NATIONAL STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL PROGRAM: CONSUMER PROTECTION REPORT

December 2014

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CONSUMER PROTECTION REPORT: December 1 –31, 2014

This monthly newsletter describes consumer protection activity announced by

state attorneys general. This information was gathered solely from attorney general press releases. It makes no effort to prioritize or analyze the impact of any of these cases and initiatives.

The press releases are organized by state and multistate activity. In addition,

certain Medicaid fraud cases that touch on consumer protection and advocacy initiatives have been included.

If an office would like their activity to be included in subsequent newsletters, please notify attorneygeneral@law.columbia.edu.

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The National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia Law School is a legal research, education, and policy center that examines the implications of the jurisprudence of state attorneys general. Working closely with attorneys general, academics, and other members of the legal community, the program is active in the development and dissemination of legal information used by state prosecutors in carrying out their civil and criminal responsibilities.

For more information about the National State Attorneys General Program and resources, please visit our website www.stateag.org.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONSUMER PROTECTION CASES, SETTLEMENTS AND ADVOCACY

STATEMENTS ......................................................................................... 4

ARIZONA ........................................................................................................................ 4

COLORADO .................................................................................................................... 5

FLORIDA ........................................................................................................................ 5

MARYLAND .................................................................................................................... 6

MASSACHUSETTS .......................................................................................................... 7

MISSOURI ...................................................................................................................... 9

NEW JERSEY ............................................................................................................... 10

NEW YORK ................................................................................................................... 10

OHIO ............................................................................................................................ 13

PENNSYLVANIA ............................................................................................................ 15

SOUTH DAKOTA .......................................................................................................... 15

TEXAS ......................................................................................................................... 16

VERMONT .................................................................................................................... 16

VIRGINIA ..................................................................................................................... 17

WEST VIRGINIA ........................................................................................................... 18

MULTISTATE CASES AND SETTLEMENTS ............................................. 20

MEDICAID FRAUD CASES AND SETTLEMENTS ..................................... 23

ALASKA ....................................................................................................................... 23

ARKANSAS ................................................................................................................... 24

MARYLAND .................................................................................................................. 26

MASSACHUSETTS ........................................................................................................ 27

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MISSOURI .................................................................................................................... 27

WASHINGTON .............................................................................................................. 28

WISCONSIN .................................................................................................................. 28

CONSUMER ADVOCACY ........................................................................ 29

ALABAMA..................................................................................................................... 29

CALIFORNIA ................................................................................................................ 29

COLORADO .................................................................................................................. 30

CONNECTICUT ............................................................................................................. 31

DELAWARE .................................................................................................................. 31

FLORIDA ...................................................................................................................... 32

INDIANA ....................................................................................................................... 32

KENTUCKY .................................................................................................................. 33

LOUISIANA ................................................................................................................... 33

MARYLAND .................................................................................................................. 34

MASSACHUSETTS ........................................................................................................ 35

NEW YORK ................................................................................................................... 36

OREGON ...................................................................................................................... 36

TEXAS ......................................................................................................................... 38

VERMONT .................................................................................................................... 38

WEST VIRGINIA ........................................................................................................... 39

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CONSUMER PROTECTION CASES, SETTLEMENTS AND

ADVOCACY STATEMENTS

ARIZONA

December 9, 2014

Attorney General Tom Horne Files Lawsuits Against Arizona Moving

Companies

Attorney General Tom Horne has filed lawsuits against Allstars Movers and

Storage Inc., of Phoenix, and 3 Gorillas Moving and Storage, LLC, located in

Tucson.

In its complaints, the State alleges that Allstars and 3 Gorillas engaged in

numerous false, misleading, unfair, and deceptive acts and practices,

including:

Falsely representing the costs of their services to people seeking

estimates of moving and/or storage services;

Demanding payment when reaching moving destinations and refusing

to unload consumers’ property from trucks unless customers pay

higher rates;

Providing a claims process for damaged, destroyed, and/or lost items,

which is often impossible to comply with and misleading, with no real

ability for people to obtain reimbursements.

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-tom-horne-files-

lawsuits-against-arizona-moving-companies

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COLORADO

December 22, 2014

Attorney General John Suthers Charges Two More Foreclosure Law Firms

Wih Fraud.

Lawsuit alleges that firms inflated foreclosure costs for postings, court filings,

and title beyond the actual cost or the market rate of those services.

Attorney General John Suthers today announced civil law enforcement

actions against foreclosure law firms Robert J. Hopp & Associates and The

Hopp Law Firm, including its principal Robert Hopp and affiliated title

company National Title, and The Vaden Law Firm, including its principal

Wayne Vaden and affiliated title company City Park Title. The firms and their

affiliated businesses are accused of inflating foreclosure costs charged to

homeowners and others in violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act

and the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/press/news/2014/12/22/colorado_

attorney_general%E2%80%99s_office_charges_two_additional_foreclosure_law

_firm

FLORIDA

December 22, 2014

Attorney General Bondi’s Office Sues to Shut Down National Investment

Scheme

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office sued David Gothard, as well as other

companies Gothard created, for operating a national investment scheme that

used racketeering and other illegal activity to steal millions of dollars from

people across the country, many of whom were elderly. Attorney General

Bondi’s office is seeking all forms of civil relief, including restitution for

innocent investors, revocation of the defendants’ ability to transact business

in Florida, forfeiture of all of defendants’ property, and civil penalties.

According to the investigation, the defendants transferred patents among

themselves, and solicited investors based upon false representations

regarding the patents, the companies, and products. They then allegedly stole

investors’ money and continued to repeat their scheme. The investigation

revealed that Gothard and his company created fraudulent documents in

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FLORIDA CON’T

order to operate a patent assertion entity that collected millions from third

parties based upon false pretenses and fraudulent documents.

http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/E77AAA0CF9A620

4285257DB6006630C8

December 3, 2014

Attorney General Bondi and U.S. Attorney Sue For-Profit Chain of

Schools

Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of

Florida Wifredo A. Ferrer today sued Fast Train II Corp., a now defunct, for-

profit chain of schools formerly based in Miami. The complaint filed in federal

court against FastTrain and owner Alejandro Amor of Coral Gables alleges

that the company submitted and misled students to submit fraudulent

student aid applications in order to obtain millions of dollars in federal aid.

http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/A8337FA150AE51

C985257DA3006EEA36

MARYLAND

December 11, 2014

Attorney General Douglas Gansler Secures Settlement with Ad Firm that

Breached Internet Privacy.

