Standing up for consumers is a vital part of the work we do every day. This year we are giving that effort extra emphasis during March which we have designated Consumer Protection Month in Arizona.

We will mark the month in various ways, beginning today, with the release of last year's top 15 consumer complaints. Business opportunities, business services and used car sales topped the list of complaints filed with our Office for the second year in a row. The categories that showed the largest increase from the previous year were cable and satellite television, prize notifications and mortgage lending. Here's the full list:

1. Business Opportunities
2. Business Services (i.e. Taxis, Talent Agents, Florists, Nanny Services, Telegrams)
3. Motor Vehicle (Used Vehicle Sales)
4. Debt Collection
5. Motor Vehicle Repairs
6. Telemarketing Fraud
7. Pay Television
8. Prize Notification (By Mail Only)
9. Internet Auctions
10. Mortgage Companies/Predatory Lending
11. Phone Services (Cellular)
12. Real Estate Rentals
13. Credit (Credit Card/Billing Disputes)
14. Motor Vehicle (New Vehicle Sales)
15. Advertising

Our Consumer Information and Complaints Unit received some 46,000 complaint calls last year, leading to more than 22,000 complaints being filed. We helped consumers last year recover more than $3 million in refunds, rebates, services or merchandise.

During March we will announce results from the Seniors Strike Back mail program, release a new Consumer Guide for Young Adults, issue a series of consumer advisories and announce enforcement actions in at least three consumer protection investigations.

Public awareness is the first line of defense against fraud and scams. Savvy consumers are less likely to fall victim to financial ripoffs or disclose personal information that can lead to identity theft. My Office provides several consumer protection publications that can be downloaded from our Web site at www.azag.gov. I encourage you to review them.

We're working hard to make consumers more knowledgeable and prosecute those who commit fraud and other financial crimes. I hope you will do all you can to fortify your own defenses.

Terry Goddard