Consumer Law

US Census Scams: When Fraudsters Dig Deeper

Posted on February 27, 2017
Time and time again, Washingtonians are taken advantage of by scammers who continually develop new, complex ways to con people.  One scam that is particularly difficult to identify is the United States Census Scam.

Call-Blocking Technology!

Posted on August 13, 2015
Have you ever been in the middle of something and gotten a call from a number you didn?t know? Have you answered the phone only to realize it?s not even a person on the other side of the line? Are you tired of listening to prerecorded messages trying to sell you something from a telemarketing company that you want nothing to do with? Every year thousands of people deal with the same issue as you, but change may be coming!

Be wary of your ATM!

Posted on July 14, 2015
Strange contraptions known as ?skimmers? are targeting ATM users, and the AGO wants you to be prepared. When attached to your ATM, the device can be used to steal your credit card information, capture your pin code, and send the information wirelessly via Bluetooth or cell phone text...

Shop SuddenValues.com? You may be eligible for a refund

Posted on June 30, 2015
Consumers who purchased an item from Wenatchee based company SuddenValues.com between November 1, 2010 and July 31, 2015 may be eligible for a refund.

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AG Ferguson visits 50th Rotary

Posted on June 18, 2015
Attorney General Bob Ferguson today marked his 50th visit to a Washington Rotary as Attorney General.

AG files charges against caregiver who billed Medicaid while client was in jail

Posted on May 13, 2015
Yesterday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced charges against a Snohomish County caregiver for claiming pay for care while her client was in jail.

Is your donation making it to Nepal? Charity scams and tips on smart giving

Posted on April 30, 2015
Natural disasters, such as the devastating earthquake in Nepal, often result in many looking for ways to help those in need.  

Not sure whom to trust with your student loan debt? We don?t blame you.

Posted on April 08, 2015
Yesterday, our office announced that AG Ferguson filed a lawsuit against StudentLoanProcessing.US (SLP), a student loan debt adjusting firm, and its president James Krause for violating Washington?s Debt Adjusting Act and Consumer Protection Act.

Premera has been hit by hackers. What?s next?

Posted on March 19, 2015
Earlier this week, Premera/Blue Cross announced that they have been the target of a major data breach.

It?s National Consumer Protection Week! The AGO and BBB offer tips to avoid being scammed

Posted on March 03, 2015
Better Business Bureau is partnering with the Washington State Attorney General?s Office for National Consumer Protection Week, March 1-7.

Scammed at the Super Bowl?

Posted on February 09, 2015
No, I don?t mean by that last heartbreaking play, I?m talking about your tickets. There have been several reports of fans that purchased tickets from brokers that ended up not having tickets to sell at all.

S&P to pay $21.5 million to Washington state to settle charges

Posted on February 05, 2015
Nearly two years after Standard & Poor's was accused of using deceptive practices leading up to and in the years following the Great Recession, S&P has agreed to settle charges totaling approximately $1.4 billion.

Attorney General stops deceptive car ads

Posted on December 23, 2014
Deceptive car advertising will not be not tolerated, period. That is the strong message the Washington state Attorney General?s Office sent to car dealers Sound Ford of Renton and Evergreen Ford of Issaquah.

Spokane credit card processing scammer Merchant Services Direct pays up!

Posted on December 02, 2014
Merchant Services Direct LLC (MSD), also known as Sphyra, LLC, is paying the price for their dishonest business practices.

Cyber Monday: Tips to shop safely online

Posted on December 01, 2014
If shoppers don?t find the deals they seek on Black Friday, ?Cyber Monday? is an opportunity to shop from the comfort of their own home. Online retailers promote the Monday after Thanksgiving as a day for exceptional bargains. Here are some tips for shopping safely online:

CUSTOMER ALERT: Corporate Annual Minutes Form

Posted on December 01, 2014
This consumer alert was published by the Office of the Secretary of State The Secretary of State?s Corporations and Charities Division is receiving a large number of calls from customers regarding a form received in the mail from the following company:

AG Ferguson seeks to protect consumers from mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts

Posted on December 01, 2014
Attorney General Bob Ferguson became one of 15 Attorneys General from across the country to encourage the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to regulate mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer agreements for financial products or services.                            

