Iowa Attorney General fielded 3,700 consumer complaints in 2023. See the top categories.

Automotive complaints topped the list of 10 types of consumer complaints received by the Iowa attorney general’s office last year.

The office fielded 3,700 complaints across 30 different industries and types of scams, said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird in a news release.

There were 637 automotive-related complaints relating to faulty repair work, complaints regarding warranty plans and servicing and failure to disclose prior damage in the sale of used cars.

Warning signs you may be getting scammed include surprise recommendations for complicated car repairs or the seller being reluctant to produce a used car’s history, according to Bird's office.

Other top complaints related to home improvement and health care. See what made the list, why and what recommendations the state attorney general’s office has to avoid fraud or scams.

9 of the top Iowa consumer complaints filed in 2023

Internet

• Number of complaints: 341

• What: People experienced hacked social media accounts or scams on social media and filed complaints about billing and service disputes with internet service providers, technical-support scams and more.

• How to prevent this: Vet online sellers, meet at secure locations and avoid prepaying to prevent online marketplace scams.

Home improvement

• Number of complaints: 336

• What: Contractors failed to start or complete jobs, quality issues, issues with sale, installation and financing of solar panels and more.

• How to prevent this: Request itemized estimates of the expected work, conduct thorough research on the contractor, seek referrals from trusted people in your life and avoid paying large amounts of money upfront.

More: Fewer bad contractors are being prosecuted. How to protect yourself before making a hire.

Imposters

• Number of complaints: 244

• What: Fake job offers, online shopping scams, romance scams, IRS/Social Security scams and lottery scams.

• How to prevent this: Do business with established sellers, avoid sending money electronically to people you haven’t met, and know that law enforcement and government agencies will never threaten arrest for refusing to give info or pay over the phone nor will they ask you to pay with a gift card.

More: Women accuse Iowa online dater of stealing more than their heart

Home goods and services

• Number of complaints: 230

• What: Complaints involving appliances, furnishings and electronics, including misleading or false advertising, faulty appliances, late delivery times and refusing to replace furniture and major appliances.

• How to prevent this: Avoid large down payments and conduct thorough research on a company before doing business.

Personal services

• Number of complaints: 222

• What: Complaints involve timeshare companies charging undisclosed fees or increasing fees for services, not providing property deeds after Iowans purchased timeshares and more. Travel complaints include flight delays and cancellations.

• How to prevent this: Though the state attorney general's office didn't provide a suggestion, the Federal Trade Commission, ftc.gov, has a webpage dedicated to tips on the topic of timeshares to travel including researching a company before attending any sales presentations related to a timeshare, asking about how you can cancel a contract for a timeshare and reviewing all paperwork regarding one.

Health care

• Number of complaints: 204

• What: Disagreements over health insurance payments, billing for healthcare services, deceptive treatments and more.

• How to prevent this: Consult with health care professionals, avoid medications that promise a quick fix and take note of risk-free money-back guarantee claims.

Loans

• Number of complaints: 180

• What: Stolen cards, fraudulent charges, potential identify theft, payday loans and more.

• How to prevent this: Monitor card purchases, freeze cards after noting irregular activity and report any fraudulent activity.

Housing and realty

• Number of complaints: 146

• What: Complaints involve rental housing, real estate sales, home building, mortgages, foreclosure scams and more. Complaints also include false or misleading information and hidden extra charges.

• How to prevent this: Become familiar with rental and lease documents, analyze property valuations, receive referrals from trusted people and verify the accuracy of all information on loan documents.

Miscellaneous

• Number of complaints: 194

• What: Complaints include employment, home safety devices and personal disputes.

How can I report a scam or file a consumer complaint in Iowa

• Consumer Protection Division: Visit iowaattorneygeneral.gov to file a consumer complaint. Complaints can be submitted online or you can print a complaint form and mail it.

• Iowa Fraud Fighters: Not sure which state agency can help? Visit iowafraudfighters.gov to find information on the types of reports each agency takes. Suggestions range from reporting investment schemes to the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services or elder abuse and financial exploitation to the Iowa Department on Aging.

• Federal Trade Commission: You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website to report a scam, a company or unwanted calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov. While individual reports won’t be solved by the FTC, it can help in investigating and bringing cases against fraud, scams and bad business practices, according to the FTC.

The Iowa Attorney General’s website also has tips on how people can protect themselves from fraud or scams across various industries including for-profit colleges and universities, phone scams, identity theft and more.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3,700 consumer complaints were filed in Iowa in 2023. How to file one