on how to avoid scams and ripoffs.
If something goes wrong, there are places to turn for help with these issues. In addition to contacting our Call 4 Action office, there are a lot of other great resources.
Consumer Problem or Complaint? Contact CALL 4 ACTION
Some of the best places to start are on the websites for the Federal Trade Commission (FDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. These two agencies take a lot of consumer complaints on a daily basis and they do a great job of not only listening but helping people to exercise their rights and get money back.
They also provide some excellent consumer information and tips on their sites about the latest scams and how to make well informed financial decisions.
Some of the top complaints the agencies typically get year after year are imposter scams. Some pose as government agencies or well known businesses, and they try to trick people into parting with their cash.
Other top complaints are identity theft, problems with telecommunications, contractors, medical products and services, landlord-tenant issues and vehicle purchases and repair.
Younger populations tend to fall for more scams but people in their retirement years tend to lose more money.
For help with education, resources or mediation of consumer problems you can contact Call 4 Action here or by calling 414-967-5495. Their office is open Tuesday thru Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or you can leave a message for them to get back to you.