PointRoll skirted consumers' privacy settings, placed cookies on Safari browsers

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer

Protection Division has entered into a settlement agreement with digital

advertising company PointRoll, Inc., resolving a six-state investigation into

whether the company violated consumers' privacy by unlawfully

circumventing the privacy settings in Safari web browsers. Central to the

settlement is PointRoll's agreement to change their practices to protect

consumers' privacy.

http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2014/121114.html

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MARYLAND CON’T

December 4, 2014

Attorney General Douglas Gansler Warns Consumers About New Twist on

Old Scam:

A Big Check Arrives by Mail, "Agent" Requests Partial Return of the Prize

Scheme uses fake "Publishers Clearing House" letterhead, promises a $75,000

prize and issues a worthless $4,216.74 check that ends up costing you $2,000

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today urged consumers to be on alert for

a scam that delivers to victims a fraudulent "Publisher's Clearing House"

letter informing them that they've won a $75,000 "second place prize." The

mailing includes a worthless check for $4,216.74 and a demand by scammers

that recipients send their own $2,000 check back to the company.

http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2014/120414.html

MASSACHUSETTS

December 30, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Announces Easton Man Pleads Guilty,

Sentenced to Jail in Connection with Stealing More Than $100,000 in

"Rent to Own" Scheme

Sentenced to Jail, Ordered to Pay Restitution to Victims in Full Amount of

$112,000

An Easton man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to jail in connection

with stealing $112,000 from customers in a “Rent to Own” advance-fee

scheme, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. He was

also ordered to make full restitution to his victims.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-30-guilty-plea-rent-to-own-scheme.html

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MASSACHUSETTS CON’T

December 15, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Announces Waltham Man Ordered to

Stop Engaging in the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law

AG Obtains Preliminary Injunction Prohibiting Defendant from Holding Himself

Out as an Immigration Attorney; Massachusetts Residents Inappropriately

Charged for Legal Advice

A Waltham man and his company have been ordered by a judge to stop

engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and to stop providing services

related to immigration matters, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced

today.

The complaint, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that since at least

2004, Gerson Barahona knowingly defrauded hundreds of Massachusetts

residents by falsely holding himself out as an attorney specializing in

immigration law, unlawfully charged his victims hundreds, or even thousands

of dollars for legal advice and services, and purported to represent them in

immigration proceedings without authorization or accreditation.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-15-barahona-pi.html

December 12, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Announces Salter to Pay Students

$3.75 Million Over Alleged Inflated Job Placement Rates, Misleading

Enrollment

Largest Settlement to Date as Part of AG Coakley’s Investigation of For-Profit

School Industry; Salter Must Also Provide Website Disclosures and Employment

Assistance to Students

A for-profit school will pay students $3.75 million to resolve allegations of

misrepresenting job placement numbers and using deceptive enrollment

tactics, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. A total of $3.5

million will be used to pay down student federal loans, as well as nearly

$250,000 in private loan relief and associated payments. That money will be

distributed as relief for certain students who attended health related

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MASSACHUSETTS CON’T

programs at specific Salter College and The Salter School campuses in

Massachusetts. This is the largest settlement to date as part of AG Coakley’s

ongoing investigation of the for-profit school industry.

Complaint file size 3MB

Consent Judgment file size 4MB

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-12-salter-college.html

December 8, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Announces TD Bank to Pay $625,000

to Address Data Breach Involving Thousands of Massachusetts Residents

TD Bank will pay $625,000 and must take steps to strengthen its security

practices after losing unencrypted back-up tapes containing personal

information for more than 90,000 Massachusetts customers, and delaying a

notice of the incident to the Attorney General’s Office and impacted residents,

Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-08-td-bank.html

MISSOURI

December 23, 2014

Attorney General Chris Koster Sues California Telemarketer For

Violating Missouri's No Call Law

Attorney General Chris Koster announced today that he filed a lawsuit against

California-based First Pacific Marketing, LLC, and its owner, Lindsay W.

Johnson, for violations of Missouri's No Call and Telemarketing

Laws. According to Koster, First Pacific employed robocalls to sell home

security systems to consumers registered on the state's No Call list, in

violation of Missouri law. The automated sales calls claimed that the FBI had

reported increased break-ins in the consumers’ neighborhoods to induce

consumers into purchasing First Pacific's home security product. Consumers

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who pressed a number to be removed from the company's calling list often

continued to receive unwanted calls. Missouri's Telemarketing law makes it

unlawful for companies to continue making telemarketing calls to those who

have asked for the calls to stop. Thirty-eight Missourians filed complaints with

the Attorney General's Office about calls received from First Pacific.

http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2014/AG_Koster_sues_California_NoCallLa

w/

NEW JERSEY

December 5, 2014

Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman Announces Car Dealer

Sentenced to Prison for Using False Titles to Sell Cars Damaged in

Superstorm Sandy to Unsuspecting Customers

Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that the operator of a

used car dealership in Middlesex County, N.J., was sentenced to prison today

for using fraudulent vehicle titles to sell cars damaged in Superstorm Sandy

to unsuspecting customers. A suspended Motor Vehicle Commission

technician who helped him obtain the fraudulent vehicle titles previously was

sentenced in the criminal scheme, and charges are pending against a former

salesman at the dealership.

http://nj.gov/oag/newsreleases14/pr20141205d.html

NEW YORK

December 16, 2014

A.G. Schneiderman Sues Papa John’s Franchisee For Underpaying

Employees At Six Locations

Lawsuit Alleges That Papa John’s Franchisee Emstar Pizza Inc. And Owners

Emmanuel Onuaguluchi And Uchenna Onuaguluchi Shaved Hours From

Workers’ Pay And Failed To Pay Proper Overtime To Hundreds Of Workers

Attorney General Obtains Temporary Restraining Order To Prevent Dissipation

Of Assets

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman yesterday filed a lawsuit in Brooklyn

