Consumer Protection
Patrick has a record of standing up for consumers and is committed to protecting Rhode Islanders consumers from unscrupulous businesses and swindlers.
In 2009 alone, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit took more than 9,500 telephone calls, a number that surpasses the total from 2008. Additionally, as of October, the Unit has received more than 1500 written requests for assistance.
The most common complaints involved identity theft, automobile purchases, debt collection practices, telemarketing swindles, landlord/tenant disputes, home improvement projects, and banking/credit lending matters.
Under his watch, the Consumer Protection Unit has launched investigations involving closed businesses, telecommunications companies, retailer disputes, and medical contracts.
In 2006, the Attorney General’s office reached an agreement with Ameriquest Mortgage Company that resulted in $3 million to be disbursed to Rhode Island consumers – making it one of the largest consumer protection settlements in state history.
Through the unit’s Senior Outreach Program, consumer protection advocates visit senior centers and senior high-rises throughout Rhode Island in an effort to protect elders from scammers and schemers. Through the efforts of the Unit’s investigators who work hard to promote the office, the Senior Outreach program has visited 157 venues in an effort to protect Rhode Island consumers in 2009.
As Governor, Patrick will continue to fight to ensure that consumers are treated fairly by businesses and are protected from those who seek to take advantage of unsuspecting Rhode Islanders.
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