Seniors reminded that government agencies don’t phone for personal info

OLYMPIA – Rising mortgage payments have paved the way for scammers who peruse foreclosure listings. Grasping at any offer for help, their victims have paid for false promises, been cheated out of equity and, in severe cases, were tricked into transferring ownership of their homes.

Now, in an effort to shelter consumers from equity skimmers, the Washington Attorney General’s Office is using those same listings.

VANCOUVER -- The Attorney General’s Public Counsel Section, which represents the public in utility rate cases, wants NW Natural customers to tell state decision-makers what they think about the company’s proposal to raise rates.

OLYMPIA – Credit freezes are hot with consumer advocates concerned about identity theft and privacy protections. Starting this week, Washington residents have even more control over their credit files thanks to changes that are also helping more retailers warm up to the law.

OLYMPIA – One of the state’s most versatile employees never makes overtime, no matter how hard she works or how much danger she faces on the job. At just under five feet tall, she weighs 485 pounds and if she runs low on energy, she doesn’t always follow directions. Still, co-workers trust her with their lives.

Her name is Daisy — otherwise known as Andros F-6A, Washington State Patrol’s bomb squad robot.

This joint release was produced by the Office of Governor Chris Gregoire and the Office of Attorney General Rob McKenna

ABERDEEN – Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and AARP will visit Aberdeen on Thursday, Sept. 11, to promote identity theft prevention and assist the public in keeping sensitive documents out of the hands of crooks. LeMay Mobile Shredding will destroy papers for consumers and small businesses at no charge.

WHO: Mary Gould, Consumer Protection Outreach and Education Manager, Attorney General’s Office
Jean Mathisen, AARP Fraud Fighter Program Director

WHAT: Guard-It! Washington Community Forum and Shredathon

SEATTLE – A proposed pact would mean smaller electric and gas rate increases for Puget Sound Energy customers than those originally requested by the company.

The Attorney General’s Public Counsel Section, which protested PSE’s push to add millions in additional revenues, said parties have reached an agreement that is better for consumers.

“This is a reasonable compromise that will soften the impact to family budgets,” said Public Counsel Section Chief Simon ffitch.

McKenna’s office leading the online fraud fight, national report finds

WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Attorney General’s Office is at the frontlines in the fight against online fraud, according to a new report by the Center for American Progress and the Center for Democracy and Technology.

McCann Motors agrees to make amends with 79 luxury car buyers

FIFE – Lemon aid is on its way to 79 car buyers whose secondhand Hummers and Cadillac Escalades didn’t come equipped with a must-have feature – a notice that the cars were reacquired by their manufacturer under California’s Lemon Law then resold in Washington.