Chattanooga, TN – In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) revealed the top ten consumer complaint categories for 2024. The division processed 8,536 formal complaints last year, handling disputes related to consumer financial transactions, including purchasing products, goods, or services. DCA routes complaints to the appropriate agencies or works to mediate the issues between consumers and businesses.

Throughout 2024, DCA’s voluntary mediation program facilitated over $3 million in recoveries, including cash, merchandise, and services, benefiting consumers.

The most reported complaint categories in 2024 are as follows:

Home Improvements/Repair & Home Warranties: 684 complaints
This category saw a consistent volume of complaints, with issues involving home warranties, contracting services, and poor-quality work. Complaints often centered around incomplete work and damage caused by contractors.

Health Services & Products: 675 complaints
An increase from 2023’s third spot, this category includes disputes with health service providers, hospitals, and dental offices, as well as issues with health products like hearing aids. Complaints frequently involved inaccurate billing and misquoted service prices.

Landlord/Tenant: 614 complaints
Complaints regarding rental agreements dropped in ranking but remained significant. Common issues included disputes over security deposits, rental conditions, and responsiveness to repair requests.

Internet Sales: 520 complaints
A rise in complaints about online shopping reflected dissatisfaction with products or services purchased online. Many complaints involved issues with returns, refunds, and non-delivery of items, particularly after purchasing through social media advertisements.

Personal & Professional Services: 495 complaints
Complaints in this category increased, covering services such as health clubs, hairstylists, locksmiths, and photographers. Consumers reported issues with service quality, charges for services not received, and problems redeeming gift certificates.

Debtor/Creditor: 490 complaints
A decrease from 2023, this category addresses issues like debt collection, payday loans, and credit repair. Consumers often complained about unfair practices and account management problems.

Motor Vehicle – Repairs & Warranties: 483 complaints
Motor vehicle repair complaints continued, with consumers reporting delays in repairs and issues with available parts. Dissatisfaction with vehicle warranties was also common.

Motor Vehicle—Used Sales & Advertising: 482 complaints
This category dealt with complaints regarding used vehicle purchases, including disputes over vehicle condition, title issues, and misleading advertisements.

Motor Vehicle – Lease/Towing/Rental/Parking: 413 complaints
Complaints related to vehicle leasing, towing, rentals, and parking fell in ranking but continued to generate significant concern among consumers.

Timeshares/Vacation Clubs: 406 complaints
A notable increase in complaints about timeshares and vacation clubs pointed to high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentations of contracts, and resale scams.

DCA’s ongoing efforts to mediate these complaints reflect its commitment to consumer protection and ensuring that Tennessee residents have a fair opportunity to resolve disputes and recover damages.