Attorney General's News Release

December 30, 1994

Nixon returns record-setting money to consumers

Jefferson City, Mo. — Without setting foot in a courtroom, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon has returned more than $1,413,000 to consumers in 1994, surpassing the state record set in 1988.

The Attorney General's Office informal mediation efforts surpassed the previous record by more than $10,000, Nixon announced today.

"Many complaints can be resolved outside the courtroom," Nixon said. "When a consumer presents us with a dispute or an allegation of fraud, we work with the involved parties to reach an informal agreement. Both time and taxpayer dollars are saved by avoiding lawsuits."

Crucial to the mediation success is a toll-free hotline for consumers who believe they have been defrauded. The Attorney General's Office has three main lines for its Consumer Protection Hotline and one TDD line for hearing- and speech-impaired callers.

Hotline operators, who answer more than 35,000 calls each year, encourage consumers to make written complaints so investigators may begin reviewing them. Once written complaints have been made, the Attorney General's Complaint Unit reviews the allegations to determine the appropriate actions.

The most common complaints in Missouri in 1994 included problems with automobiles, finance and credit, home repair and sweepstakes and prize offerings. Some of the consumer complaints that have been successfully resolved through informal mediation this year include:

• A Hazelwood man purchased a used car and found there was a lein against the title. The car company resolved the title dispute.
• An elderly St. Louis woman unwittingly subscribed to more than 30 different magazines. The publishing company closed her account and waived the outstanding balance of $2400.
• An Albany woman made reservations for a trip to the Bahamas. When she was later asked to send more money, she canceled the trip and requested her money back. The company later refunded her $455.
• An Ozark meat company allegedly tricked an 81-year-old into purchasing $702 in meat, when she thought she was paying $29. She received a full refund.
• A Joplin church damaged in a storm was approved by its insurance company to recieve more than $13,000 in repairs. Temporary repairs that totaled more than $8,000 were done on the church while waiting for the payment. The insurance company paid the full amounts for the temporary and estimated repairs totaling $21,920.

To file a complaint, consumers may call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222. Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may call the TDD line at 1-800-729-8668.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818