Attorney General Charity Clark has disclosed the top consumer complaints received by Vermont's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2024. This announcement coincides with National Consumer Protection Week. The primary issues reported were related to vehicles, home improvement, and retail, accounting for nearly half of all complaints.
Clark also unveiled CAP’s 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a record recovery and savings of over $2 million for Vermont consumers. "Vermonters should know that they have rights as consumers, and the Consumer Assistance Program is free and here to help navigate consumer problems that arise," stated Attorney General Clark.
The list of top complaints remained similar to previous years, but there was an increase in fuel-related disputes. These rose from tenth place in 2023 to fourth in 2024. CAP addressed 63 propane-related complaints and responded to 68 inquiries concerning the "Propane Rule."
Auto and home improvement issues topped the complaint list again this year. To tackle home improvement concerns more effectively, CAP hired a specialist in July 2023. Since then, more than $800,000 has been recovered or saved for homeowners.
Businesses also benefited from CAP services through the Small Business Initiative (SBI), filing 69 complaints last year with recoveries exceeding $550,000. SBI offers outreach on topics like flood resources and scam prevention.
Vermonters facing consumer issues are encouraged to contact CAP for assistance at any stage of their problem. The data collected aids legislative decisions on consumer protection laws and informs educational efforts.
For further information or assistance, Vermonters can reach out via phone at 1-800-649-2424 or visit ago.vermont.gov/cap.