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Communications complaints top Morrisey’s 2020 list of consumer gripes

CHARLESTON — Communications issues topped the list of consumer complaints in West Virginia yet again, and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday that was no different in the northern part of the state.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced the top consumer complaints received in 2020 from Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Doddridge counties. Communications issues made up several spots on the list.

The No. 1 complaint from the area came with internet services, while telephone services came in at No. 4, cable television at No. 5 and cell phone devices and services at No. 6. As for the rest of the nine-item list, roofing made the list at No. 2, general sales at No. 3, airlines at No. 7, home repairs at No. 8 and sanitary systems and plumbing at No. 9.

“Our office’s Consumer Protection Division works tirelessly to review consumer complaints of all shapes and sizes,” Morrisey said. “Our office recognizes its role to vigorously protect consumers from scams and predatory business practices. Our attorneys and staff work diligently to resolve consumers’ complaints.”

The list was assembled from written consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Protection Division. The tally does not include phone calls from consumers who did not follow up with a written complaint. It also does not include reports of scams.

Communications complaints remained the top consumer concern statewide for a second consecutive year, accounting for more than a fifth of all complaints filed. Automotive and motor vehicle issues also remained steady at second statewide, followed by general sales complaints.

Morrisey encouraged consumers to educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities so they do not encounter similar problems.

Though the list does not include scams, that topic remains a frequently reported consumer issue. The Attorney General’s Office warned consumers they should always be wary if a business uses high-pressure sales tactics, refuses to put terms in writing or demands the consumer surrender personal information, such as a Social Security number or banking information.

Consumers who believe they may have been the victim of a scam or taken advantage of should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg at 304-267-0239 or visit the office online at www.wvago.gov.

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