County Supreme Court against Papa John’s pizza franchisee Emstar Pizza

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NEW YORK CON’T

Inc. and its owners, Emmanuel Onuaguluchi and Uchenna Onuaguluchi,

alleging that they significantly underpaid employees in violation of State Labor

Law. According to the complaint, the violations include shaving workers’ pay

by under-reporting hours and rounding down fractions of hours and

compensating them nothing for this work, as well as nonpayment of overtime

premiums. The lawsuit seeks to require that Emstar Pizza, Inc., Emmanuel

Onuaguluchi and Uchenna Onuaguluchi pay restitution and damages to

hundreds of employees who have worked for Emstar and its owners over the

past six years. The lawsuit also seeks to halt any ongoing illegal business

practices that are ongoing. In addition, the lawsuit seeks an accounting of

damages, because flaws and inaccuracies in the company’s records prevented

a swift and accurate restitution calculation. Yesterday afternoon, the Court

granted a temporary restraining order in order to prevent dissipation of the

employer’s assets.

http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-sues-papa-

john%E2%80%99s-franchisee-underpaying-employees-six-locations

December 11, 2014

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Settlement With Manhattan Doctor’s

Office For Alleged Deceptive Business Practices

Settlement Agreement Requires PATH Medical To Accurately Inform Patients

About Out-Of-Pocket Costs And Insurance Coverage For Medical Tests And

Services

Attorney General Schneiderman today announced an agreement with PATH

Medical, P.C., that requires the Manhattan-based business to ensure patients

receive accurate information about their financial responsibility before

undergoing medical testing and other services. The settlement with PATH

Medical, located at 304 Park Avenue South and owned by Dr. Eric

Braverman, the host of a weekly radio program that often promotes his

business, concludes an investigation by the Attorney General’s Health Care

Bureau that alleged PATH Medical misrepresented to patients how much of

the cost a health insurer was likely to cover, including for the extensive

testing PATH Medical routinely conducted on new patients.

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NEW YORK CON’T

http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-announces-

settlement-manhattan-doctor%E2%80%99s-office-alleged-deceptive

December 5, 2014

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Conviction Of NYC Nonprofit Director

Who Stole Nearly $900k From Charity

Yolanda Gonzalez, Former Director Of Nos Quedamos, Convicted Of Grand

Larceny And Fraud, Sentenced To Up To 4.5 Years In Prison

New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the

felony conviction of Yolanda Gonzalez, the former Executive Director of We

Stay-Nos Quedamos, Inc., for embezzling nearly $900,000 from the long-

standing South Bronx-based nonprofit community development corporation.

The Attorney General's investigation revealed that Yolanda Gonzalez, 46, of

the Bronx, stole the money from Nos Quedamos by making withdrawals from

the organization's bank accounts to pay her personal expenses, including a

new car. Her former business partner, Joseph Ingenito, was also convicted for

helping Gonzalez attempt to cover-up the thefts.

http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-announces-

conviction-nyc-nonprofit-director-who-stole-nearly-900k

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OHIO

December 18, 2014

Attorney General Mike DeWine Seeks Restitution from Home

Improvement Contractor

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a

home improvement contractor who did business as Buckeye Pro in central and southwest Ohio.

The lawsuit accuses Elijah Deckard, of Dayton, of performing incomplete or shoddy work, using false claims in advertising, and failing to give consumers proper notice of their three-day right to cancel.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/December-

2014/Attorney-General-DeWine-Seeks-Restitution-from-Hom

December 17, 2014

Attorney General Mike DeWine Announces Settlement with Ohio Mulch

Supply Inc.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that consumers will be

able to get a rebate for one free bag of mulch this spring under a settlement

with Ohio Mulch Supply Inc. that resolves allegations that the company sold

under-filled bags of mulch in spring 2014.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/December-

2014/Attorney-General-DeWine-Announces-Settlement-with

December 16, 2014

Attorney General DeWine Announces Mold Removal Specialist Accused of

False Advertising

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against Mold

Foundation Specialist LLC and its owner, Scott Stidham. The lawsuit accuses

the Loveland-based business of failing to substantiate claims in

advertisements and failing to deliver promised services.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/December-

2014/Mold-Removal-Specialist-Accused-of-False-Advertisi

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OHIO CON’T

December 3, 2014

Attorney General Mike DeWine Announces Lawsuit Against Roofer

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against an

Akron area roofer accused of failing to deliver promised services.

The Attorney General’s lawsuit charges Joseph M. Allen, of Fairlawn, and his

business A Ki Restoration LLC of violating Ohio’s consumer protection laws

and seeks consumer restitution, an injunction to stop further violations, and

civil penalties.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/December-

2014/Attorney-General-DeWine-Announces-Lawsuit-Against

December 2, 2014

Attorney General Mike DeWine Announces Ohio Man Indicted in

Connection with Investment Scheme Targeting Elderly

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a Medina County

man is facing felony charges in Cuyahoga County after an investigation

conducted as part of the Ohio Attorney General's Elder Justice Initiative

uncovered an alleged investment scheme targeting older Ohioans.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/December-

2014/Ohio-Man-Indicted-in-Connection-with-Investment-Sc

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PENNSYLVANIA

December 23, 2014

Attorney General Kane Announces Settlement With Philadelphia-Based

Online Furniture Retailer

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced that the Bureau of

Consumer Protection settled a lawsuit filed in July against Matthew Kolodesh,

one of the owners of MIG Enterprises Inc., which operated under the name

Furniture XO.

The Philadelphia-based online furniture company allegedly took money from

consumers for furniture purchased on its website, and failed to deliver the

furniture, according to the complaint. Read more about the lawsuit.

Kolodesh will pay $15,000 in restitution to consumers harmed by the conduct

of the Furniture XO and its owner. Restitution will be awarded to consumers

who filed complaints with the Bureau of Consumer Protection prior to the

filing of the settlement, and within 90 days of the court approving the

settlement.

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Media_and_Resources/Press_Releases/Pres

s_Release/?pid=1367

SOUTH DAKOTA

December 15, 2014

Attorney General Marty Jackley Announces Transient Contractors Plead

Guilty in Consumer Case

Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that two individuals

conducting business in South Dakota as transient contractors have pled to

charges for failure to inform buyer of right to cancel and failure to furnish

cancellation form. The two companies were operating under the names of Tar

& Chip Construction & Paving and Asphalt & Seal Coating & Paving.

http://atg.sd.gov/News/NewsReleases/NewsReleasesView/tabid/441/itemID

/3498/moduleID/597/Default.aspx

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TEXAS

December 5, 2014

Attorney General Greg Abbott Charges Houston-based ‘Diploma Mill’

Defendants with Fraud

A Harris County district court today issued a temporary restraining order and

asset freeze against a Houston-based learning center charged with unlawfully

marketing and selling fraudulent high school diplomas. The court’s order

stemmed from an enforcement action filed by the Texas Attorney General’s

Office today, which charged Houston-based Marque Learning Center

Partnership and its operators and owners as defendants. The court scheduled

a temporary injunction hearing for Dec. 19.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/oagNews/release.php?id=4906

VERMONT

December 4, 2014

Attorney General William Sorrell Settles With Internet Lender A-1

Premium Budget, Inc.

