STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Fraudulent internet scams from data privacy and security companies, digital media, internet service providers and manipulation was the number one consumer complaint made to the Office of the Attorney General in 2021.
“From inaccurate turnaround times for COVID-19 test results to deceitful debt collectors, scammers took advantage of these difficult times to mislead and deceive New Yorkers,” said Attorney General Letitia James.
James’ office released a list with the top 10 consumer complaints received by her office last year and internet-related scams accounted for 8,346 complaints.
The top 10 complaints made in 2021 were:
- Internet – 8,346; internet services and service providers, data privacy and security, digital media, data breaches, frauds through internet manipulation.
- Landlord/tenant – 3,144; security deposit releases, tenant-harassment.
- Retail sales – 2,678; price gouging, defective merchandise, poor customer service, pet stores, and animal breeders.
- Consumer-related services – 2,610; COVID-19 testing facilities, alarm companies, dry cleaners, restaurants, movers, services for personal household use.
- Automobile – 2,283; sales, services, financing, and repairs.
- Credit – 1,539; debt collection, credit card billing, debt settlement and debt relief, payday loans, credit repair, credit reporting agencies, and identity theft.
- Utilities – 1,145; wireless and residential phones, energy servicers and suppliers, cable and satellite.
- Home…