Holiday shopping season is in full swing! Tips for taking on ?Black Friday?

Posted on December 01, 2014
?Black Friday,? the day after Thanksgiving, is known to be one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Blockbuster savings entice consumers to spend their hard-earned money. Every year, the Office of the Attorney General releases tips to help Washington consumers arm themselves with information to savvy shoppers as they walk through the mall doors...

Microsoft tech support scammers are at it again!

Posted on October 30, 2014
Tech scammers have been around for years and while some companies are caught, new ones continually pop up claiming to be popular and trusted software companies.

Skip the tricks this October and treat yourself to a few cyber-protection tips from the AGO and BBB

Posted on October 30, 2014
Save yourself some scary surprises this October by being extra careful online. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and as part of a global cybersecurity awareness campaign, Better Business Bureau and the Washington State Attorney General?s Office are partnering with STOP...

Hyped up "travel deals give" consumers a bad trip

Posted on August 11, 2014
Many Washingtonians, especially in the Seattle area, have notified the AGO that they have received postcards promising complimentary flights and discounted travel. After further investigation, the AGO has found that the postcards offer nothing more than overpriced access to common, easily-accessible travel agency memberships...

Toyota doesn't fess up, gets slapped with $1.2 billion fine

Posted on March 20, 2014
The federal government today levied a record $1.2 billion penalty against Toyota for misleading the public and government regulators about the company?s problems with unintended acceleration in its vehicles caused by floor mat and ?sticky gas pedal? issues...

National Consumer Protection Week puts focus on ways AGO can help consumers

Posted on March 05, 2014
<p>A key priority for the Washington State Attorney General?s Office is to safeguard consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices.</p> <p>During <a href="http://www.ncpw.gov/" title="National Consumer Protection Week">National Consumer Protection Week</a>, March 2-8, the AGO wants to highlight multiple ways the office can help consumers from an informal complaint resolution service to suing bad actors and providing scam prevention tips...

Have You Heard About Tax Identity Theft?

Posted on January 14, 2014
Ready for tax season? If you haven?t heard about tax identity theft, you may not be. Tax identity theft happens when someone files a phony tax return using your personal information ? like your Social Security number ? to get a tax refund from the IRS...

Cyber Monday consumers: Tips to shop wisely online

Posted on December 02, 2013
Building off the momentum of Black Friday, Cyber Monday has quickly become the biggest online shopping day of the year. Retailers across the country entice consumers with deep discounts. These post-Thanksgiving sales may offer great deals, but the Attorney General?s Office (AGO) encourages consumers to click ?buy? with caution...

Black Friday shoppers: Be savvy, not sorry by following these simple tips

Posted on November 27, 2013
After families have stuffed themselves full of turkey on Thanksgiving Day, they head to bed, and often wake before dawn for the biggest shopping day of the year. Black Friday is known for its blockbuster savings that entice consumers to spend their hard earned money...

Maintain state power to protect public from toxic chemicals in products

Posted on November 26, 2013
This special to the Bellingham Herald was published November 20, 2013. By Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson You might reasonably assume that the federal government regulates and tests most of the chemicals found in our children?s toys, household products, and other consumer goods to make sure they are safe...

Prevent deadly drowsy driving

Posted on November 13, 2013
Gov?ernor Jay Inslee proclaims Nov. 1?1-17, 2013 as Washington State Drowsy Driving Prevention Week ?   Getting behind the wheel while tired or sleepy is not a crime like driving drunk. But it can be just as dangerous, and just as deadly.

Give cautiously in wake of Typhoon Haiyan disaster

Posted on November 13, 2013
  Avoid donation scams In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, email scams which solicit the wiring of money to stranded victims in the Philippines are surfacing. Willing donors should give cautiously over the next few weeks.  

Protect yourself from cybercrime

Posted on October 21, 2013
Today's world is more interconnected than ever. Yet, for all its advantages, increased connectivity brings increased risks of theft, fraud and abuse. The Attorney General?s Office would like to remind you to protect yourself against cybercrime and get educated about the resources available to victims...

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