A-1 Premium Budget, Inc. (also known as “Cash in a Wink”), a Delaware

company that provides short-term, high-interest internet loans, will pay over

$6,600 to twelve Vermont consumers and pay the State of Vermont $10,000

to settle claims that the company violated Vermont consumer protection and

lending laws. Attorney General William H. Sorrell noted that this is the fifth

settlement in a recent effort to protect Vermonters from predatory lending:

“Any lender, large or small, that ignores our state lending and consumer

protection laws runs the risk of enforcement by my Office.” More information

on the Attorney General’s crackdown on illegal lending can be found here.

http://ago.vermont.gov/focus/news/attorney-general-settles-with-another-

internet-lender1.php

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VERMONT CON’T

December 3, 2014

Attorney General William Sorrell Obtains Convictions for Home

Improvement Fraud

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office is continuing its efforts to enforce

Vermont’s Home Improvement Fraud statute. Contractors who intend to

defraud the homeowner and enter into contracts but do not perform the

required work or repay homeowners for down payments may be investigated

for potential criminal charges.

http://ago.vermont.gov/focus/news/attorney-general-obtains-convictions-

for-home-improvement-fraud.php

VIRGINIA

December 11, 2014

Attorney General Mark Herring Sues Guardrail Manufacturer For Sale Of

Unapproved Highway Safety Equipment

Complaint under Virginia Fraud Against Tax Payers Act alleges that Texas-

based Trinity Industries modified their guardrail end cap product without

disclosure and sold thousands to the Commonwealth

Today, Attorney General Mark R. Herring brought legal action against Trinity

Industries and Trinity Highway Products, LLC for selling the Commonwealth

of Virginia thousands of unapproved, improperly tested, and potentially

dangerous pieces of highway guardrail equipment. In a complaint filed in

Richmond Circuit Court, the Commonwealth seeks civil penalties and

recovery of costs if necessary and appropriate testing and analysis shows the

products to be unsafe and replacement is necessary. Virginia's suit follows a

series of accidents across the country involving serious injury or death in

which the modified guardrail end treatments appear to have malfunctioned.

http://www.oag.state.va.us/index.php/media-center/news-releases/408-

december-11-2014-herring-sues-guardrail-manufacturer-for-sale-of-

unapproved-highway-safety-equipment

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WEST VIRGINIA

December 23, 2014

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Files Complaint Against Flatwoods-

Area Funeral Home

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his Office recently filed a

complaint against a now-closed Braxton County funeral home and its owner

alleging that they violated the state’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act, as

well as the West Virginia Preneed Act.

The complaint alleges the former Stockert-Sizemore Funeral Home Inc. and its

previous owner, Timothy Sizemore, of Nitro, misappropriated money from

consumers who were trying to prepay their funeral costs, did not register

some preneed funeral contracts with the State, and used unfair and deceptive

practices when selling preneed contracts to consumers. The complaint alleges

the defendants engaged in continuous violations of the Preneed Act and

Consumer Act from at least 2008 until April 2013.

http://www.ago.wv.gov/pressroom/2014/Pages/Attorney-General-Patrick-

Morrisey-Files-Complaint-Against-Flatwoods-Area-Funeral-Home.aspx

December 5, 2014

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Files Suit Against Wheeling-Area

Businessman for Allegedly Misusing Customer Credit Cards

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey today announced he filed a lawsuit in Ohio

County Circuit Court against an Ohio County businessman and his Wheeling-

based businesses alleging they violated the Consumer Credit and Protection

Act; the Mortgage Lender, Broker and Servicer Act; and the Safe Mortgage

Licensure Act.

The lawsuit alleges Mark Busack and his business, Major Savings,

misrepresented fees charged on consumers’ credit cards for loan services,

used deceptive advertising practices when trying to entice homeowners into

refinancing their mortgages, unlawfully collected fees in advance of loans

closing, ran their credit cards through That’s Italian Specialty Foods, and

other violations of state law.

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WEST VIRGINIA CON’T

http://www.ago.wv.gov/pressroom/2014/Pages/Attorney-General-Morrisey-

Files-Suit-Against-Wheeling-A%E2%80%8Brea-Businessma%E2%80%8Bn-

for-Allegedly-Misusing-Customer-Credit-Car.aspx

December 4, 2014

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Files Lawsuit Against Putnam County

Roofing Business

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his office recently filed a

lawsuit against a Putnam County roofing contractor, alleging the business

and its owner violated the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act

by using high-pressure sales tactics to force consumers into signing

questionable contracts.

The complaint, which was filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court, alleges

Quick Silver Restoration LLC and its owner, Wannis Allen Jr., pressured

consumers into entering into roof repair contracts that did not say how much

the project would cost, when it would be started or completed, and did not

include the name, address and phone number of the contractor.

http://www.ago.wv.gov/pressroom/2014/Pages/Attorney-General-Patrick-

Morrisey-Files-Lawsuit-Against-Putnam-County-Roofing-Business.aspx

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MULTISTATE CASES AND SETTLEMENTS December 19, 2014 T-Mobile to Pay At Least $90 Million, Including Full Consumer Refunds

To Settle FTC Mobile Cramming Case; Settlement Requires Company To Pay Fines to States and FCC

T-Mobile has agreed to fully refund its customers for unwanted third-party charges it placed on their phone bills, a practice known as mobile cramming, paying at least $90 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit filed

earlier this year.

