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| Don't Let the Bad Guys Ruin Your Work |
If a company or contractor has scammed you and you don’t
want to pay an attorney, there are alternatives. Solutions exist that don’t require hiring an attorney.
If a contractor has ripped you
off and particularly if several people are affected, the attorney general’s office for your
state accepts complaints in the consumer protection division. You complete the
complaint form and the consumer protection office contacts the company or
person for a response. You get a reply from the AG’s office if the contractor
or individual responds. If the consumer protection division receives several complaints, it may file suit, but usually the claims are settled.
Here are some instances when the consumer protection
division of the attorney general’s office for the state has been helpful:
An item purchased from Arizona didn’t arrive within 30 days.
Filing a claim with the consumer protection division of the Arizona attorney
general’s office got the item and an apology.
A promise of a $50 bonus for financing a computer never
arrived, and the financing company didn’t meet expectations. A complaint to the
AG’s office in Texas brought a response and a credit.
A news report a few weeks ago showed a family with a roofing
job that wasn’t completed. The couple said they couldn’t afford an attorney and
thought that a news report would shed light on the issue and maybe get the roof
completed. This couple could have filed a complaint with the consumer
protection division of the AG’s office to get a response from the roofing
company.
Sometimes the Better Business Bureau can be helpful as well.
Also, if you’ve been defrauded on the Internet, file a complaint with http://www.ic3.gov, the Internet Crime Complaint
Center. You can read more information about the ICCC here: http://www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.html
Your local Small Claims Court also accepts claims without an attorney,
although there is usually a filing fee. Your County Attorney or Sheriff’s
Department may also help you with ideas or information to get action or your
money refunded.
Send all correspondence by mail and keep a copy for your
records.
If the activity takes place through the U.S. mail, you may file with
the postal service for mail fraud. Here’s some information about filing with
the USPS if you’ve been scammed or received deceptive information through the
mail: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactus/filecomplaint.aspx
Don’t let the cost of an attorney or lack of knowledge make
you a victim. Act immediately in writing and pursue all free or inexpensive
avenues to get action. You can do this!
See you again soon,
Linda
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