Colorado consumers last year complained about debt-collector calls nearly three-times as frequently as the next highest beef, Attorney General Cynthia Coffman reported Monday.
Suspected fraudulent or unwanted email solicitations were the second-most-frequent complaint in 2104..
Overall consumers logged more than 8,600 complaints last year, a 10-percent increase from 2013, according to Coffman’s office.
“Coloradans are better informed about scams and fraud and more proactive in reporting abuse,” Coffman said in a statement.
In a common debt-collector scam, consumers will get a call from someone impersonating law enforcement or a government agency and use a threatening tone .
Trying to collect an alleged payday loan, the caller will offer some personal information, as well as threats of arrest, to pressure the consumer into sending money.
“Out of fear of prosecution, victims end up sending a settlement amount to the scammers using prepaid money cards to settle the alleged debt and allegations,” Coffman said.
The top 10 complaints were about:
1. Debt-collection companies 1,371
2. Fraudulent or unwanted/spam email 713
3. Mortgage lenders 556
4. Utility complaints (including television providers) 431
5. Fraudulent or unwanted telephone calls 295
6. Payday lenders 154
7. Automobile dealers 148
8. Real estate services 126
9. Internet shopping services 107
10. Telephone (cell phones and equipment) 103
David Migoya: 303-954-1506, dmigoya@denverpost.com or