In addition to the full refunds T-Mobile is providing, which will resolve the FTC’s lawsuit if approved by the court, T-Mobile is paying $18 million in fines and penalties to the attorneys general of all 50 states and the District of

Columbia and $4.5 million to the Federal Communications Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/12/t-mobile-pay-least-

90-million-including-full-consumer-refunds Dec 18 2014 CFPB, North Carolina and Virginia States Take Action Against Freedom Stores for Illegal Debt Collection Practices Against Servicemembers

Retailer and Debt Collectors to Provide Over $2.5 Million in Consumer Relief for Illegal Lawsuits and Unauthorized Debits The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Attorneys General of North Carolina and Virginia took action today to protect military

servicemembers from illegal debt collection practices. The CFPB alleges that Freedom Stores, Inc., Freedom Acceptance Corporation, and Military Credit

Services LLC used illegal tactics to collect debts, including filing illegal lawsuits, debiting consumers’ accounts without authorization, and contacting servicemembers’ commanding officers. The CFPB and the states filed a

consent order in federal court to require the three companies and their owners and chief officers, John Melley and Leonard Melley, Jr. to provide over

$2.5 million in consumer redress and to pay a $100,000 civil penalty. http://www.consumerfinance.gov/newsroom/cfpb-and-states-take-action-

against-freedom-stores-for-illegal-debt-collection-practices-against-servicemembers/

21

December 11, 2014

Connecticut Joins New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, Maryland and New York in a Multistate Settlement with PointRoll to Resolve Internet Privacy

Allegations Attorney General George Jepsen and state Department of Consumer

Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein today announced that Connecticut has joined a $750,000 multistate settlement with digital advertising company PointRoll, Inc. that resolves an investigation into

whether the company violated consumers' privacy by unlawfully circumventing the privacy settings in Apple Inc.'s Safari Web browser.

PointRoll is a digital advertising and technical services firm owned by parent company Gannett Corp. Connecticut, along with five other states, alleged that

between December 13, 2011, and February 15, 2012, PointRoll circumvented privacy settings controlled by consumers that would have otherwise blocked

cookies from third parties or advertisers and allowed cookies to be placed in Safari Web browsers. Cookies are the small files set in Internet users' Web browsers that allow for advertisers to gather information about consumer,

such as their Web surfing habits. Connecticut's overall share of the settlement totals $110,000.

http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2341&Q=557854

December 4, 2014

AG Madigan And 44 States and the District of Columbia Announces $3.8 Million Settlement With Sirius XM

Sirius XM to Provide Restitution for Misleading Advertising & Billing Practices

Attorney General Lisa Madigan today joined with the attorneys general of 44 states and the District of Columbia to announce that Sirius XM Radio Inc. of New York has agreed to pay $3.8 million and provide restitution to eligible

consumers to resolve claims that the satellite radio company engaged in misleading advertising and billing practices.

Madigan and the other attorneys general alleged that Sirius XM engaged in misleading, unfair and deceptive practices in violation of state consumer

protection laws. The states’ investigation focused on consumer complaints involving: difficulty canceling contracts, cancellation requests that were not honored, misrepresentations that the consumer’s Sirius XM service would be

canceled and not renewed, contracts that were automatically renewed without consumers’ notice or consent, unauthorized fees, higher and unanticipated

22

rates after a low introductory rate, and Sirius XM failing to provide timely refunds.

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2014_12/20141204.html

23

MEDICAID FRAUD CASES AND SETTLEMENTS

ALASKA

December 1, 2014

Attorney General Craig W. Richards Announces 1.2 Million Dollars in

Restitution Ordered in Medicaid Case Against Good Faith Services for

False Billing

The State of Alaska, Department of Law, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU)

announced today that Good Faith Services, LLC (Good Faith) entered a plea of

guilty to a single count of Medical Assistance Fraud on Friday, November 28,

2014.

Good Faith was a personal care agency that provided Medicaid personal care,

transportation and care coordination services to eligible Medicaid recipients.

In July 2013, the MFCU announced the filing of criminal charges against

twenty-five Anchorage based personal care attendants (PCA) and Medicaid

recipients as part of an ongoing state and federal investigation into Medicaid

fraud by the employees, PCAs and recipients associated with Good Faith.

Since July 2013, the state filed criminal charges for medical assistance fraud

on 53 individuals associated with Good Faith, including thirteen of the sixteen

office staff. The MFCU investigation revealed that ten full time office

employees billed Medicaid $394,257 for services they claimed to be providing

while simultaneously working in the office. The information filed further

alleges that Good Faith billed Medicaid a total of $1,033,673.83 for Medicaid

services provided by PCAs prior to the PCA receiving a valid background

check in violation of Alaska Administrative Regulations.

http://www.law.state.ak.us/press/releases/2014/120114-GoodFaith.html

24

ARKANSAS

December 16, 2014

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel Announces the Arrests for Falsely

Billing Medicaid

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced today that health-care workers

from Pulaski and Phillips counties have been arrested following two separate

investigations by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Patricia Sylvester, 53, of Marvell was arrested by the Marvell Police

Department last week and is accused of defrauding the Arkansas Medicaid

program of $340, which is a Class C felony. Investigators found that Sylvester

submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for payment for attendant care

services.

http://arkansasag.gov/news-and-consumer-alerts/details/attorney-general-

announces-two-medicaid-fraud-arrests1

December 12, 2014

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel Announces the Arrests of Two

Individuals for Falsely Billing Medicaid

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced today that health-care workers

from Poinsett and Pulaski counties have been arrested following two separate

investigations by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Kellye Gregg, 42, of Trumann turned herself in to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s

Office Wednesday and is accused of defrauding the Arkansas Medicaid

program of $3,557, which is a Class B felony. Investigators found that Gregg

submitted claims to Medicaid for payment for personal care services that were

not provided between January 2013 and March 2014.

In another case, Robert Myles, 41, of Little Rock was arrested by the Little

Rock Police Department Wednesday and is accused of defrauding the

Arkansas Medicaid program of $284, a Class C felony, for fraudulently billing

Medicaid for reimbursement for at-home personal care services he didn’t

provide while a patient was hospitalized.

25

ARKANSAS CON’T

http://arkansasag.gov/news-and-consumer-alerts/details/attorney-general-

announces-two-medicaid-fraud-arrests

December 9, 2014

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel Announces the Arrests of Three

Individuals for Falsely Billing Medicaid

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced today that health-care workers

in Benton County, Craighead County and Mississippi County have been

arrested following three separate investigations by the Attorney General’s

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Jennifer Reid Casey, 33, of Rogers was arrested last week and is accused of

defrauding the Arkansas Medicaid program of more than $27,473, which is a

B felony. Investigators found that Casey submitted claims to Medicaid for

payment for adult day care services that were not provided between January

2014 and April 2, 2014.

In another case, Jonathan Chandler, 26, of Blytheville was arrested Monday

for Medicaid Fraud, a Class C felony, for fraudulently billing Medicaid for

reimbursement for attendant care services he didn’t provide.

