Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection

Press Releases

02/26/2021

Department of Consumer Protection, Attorney General William Tong, Better Business Bureau celebrate National Consumer Protection Week

Consumers are invited to participate in virtual events
during National Consumer Protection Week February 28 – March 6

Everyone can fall victim to fraud and scams, and even legitimate businesses can provide incomplete contractual information, omit important details or present misleading advertising. Being a smart consumer is your best defense against scams, fraud, and identity theft.

This week, join DCP, the Office of the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau for virtual events to learn more about how you can protect yourself against fraud. The agencies will also offer advice on a variety of consumer topics all week long on social media.

 

  • Monday March 1 at 1 p.m. – National Consumer Protection Week Facebook Live with Attorney General William Tong and DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull, hosted by the Better Business Bureau
  • Thursday March 4 at 1 p.m. – National Consumer Protection Week Twitter Chat. DCP, AG Tong and BBB will be answering questions and providing advice live on Twitter.

Connecticut Consumers reported losing $24.3 million to fraud, identity theft and scams in 2020, More than 18,000 consumer complaints were recorded in Connecticut last year, up from 14,500 in 2019, according to newly released data from the Federal Trade Commission.

Last year in Connecticut, the most reported scams had to do with identity theft and imposter scams. Complaints related to online shopping, exchanges and returns, also surged in 2020, elevated by the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic continued, Connecticut consumers also frequently reported home improvement related fraud and scams.

 

Source: https://public.tableau.com/profile/federal.trade.commission#!/vizhome/FraudandIDTheftMaps/AllReportsbyState 

 

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Consumers are encouraged to follow the state on social media and watch for updates about the week’s events.

 

Department of Consumer Protection:

 

Office of the Attorney General William Tong:

  • @CTAttorneyGeneral on Facebook
  • @AGWilliamTong on Twitter


Media Contacts:

Department of Consumer Protection
Kaitlyn Krasselt
kaitlyn.krasselt@ct.gov
(860) 377-0246 (cell)

 

Office of the Attorney General
Elizabeth Benton
Elizabeth.benton@ct.gov

(860) 214-0937 (cell)

 

Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut
Luke Frey
lfrey@ct.bbb.org
(860) 384-5875 (cell)

 

Twitter: DCP on Twitter
Facebook: DCP on Facebook