Home Improvement, Imposter Scams Top Iowa 2017 Complaint List

While home improvement troubles topped the list of complaints consumers filed with the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division in 2017, followed by imposter scams, insurance still made it into the top 10, the AG’s office announced.

Out of approximately 2,961 written complaints filed in 2017, 224 related to home improvements.

While imposter scams are second on the list for written complaints at 161, thousands more consumers contacted the Consumer Protection Division to report the scams but did not file complaints.

Imposter scams, which generally occur through phone calls or emails, involve someone who pretends to be someone they’re not, and the scammer seeks immediate payment. Imposters make wide-ranging fake claims, including IRS agents collecting overdue tax payments, relatives who need money for an emergency, people who seek processing fees for prize winnings, or long-distance companions who need cash.

“Imposter scams are by far what Iowans report the most — these calls come in every day,” Attorney General Tom Miller said. “Don’t wire money or provide money card or gift card numbers to anyone over the phone who wants you to pay now.”

Internet service providers and internet/media bundles rounded out the top three complaints at 136.

Source: Iowa Attorney General’s Office