In the third case, Martha Renshaw, 50, of Lake City was arrested Monday for

Medicaid Fraud, a Class B felony. Renshaw is accused of billing the Arkansas

Medicaid Program $4,210 for in-home services that she did not provide.

http://arkansasag.gov/news-and-consumer-alerts/details/attorney-general-

announces-three-medicaid-fraud-arrests

December 8, 2014

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel Announces Crittenden County Woman

Pleads Guilty To Falsely Billing Medicaid

A Crittenden County woman accused of improperly billing the state’s Medicaid

program pleaded guilty today to felony Medicaid fraud, Attorney General

Dustin McDaniel announced.

26

ARKANSAS CON’T

Elaina Brewer, 34, of Marion entered a guilty plea this morning in Pulaski

County Circuit Court before Judge Barry Sims. The conviction for Medicaid

fraud, a Class C felony, came after an investigation by the Attorney General’s

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Brewer was sentenced to two years of probation, fined $5,530 and ordered to

pay $1,843 in restitution. She must undergo random drug tests.

http://arkansasag.gov/news-and-consumer-alerts/details/crittenden-

county-woman-pleads-guilty-to-medicaid-fraud

MARYLAND

December 17, 2014

Attorney General Douglas Gansler Announces Incontinence Supplies

Company Agrees to Pay $1M

Anne Arundel Co.-based Americle Healthcare allegedly billed, did not deliver

goods

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today announced that Americle

Healthcare, Inc., which provides durable medical equipment, adult diapers

and other incontinence supplies to Maryland Medicaid recipients, settled

allegations that it billed for goods that it did not deliver and for goods it

delivered in violation of applicable regulations. Americle, which is based in

Anne Arundel County, will pay Maryland $1 million in restitution and other

recoveries.

http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2014/121714.html

27

MASSACHUSETTS

December 02, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Announces Medical Equipment

Supplier to Pay Massachusetts $230,000 for Allegedly Billing for

Unlicensed Respiratory Therapy Services

North Atlantic Medical Services to Pay More than $850,000 to Federal and State

Authorities for Submitting False Claims for Services Provided by Unlicensed

Personnel

A durable medical equipment supplier based in Leominster has agreed to pay

nearly $230,000 to Massachusetts to resolve allegations that it submitted

false claims to the state’s Medicaid Program (MassHealth) for respiratory care

services provided by unlicensed personnel.

Regional Home Care, Inc., which does business as North Atlantic Medical

Services (NAMS), will pay a total of $852,378 to federal and state authorities

for its violation of the False Claims Act by billing Medicare and Medicaid for

unlicensed services for the treatment of respiratory ailments, such as oxygen

deficiency and sleep apnea.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-02-nams-false-claims-settlement.html

MISSOURI

December 12, 2014

Attorney General Chris Koster Charges Kansas City Woman With Felony

Medicaid Fraud

Attorney General Chris Koster said today that Ame Riggs, 47, of Kansas City,

has been criminally charged with one felony count of Medicaid fraud and one

felony count of stealing by deceit. Riggs is alleged to have falsified documents

to indicate she arranged for and received in-home personal care services

through Medicaid's Consumer Directed Services program that were never

actually provided, using payments received for her personal use.

http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2014/AG_Koster_charges_KC_woman_felon

y_MedicaidFraud/

28

WASHINGTON

December 4, 2014

Attorney General Ferguson Files Medicaid Fraud Lawsuit Against School

Consultant; Company Provided Fraudulent Medicaid Training To

Districts Statewide

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit filed a lawsuit today

against a Wenatchee-based company that allegedly provided fraudulent

training to dozens of school districts around the state, leading to tens of

millions of dollars in false Medicaid claims.

The defendants are Thomas and Sheila Reese, their company, JT Educational

Consultants (JTEC), and several employees and contract consultants

including Scott Adolf, Jack Hedgcock, Randall Hauff and Janine Welty.

http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?&id=32462#.VKwjrHsYEwc

WISCONSIN

December 17, 2014

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Announces Lake Geneva Woman

Charged with Falsely Billing Medicaid

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that a Lake Geneva

woman has been charged with three counts of medical assistance

fraud. According to the Department of Justice’s criminal complaint, Linda J.

Turner, R.N., Lake Geneva, is a certified Wisconsin Medicaid provider

providing private duty nursing services since June 14, 1995. Wisconsin

Medicaid is a program jointly funded by the state and federal governments

that pays for health-related services to low-income and medically needy

persons.

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/media-center/2014-news-releases/december-17-

2014

29

CONSUMER ADVOCACY

ALABAMA

December 4, 2014

Attorney General Luther Strange Warns Of Jury Duty Scam

Attorney General Luther Strange warns of a scam spreading throughout

Alabama. Someone pretending to be law enforcement, or with the court, calls

the victim -- often an elderly person -- and threatens him with arrest for

missing jury duty, but then offers to handle the matter for money, over the

telephone. Circuit clerks around the state have reported increasing incidents

in the last several weeks, with the scam artists growing more and more

sophisticated in their efforts to trick people.

http://www.ago.state.al.us/News-573

CALIFORNIA

December 22, 2014

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Issues Consumer Alert on Location

Services Used by Mobile Apps

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert

on location services used by mobile applications (apps).

With a tap on your smartphone or tablet, you can get a list of nearby

restaurants, directions to a friend’s home or a local weather

forecast. Location services on your device make a variety of convenient apps

work. Location services take your geographic information from satellites

(GPS), WiFi and cell-tower networks. What you may not realize is that some

apps can access your location all the time, even when you’re not using them.

Your location might be “always on.”

http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-

issues-consumer-alert-location-services-used

30

CALIFORNIA CON’T

December 4, 2014

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Issues Consumer Alert on Driver

License Scams Targeting Immigrants

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to

Californians about possible scams targeting immigrants and their families.

Under a new California law, Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), California residents will

be eligible to get a driver license regardless of their immigration status. This

law takes effect on January 1, 2015.

http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-

issues-consumer-alert-driver-license-scams

COLORADO

December 9, 2014

Attorney General John Suthers Announces Consumer Protection

Initiative

StopFraudColorado.gov Microsite Will Help Coloradans Avoid and Report Fraud

One of the most important missions of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office

is protecting Colorado consumers and businesses from dishonest advertising

and unscrupulous businesses. Consumer protection issues have long been

the most “clicked through” part of the office’s website. So to emphasize its

consumer-protection outreach and to meet the demand for timely and credible

information on scams and help victims, Attorney General John Suthers today

announced the launch of a new microsite, StopFraudColorado.gov.

