02/07/2007

To mark National Consumer Protection Week, County Executive Andy Spano today released a “Top 10 List” of consumer complaints in Westchester County and touted the success that the Department of Consumer Protection has had in resolving them.

 “The Department of Consumer Protection fights hard to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers,” said Spano. “I am proud to announce that the department recovered over $717,000 for consumers in 2006, an increase of 53 percent over the prior year.”    
 Complaints about home improvement and repairs, gas stations and small retailers were atop the list of nearly 1,500 complaints received by the county.  Next on the Top 10 list were problems with automobile sales and service, food stores and professional services.

 “This analysis highlights areas where consumers need to be especially careful,” said Gary Brown, director of Consumer Protection. “But if you have a problem, you don’t have to fight it alone.  The Department of Consumer Protection can help, and there is no fee for our services.”

The $717,000 recovered includes cash refunds, billing credit for overcharges, delivery of lost or delayed merchandise, and completion of paid-for services such as home improvement work. 

 The theme for National Consumer Protection Week this year is “Read Up and Reach Out: Be an Informed Consumer.” 
 As part of consumer week, the county’s Shred Mobile – a large shredder to get rid of residents’ personal documents -- is on the road. It will be in White Plains and Croton. Go to www.westchestergov.com for details,   

The department’s website, www.westchestergov.com/consumer, receives over 5,000 hits a day and offers detailed information on topics such as how to prevent ID theft, tips on joining a health club and how to avoid the latest scams.  The website also has a searchable database of licensed home improvement contractors and a regularly updated survey of gasoline and home heating oil prices throughout the county.

In addition, the department conducts public education campaigns on important issues such as how to reduce junk mail and telemarketing calls, how to prevent home heating oil spills caused by overfilled oil tanks,  and new protections for consumers such as the law which allows people to “freeze” their credit report to help prevent identity theft.

Through its Weights and Measures Division, the department also inspects and certifies the accuracy of all weighing and measuring devices used in the marketplace, including supermarket scales and scanners, gasoline pumps and heating oil delivery meters.

To receive further information or to file a consumer complaint, log onto the  department’s website, www.westchestergov.com/consumer, or call 914-995-2155.

WESTCHESTER’S TOP 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
1. Home improvement and repair
2. Gasoline sales (pricing, pump accuracy, gasoline quality)
3. Small retailers
4. Automobile sales and service
5. Food stores (pricing, scanner accuracy, outdated merchandise, rain checks)
6. Professional services
7. Furniture sales
8. Mail order/Internet order
9. Utilities (electric, gas, cable TV)
10. Department stores