The Tennessee Attorney General's Office Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has released its annual report highlighting the top ten consumer complaint categories for 2024. This announcement coincides with National Consumer Protection Week.
In 2024, DCA received a total of 8,536 formal consumer complaints. The division is responsible for routing these complaints to appropriate agencies or mediating them directly. Their informal mediation process aims to resolve disputes related to consumer financial transactions involving products, goods, or services for personal use. Through this voluntary mediation program, consumers recovered over $3 million in cash, merchandise, and services last year.
The top category for complaints was Home Improvements/Repair & Home Warranties, which accounted for 684 complaints. This category remained unchanged from its ranking in 2023 and includes issues such as warranty coverage disputes and structural damage caused by contractors.
Health Services & Products rose to second place with 675 complaints. Issues often involved billing inaccuracies and service price misquotations by health service providers like hospitals and dental offices.
Landlord/Tenant issues dropped to third place with 614 complaints, primarily concerning security deposits and rental conditions.
Internet Sales saw an increase in complaints, rising to fourth place with 520 entries. Complaints frequently involved problems with refunds or products not being delivered after purchase through online platforms.
Other notable categories included Personal & Professional Services (495 complaints), Debtor/Creditor issues (490), Motor Vehicle – Repairs & Warranties (483), Motor Vehicle—Used Sales & Advertising (482), Motor Vehicle – Lease/Towing/Rental/Parking (413), and Timeshares/Vacation Clubs (406).
Beyond handling complaints, DCA actively engages in consumer education by delivering presentations and distributing materials. In 2024, they doubled their efforts to prevent scams targeting older adults by conducting presentations at senior centers across Tennessee. Those interested can request a speaker via email at consumer.affairs@ag.tn.gov.
Consumers can access the online complaint form and educational resources on the DCA website at www.tn.gov/consumer.