StopFraudColorado.gov makes it easier for Coloradans to learn about

common types of fraud, get tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud

and streamlines the process for filing fraud reports. By reporting fraud,

Coloradans help the office identify patterns of fraudulent behavior and

prioritize limited resources to the most egregious cases that involve

widespread harm to Colorado consumers and businesses.

http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/press/news/2014/12/09/colorado_

attorney_general_announces_consumer_protection_initiative

31

CONNECTICUT

December 12, 2014

Consumer Alert: Attorney General George Jepsen, DCP Advise

Consumers with Delia's Gift Cards to Redeem Unused Balances

Immediately

Retail company files for bankruptcy; consumers should use gift cards, return

purchased merchandise as soon as possible

Attorney General George Jepsen and state Department of Consumer

Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein are advising Connecticut

residents who may be holding gift cards, certificates or store credits to the

retail establishment Delia's to use their gift cards as soon as possible. The

company recently filed bankruptcy and has announced plans to close its

stores by early next year.

http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2341&Q=557918

DELAWARE

December 23, 2014

Attorney General Beau Biden and 21-State Coalition Wants Stronger

Protections Against Predator Lending for Military Personnel

Attorneys General want Department of Defense to improve Military Lending

Act regulations

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, an Iraq War veteran, and Attorneys

General 20 other states are urging the U.S. Department of Defense to

strengthen proposed revisions to regulations implementing the federal Military

Lending Act.

The MLA was intended to shield service members from predatory lending

practices by capping interest rates and fees on loans to service members, and

providing other important protections. However, since rules implementing the

Act were adopted in 2007, some unscrupulous lenders have changed tactics

to avoid complying with the law. In response, on Sept. 29, 2014, the

Department of Defense published new proposed regulations aimed at

providing more comprehensive protections for service members. In their letter

to the Department of Defense, Biden and his colleagues praised the

Department for closing some loopholes in the current rules, while highlighting

32

weaknesses in the revised regulations that could leave service members

exposed to common abusive lending practices.

http://news.delaware.gov/2014/12/23/biden-21-state-coalition-want-

stronger-protections-against-predator-lending-for-military-personnel/

FLORIDA

December 8, 2014

Attorney General Bondi Encourages Floridians to be Wary of Debt

Collection Scams

Attorney General Pam Bondi warns Floridians to protect themselves against

debt collection scams, particularly when the number appears to be from a

legitimate governmental entity, such as the IRS or Attorney General’s Office.

Scams where impersonators pretend to be collecting legitimate debt continue

to top the number of complaints received by Attorney General Bondi’s Citizen

Services Division, and there are measures Floridians can take to protect

themselves.

http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/7FE7C6493A11F8

B385257DA80071F539

INDIANA

December 22, 2014

Attorney General Greg Zoeller, Sen. Merritt Propose Legislation To

Protect Hoosiers From Identity Theft, Data Breaches

In response to growing concerns about online privacy and data protection,

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today announced a legislative proposal

to provide greater safeguards of Hoosiers’ personal and financial information

online.

Zoeller’s proposal has three main components aimed at providing stricter

requirements for the safe storage of sensitive data, reducing harm to

consumers in case of a data breach and increasing transparency of online

privacy policies.

33

http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventid

n=200418&information_id=209390&type=&syndicate=syndicate

KENTUCKY

December 09, 2014

Attorney General Jack Conway Warns of Solicitation Targeting Recent

Homebuyers

Attorney General Jack Conway, the Kentucky Real Estate Commission, and

the Kentucky County Clerks Association are joining together to warn recent

Kentucky homebuyers to be vigilant of official-looking mailings being sent by

“Record Transfer Services” that attempt to sell homebuyers copies of their

property deeds for an excessive fee.

http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/ag/recordtransferservices.htm

LOUISIANA

December 8, 2014

Attorney General Buddy Caldwel Offers Military Consumer Protection

Tips Aimed at Fighting Fraud and Scams

Many Americans take every opportunity to honor and thank all who serve in

the United States Armed Forces. Despite the nation’s gratitude to these

heroes, there are some who would lie to make a buck off them.

Con artists target veterans and service members for scams and rip-offs. Some

scammers stretch the truth to get at veterans’ pensions or prey on the desire

to support veterans’ organizations by lying to get charitable donations.

Veterans looking to use their education benefits may feel pressured to pay for

education programs that waste their benefits and do them no good.

https://www.ag.state.la.us/Article.aspx?articleID=936&catID=2

34

MARYLAND

December 4, 2014

Attorney General Douglas Gansler Warns Consumers About New Twist on

Old Scam:

A Big Check Arrives by Mail, "Agent" Requests Partial Return of the Prize

Scheme uses fake "Publishers Clearing House" letterhead, promises a $75,000

prize and issues a worthless $4,216.74 check that ends up costing you $2,000

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today urged consumers to be on alert for

a scam that delivers to victims a fraudulent "Publisher's Clearing House"

letter informing them that they've won a $75,000 "second place prize." The

mailing includes a worthless check for $4,216.74 and a demand by scammers

that recipients send their own $2,000 check back to the company.

http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2014/120414.html

35

MASSACHUSETTS

December 8, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Urges Fannie, Freddie to Further

Expand Policies on Buyback Programs

Following FHFA Change of Policy, AG Considers Options for Appeal

Encouraged by the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) recent change in

policy to partially engage in buyback programs through Fannie Mae and

Freddie Mac, Attorney General Martha Coakley today urged the agency to

further expand its policy in a letter today to FHFA Director Mel Watt. The

reversal of FHFA’s position regarding buyback programs was a major

component of the lawsuit brought by AG Coakley in June.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-08-fhfa-policy-change.html

December 02, 2014

Attorney General Martha Coakley Releases Report on Professional

Solicitations for Charity in 2013

Report Finds that Charities Received 47 Percent of the Proceeds from Charitable

Campaigns; AG Coakley Offers Tips for Consumers to Give Wisely On “Giving

Tuesday”

