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* Attorney General Lisa Madigan released her list of top ten consumer complaints in 2014 today…
1. Consumer Debt (mortgage lending, debt collections, credit cards) 3,655
2. Identity Theft (fraudulent credit cards and utility accounts, bank fraud) 2,617
3. Telecommunications (wireless service, local phone service, cable/satellite) 2,162
4. Construction/Home Improvement (remodeling, roofs/gutters) 1,900
5. Motor Vehicles/Used Auto Sales (as-is sales, financing, warranties) 1,305
6. Promotions & Schemes (sweepstakes, pyramid, work-at home scams) 1,199
7. Mail Order (Internet purchases, catalog ordering, television/radio) 868
8. Fraud Against Business (consulting, directories/publications) 762
9. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair (collision/body, engines) 608
10. Utilities (electric, natural gas/propane, water/sewer, waste removal) 566
* From a press release…
“Identity theft has long been a top concern for Illinois residents,” Attorney General Madigan said. “But in light of last year’s massive data breaches, it is clearer than ever that much more must be done to protect sensitive data while ensuring that people know when their information has been compromised and what they should do to minimize the damage.”
Madigan’s office received 21,791 complaints in 2014. For the seventh year in a row, consumer debt ranked as the top complaint filed with Madigan’s Consumer Protection Division, with 3,655 complaints involving issues such as mortgage lending, abusive debt collection practices and predatory payday loans. Number two on the list for the seventh year is identity theft, with Madigan’s office receiving 2,671 complaints.
While identity theft has long been a top complaint to the Attorney General’s office, Madigan attributed last year’s ranking to the numerous major data breaches reported in 2014, which many have termed “The Year of the Data Breach.” Madigan’s office is leading multi-state investigations into the data security practices of a number of entities that have suffered breaches, including Target and Neiman Marcus.
To help Illinois residents, Madigan’s office has an Identity Theft Unit and Hotline (1-866-999-5630), run by a team of experts who provide one-on-one assistance to victims of identity theft and data breaches. Since the creation of the hotline, the Attorney General’s office has helped remove more than $27 million worth of fraudulent charges on over 37,000 Illinois consumers’ accounts.
Madigan also has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in recent years to stress the urgent need for stronger laws to address the epidemic of data breaches nationwide, including her testimony last month on Capitol Hill about the importance of strong data notification laws both at the federal and state levels.
In Illinois, Madigan recently drafted legislation to strengthen the state’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Originally passed in 2005 at Attorney General Madigan’s direction, PIPA made Illinois among the first states in the country to require entities that suffer a data breach to notify Illinois residents if the breached information included residents’ drivers’ license numbers, social security numbers, or financial account information. Since the law’s enactment, the extent of sensitive information collected about consumers has expanded and the threat of data breaches has increased significantly, necessitating the need to update and strengthen the state’s law.
Madigan’s bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Daniel Biss and Rep. Ann Williams, will expand the type of information that requires a company to notify consumers of a breach, including medical information outside of federal privacy laws, biometric data, geolocation information, sensitive consumer marketing data, contact information when combined with identifying information, and login credentials for online accounts. The bill also requires entities holding sensitive information to take “reasonable” steps to protect the information and requires entities to notify the Attorney General’s office when breaches occur. Madigan said her office would create a website that lists every data breach that affects Illinois to increase awareness among residents.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 11:21 am
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Cash is king. Don’t give out your numbers unless you absolutely have to. Some whiz kid out on the Intertubes has the ability to tune you up.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 11:25 am
She’s smart and focused. Heads are nodding as you read this.
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 11:28 am
I’ve had two credit card number changes due to breeches in store databases. Both of my children have had problems with purchases using stolen credit card information. This is a major problem. We hear about private sector and federal efforts to deal with security, I don’t hear much about State security efforts. Knowing the state’s fiscal problems, I fear we’re looking at a severe problem ready to explode.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 11:36 am
– Both of my children have had problems with purchases using stolen credit card information.–
Rephrase?
Comment by anonlurker Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:19 pm
anonlurker, thanks. Yes, I do need to rephrase. They had problems with others using their credit card information to purchase information. Thankfully, the banks were able to protect them from financial loss.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Predatory lending and collection thrive when 75% live pay check to paycheck slavery is freedom.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:39 pm
I’ve never even complained to her office about my issues with Comcast and stolen ID issues.
Her numbers would be up about 1% if I had.
The Federal Gov’t reclassified communications companies as utilities a few years ago.
And, unlike other states, Illinois makes it very easy for criminals to use stolen ID’s to initiate cable television accounts since they do not make new users present ID’s as they do in other states.
Comment by Belle Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Gravitas is a Latin word, familiar to Spanish speakers.
Gravitas is what Garcia needs to project to win next month.
What Kirk did was confirm what I have been saying is Emanuel’s strong point. If Garcia wants to win, he will need to begin projecting gravitas as well. Combined with the emotions he is generating within Chicago voters, Garcia can beat Emanuel.
Gravitas is all Emanuel has going for him, Senator Kirk. A problem however, is gravitas cannot be cornered in a campaign unless one of the candidates makes it a point not to show any of it.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Some of these figures seem low to me. Especially only 2617 folks who reported identity theft. I guess most must report at the local level.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Just a sec, there is a guy on the phone from microsoft. Microsoft detected a problem on my compiter and took the time to call me to help fix it. Now where is my credit card……
My wishlist for bills a law that requires phone companies to block all calls from unlisted numbers, blocked caller id and spoofed phone id’s. They some phone comlanies already have this, they all should.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 3:06 pm
What a long press release discussion about the #2 complaint.
How’s her office working to address #1?
Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 4:20 pm