The Five Top Consumer Complaints
Here are the top five complaints from a survey of state and local agencies from 19 states.
Problems with car dealers, home contractors and retailers topped the list of consumer complaints in 2019, according to an annual survey by Consumer Federation of America (CFA). The survey, which included 31 state and local agencies from 19 states, asked about the most common, fastest-growing, worst and newest complaints agencies fielded last year. Here are the top five complaints. For the full list, go to consumerfed.org.
1. Auto: Misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars; deceptive financing practices; defective vehicles; faulty repairs; car leasing and rental problems; towing disputes.
2. Home Improvement/Construction: Shoddy work; failure to start or complete a job; failure to have required licensing or registration.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
3. Retail Sales: False advertising and other deceptive practices; defective merchandise; problems with rebates, coupons, gift cards and gift certificates; failure to deliver.
4. Landlord/Tenant: Unhealthy or unsafe conditions; failure to make repairs or provide promised amenities; deposit and rent disputes; illegal eviction tactics.
5. Credit/Debt: Billing and fee disputes; mortgage problems; credit repair and debt relief services; predatory lending; illegal or abusive debt-collection tactics.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Shrink From Highs as CPI Looms
The Nasdaq hit a new record early Tuesday but drifted lower into the closing bell.
By David Dittman Published
-
Tax Pros: Is Someone Fraudulently Using Your IRS PTIN?
Tax Filing An unmonitored preparer tax identification number (PTIN) can lead to serious issues.
By Kelley R. Taylor Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
How to Find Foreclosed Homes: Best Foreclosure Listings Sites
Making Your Money Last Find foreclosed homes for sale on these foreclosure listing websites. Search for properties on these free, paid or government sites.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
Luxury Home Prices Rise as the Rich Dodge High Mortgage Rates
Luxury home prices rose 9% to the highest third-quarter level on record, Redfin reports, growing nearly three times faster than non-luxury prices.
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
-
How to Figure Out How Much Life Insurance You Need
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Last updated
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime Day
Smart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Last updated
-
Amazon Big Deal Days Is Coming! We’ve Got All the Details
Amazon Prime To kick off the holiday season with a bang, Amazon Big Deal Days runs Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9.
By Bob Niedt Last updated