Massachusetts charities that hire professional solicitors received an average of

47 percent of the proceeds collected during charitable campaigns in 2013,

according to a report released today by Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Tuesday, December 2 is the third annual “Giving Tuesday,” a global day

dedicated to the celebration of generosity.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2014/2014-

12-02-solicitation-report.html

36

NEW YORK

December 3, 2014

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Resources To Aid Homeowners And

Consumers Impacted By Buffalo Area Snow Storm

Regional Housing Counseling And Legal Services Providers Under The Attorney

General’s Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) To Help Residents Deal With

Insurance Companies And Mortgage Providers During Recovery Effort

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today met with local leaders in Buffalo

and announced that he is making a network of housing counselors and legal

services providers available to help area residents resolve issues with

insurance companies and mortgage providers following extensive home

damage from record snowfall. The Home Owner Protection Program and its

network of lawyers and housing counselors will be available to help

consumers resolve outstanding insurance claims, address contractor issues,

and navigate other storm related problems that could impact

homeownership.

http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-announces-resources-

aid-homeowners-and-consumers-impacted-buffalo-area

December 2, 2014

A.G. Schneiderman Launches New Web-based App To Help New York

Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced his office’s new

consumer education initiative, which features a web-based app, AGScamHelp.

The app will help homeowners determine whether a company has been vetted

by a government agency and will urge homeowners at risk of foreclosure to

work with a qualified agency within the Attorney General’s Homeowner

Protection Program (HOPP), a network of more than 85 housing counseling

and legal service providers who offer services to struggling homeowners at no

cost. As part of this new initiative, the Attorney General’s Office will also send

monthly mailings with tips on avoiding foreclosure scams to New York

homeowners who are within 90 days of a potential foreclosure filing.

http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-launches-new-web-

based-app-help-new-york-homeowners-avoid-foreclosure

OREGON

37

December 19, 2014

Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum Announces 2014 ’20 Worst

Charities List’

Five new charities make the 5th annual list

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum today issued the Attorney General’s 20

Worst Charities list, an annual review of non-profit organizations that spend

the majority of their donations on administrative costs and hiring professional

fundraisers rather than on the cause they support. All of the charities are

based outside of Oregon, but solicit donations in the state. The Firefighters

Support Foundation of Massachusetts takes the number one ranking this

year, with the organization spending only 6.5 percent of its approximately

$3.9 million in annual expenditures to assist firefighters and their families.

A full list of the 20 Worst Charities can be found here.

http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/Pages/2014/rel121914.aspx

December 10, 2014

Attorney General Rosenblum Calls on Oregon Legislature to Update

Oregon Data Breach Law

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum today testified before the joint

Senate and House Judiciary Committee in support of legislation to better

protect the data of Oregonians. She called on the Oregon legislature to update

Oregon’s Data Breach Law, and extend data breach enforcement and

notification to the Oregon Department of Justice. Currently, Oregon is one of

only a handful of states that does not give data breach enforcement and

notification power to the state Department of Justice. Nate Cardozo, staff

attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and recognized and published

expert on free speech, privacy litigation, and the protection of privacy in the

digital age, also testified.

http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/Pages/2014/rel121014.aspx

38

TEXAS

December 16, 2014

Attorney General Greg Abbott Issues Consumer Alert: Identity thieves

claiming to be a governmental or debt collection agency; seek immediate

payments for overdue bills – particularly child support

The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has opened a criminal

investigation into an apparent identity theft ring that is claiming to be either a

governmental or debt collection agency in an attempt to steal state residents’

personal information and identities.

In recent months, dozens of Texas residents have reported receiving telephone

calls from criminals who claim to be collecting overdue payments –

particularly child support debt – on behalf of the Texas Attorney General’s

Office. These imposters typically inform their victims that he or she owes

funds to the OAG and claim that an arrest warrant has been issued due to

the resident’s failure to make the purported payment.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/oagNews/release.php?id=4914

VERMONT

December 2, 2014

Attorney General William Sorrell Warns Vermonters of Rental Listing

Scams

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell, in conjunction with the Vermont

Realtors®, is warning the public of a recurring Craigslist scam that targets

property renters. Although Craigslist postings contain links to scam warnings

on the bottom of each listing, sophisticated scammers are able to create fake

listings that appear authentic, and therefore consumers may be less likely to

click the warning links. Scammers may copy pictures, descriptions, and

Realtor® names from legitimate real estate sale postings and repost the

information on Craigslist claiming the homes are for rent. Similarly, other

scammers make up listings for places that do not exist. Often scammers will

advertise properties with low rental prices to entice potential renters, and

then request the renters wire deposits without first meeting in person or

showing the properties. “Don’t trust the pictures. Never send money unless

39

you or someone you know has been inside the property and met the owner,

property manager, or real estate agent,” said Attorney General Sorrell.

http://ago.vermont.gov/focus/news/vermonters-warned-of-rental-listing-

scams.php

WEST VIRGINIA

December 11, 2014

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Urges West Virginia Job Seekers to

Beware of Fake Employment Ads During Holiday Season

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging West Virginians who are

considering taking up a seasonal job to be on the lookout for fake job postings

and other online employment scams.

Many people take on additional employment during the holiday season or

after to pay for Christmas gifts or pay down debt. However, this also is the

time of year when many people look to prey on those who are in tight financial

situations by offering “secret shopper” opportunities, work-from-home

employment, or other jobs in which the consumer could end up losing money

instead of making it.

http://www.ago.wv.gov/pressroom/2014/Pages/Attorney-General-Patrick-

Morrisey-Urges-West-Virginia-Job-Seekers-to-Beware-of-Fake-Employment-

Ads-During-Holiday-Season.aspx

December 10, 2014

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Warns Consumers About Fraudulent

Pizza Hut Offer

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is warning consumers about an email scam

that promises its recipients a free pizza from Pizza Hut.

The scam, which originally circulated in early November, has been making the

rounds again, prompting the Better Business Bureau to list it in its December

consumer advisory.

40

WEST VIRGINIA CON’T

The email tells recipients that in celebration of Pizza Hut’s 55th anniversary,

the restaurant is offering a free personal pan pizza at any one of its stores. To

get the free pizza, the recipient must click on a link to download a coupon.

But instead of downloading a coupon, the link downloads malware that can

potentially steal personal or financial information stored on the computer.

http://www.ago.wv.gov/pressroom/2014/Pages/Attorney-General-Patrick-

Morrisey-Warns-Consumers-About-Fraudulent-Pizza-Hut-Offer.aspx