Credit and Money Matters

The Attorney General’s Office worked with a bipartisan coalition in 2008 to pass legislation to help protect financially strapped homeowners from equity skimming and foreclosure rescue scams. A bill passed by the Legislature today updates last year’s foreclosure rescue law to make sure that any homeowner who wants to sell their home rather than face foreclosure is able to find a real estate agent. ....

A number of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s legislative priorities have survived the March 12 deadline to move out of the legislative house of origin and are scheduled for public hearings next week. These include several bills to safeguard consumers.

Last week, I answered a call during KHQ’s Help Center from a man who paid $2,000 to a company that promised to help lower his debt. The business reportedly claimed to have a “secret method that the government doesn’t want you to know about.” While a come-on like that should make you roll your eyes, some other businesses that are more subtle in their approach are just as worthless. ...

KING 5 interviewed me for a story about liquidation sales.

When you turn up the thermostat or click on the lights, thank Simon ffitch. ffitch – whose unusual surname is often a subject of discussion – is chief of the Attorney General’s Public Counsel Section, a part of our office that represents residential and small business customers in utility rate cases. His job is to make sure you don’t pay more for electricity, natural gas or phone service than you should.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division released its annual Top 20 list of consumer complaint categories today in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week. Complaints about phone companies held pole position for the 12th consecutive year. That seems like a good reason to rerun last year's tips on choosing a wireless phone plan. We've also included a few links to resources that rate cell phones and plans.

Washington consumers filed 25,197 written complaints with the Attorney General’s Office in 2008 – the greatest number since 2002. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division released its annual Top 20 list of consumer complaint categories today in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week. Gripes about health care businesses and commercial banks moved into the top 10 and telecommunications maintained its stronghold as the industry to generate the most criticism. That seems like a good reason to re-post last year’s consumer protection week tip on how to select a wireless phone.

The Attorney General’s Office is suing an Everett-based collection agency accused of harassing, threatening and cussing at consumers.

In November 2008, we posted a story about the Utilities and Transportation Commission’s decision to pull the operating permit for All My Sons, a Kent-based moving company. The agency cited deceptive business practices and numerous violations. Apparently the Sons didn’t get the message because they kept right on moving.

Thinking about renting a home? Then you should also be thinking about renter’s insurance.