Nessel shares top consumer complaints of 2025

As part of National Consumer Protection Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is highlighting the accomplishments of the Department’s Consumer Protection Team and the top complaints from consumers in 2025.

Nessel and the Consumer Protection Team partner with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the AARP, and others to share information and educate Michigan residents about common scams, data breaches, and other consumer-related issues. The Consumer Protection Team received more than 12,000 written consumer complaints in 2025 and enforced various statutes on behalf of residents, including the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA).

Violations of the MCPA often affect consumers financially in the form of money lost for products or services not received. In cases where the monies could be recovered, the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team recouped $1.88 million for Michigan consumers and businesses in 2025 in the form of consumer complaint mediation recovery, settlements, and refunds.

“The Consumer Protection Team does an outstanding job protecting residents across our state,” said Nessel. “They work diligently to stay ahead of the latest scams and alert the public of new tactics scammers use to try to steal their hard-earned money. Through this work, my office has recouped nearly $2 million for Michigan and consumers last year alone while holding bad actors accountable. I could not be prouder of their dedication and the real difference they make every day.” 

The top 10 complaints from consumers in 2025 were in the areas of:

1. Motor Vehicle/Automobile: This category includes complaints against used car dealers, auto repair shops, new car dealers, and passenger car rentals.

2. Credit/Financial Concerns: This category covers a variety of areas including debt collection and reporting, credit repair, payday lending, and mortgage brokering.

3. Retail: This category includes purchases that involved late deliveries or products that were never delivered. Other complaints include the purchases of appliances, furniture, and other items that 
were defective or did not work as advertised.

4. Internet: This category includes complaints involving online purchases, as well as computer communications and technology, and internet service providers.

5. Personal Service Providers: This category covers dating services, beauty companies, fitness facilities, spas, home security, and tax preparation services.

6. Landlord/Tenant: This category involves disputes between renters and apartment owners or property management companies, mobile home parks and site operators, as well as condominium associations.

7. Health Service Providers: The category includes health service providers like doctors, dentists, hospitals, and medical clinics.

8. Gasoline/Fuel/Energy: This category includes complaints against utility companies, gas stations, and propane providers.

9. Contractors: This category covers residential building construction services, snow removal and landscaping services, plumbing, heating and air conditioning services, and special trade contractors such as those providing emergency tree services.

10. Telecommunications/Cable/Satellite TV: This category includes complaints against wireless communications, cable, and satellite TV services, with most of the reports being billing and service issues (this category does not include robocalls).

The Consumer Protection Team reviews every single complaint received by the office, either via online complaint form or email.

Scams change with the season, and the Department issues regular alerts with the latest information when new ploys crop up so residents can spot and avoid scammers. The Department also has a dedicated consumer protection website, which includes an easily searchable library of alerts and resources, and a dedicated consumer protection social media account, Michigan Consumer Protection (@MIConsumerWatch). The account serves as a trusted source for scam alerts, helpful tips, educational resources, and updates from the Department of Attorney General. Residents can follow @MIConsumerWatch on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

To file a complaint with the attorney general, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388

Online complaint form at https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx