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Consumer Protection

In 2011, the Consumer Protection Unit responded to:

  • 9,170 telephone calls
  • 1,730 written complaints
  • 729 e-mail inquiries
  • 148 walk-ins. 

The Consumer Protection Unit investigates and mediates consumer complaints concerning unfair and unlawful business practices and misleading advertising arising out of alleged violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.  If groups of people are victimized by a deceptive trade practice, the office may file a Civil Investigative Demand in Superior Court commencing a formal investigation.  In appropriate cases, a lawsuit to stop the illegal business practice may be initiated.

Apart from carrying out its statutory responsibilities, the Unit also provides information and referral services to the general public.  Consumers are directed to the appropriate governmental or private agencies for help in answering specialized questions or resolving disputes that are not within the Unit's jurisdiction.

In 2011, The consumer Protection Unit recovered $1,269,398.67 on behalf of individual consumers.

In 2011, the Unit responded to more than 9,170 telephone calls, 1,730 written complaints, 729 e-mail inquiries and 148 walk-ins. The Unit resolved 1,125 written complaints and recovered $1,269,398.67 on behalf of individual consumers. Of the amount recovered, $142,714.37 was money refunded to consumers and $1,126,684.30 was recovered as value- item replaced, billing reversed. The Unit referred 605 consumer complaints to other agencies. The Unit also registered telemarketers resulting in $3,200 and health clubs resulting in $4,730 in fees for the State during 2011.

Top 10 Consumer Complaints for 2011

1. Automobile Dealerships

2. Banking/Mortgage/Loan Issues

3 Landlord/Tenant

4. International Lottery/International Scam Offers

5. Debt Collectors

6. Legal Questions

7. Contractors

8. Telemarketing

9. Retailers

10. Insurance

The Unit provided approximately 150 outreach presentations to senior centers, community groups and organizations throughout Rhode Island in an effort to educate and protect Rhode Islanders from scam artists.

In addition, nearly 30 consumer alerts/advisories were issued during 2011. The consumer advisories covered such topics as travel scam offers, disaster relief scams, storm scams, phishing scams, mortgage modification scams, holiday shopping consumer tips as well as various recall alerts. The Office also issued letters to approximately nine companies regarding possible security data breaches and reminded the businesses of Rhode Island’s Identity Theft Protection Act.

The Office participated in National Consumer Protection Week that was held March 6-12, 2011. During the event, the Office partnered with Doc Shredding Corp. and provided five free shredding events throughout Rhode Island in an attempt to educate consumers, provide a safe way for consumers to discard documents and avoid possible identity theft issues.

In 2011, the Consumer Protection Unit continued its partnership with the Loan Modification Scam Alert Campaign and hosted free information events on foreclosure prevention as well as loan modifications cams.