), “Collections agencies by their very nature are involved in work that upsets consumers,” Althoff says. “In most states, the attorney general’s office handles all consumer protection issues. Wisconsin residents who have a complaint concerning a business in or out of Wisconsin, or anyone outside the state if the complaint involves a Wisconsin business, may file a complaint by completing the below online complaint form. But, again, DATCP’s job is investigation, not litigation. DATCP received 15 complaints initially – not a high number, but each involved sizable dollar amounts. Prior to submitting a complaint, try to resolve the issue directly with the financial institution. “When people are thinking emotionally, they don’t think clearly. Sometimes, however, violations require more forceful action. “DOJ might get complaints that they look at and then turn over to us,” Frassetto explains. We have to constantly stay ahead of the curve.”. MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel says he agrees with legislative leaders that sexual harassment complaints against lawmakers and their staff should be kept secret. “The bottom line was that the company was making false statements,” Frassetto says, “and failing to provide services to consumers who purchased these club memberships.” DATCP joined forces with the DOJ, and ultimately the company was ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution, fines, and forfeitures. That should always be a consumer’s first course of action, Frassetto emphasizes. Include problem history with date and location of purchase; copies of all documents; and your work and home numbers. “We and DATCP and DFI believe the model they’re using is illegal,” Sullivan says. Be specific about wanting replacement, a refund or repair. One role DATCP plays is that of mediator. Although we cannot force a business to resolve a complaint, our contact with the company often results in a solution. In Wisconsin, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) each have a specific function pertaining to consumer protection. “Then based on the facts we gather, we determine if the issue is within our authority or jurisdiction. Talk to the person who sold you the product or service. We will contact you, once we have reviewed your complaint, typically within a week of receiving your complaint. After all, banks have an interest in keeping their customers happy. “We are not the primary complaint agency.”. Contacting the Wisconsin Attorney General. How does the agency balance the need to avoid impeding the flow of transactions between consumers and businesses, and yet allow for adequate consumer protections? WI Attorney General. Click Here.​​. Source: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. That’s a big challenge.”, Indeed, education is a key aspect of DATCP’s consumer protection work. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the lawsuit a "publicity stunt" and not a "serious legal pleading." On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, alleging that they violated the … “We try to resolve complaints in the most sensible way to make sure consumers are not being harmed. Wisconsin’s Democratic attorney general has filed a lawsuit challenging parts of a Republican-authored law limiting his powers that was passed during a … We’re the hammer.”, Every year, the DOJ files a fair number of cases, but few go to trial, according to Sullivan. “Those are the underlying drivers,” Frassetto says. The other three major categories of consumer complaints to the DFI include those against banks and credit unions (state-chartered only), mortgage bankers and brokers, and loan companies. The DFI does not take violators to court but turns to the DOJ to pursue that course of action, when necessary. Commissioner of Insurance– The commissioner’s position is to protect consumers by ensuring that insurance companies are providing affordable services and operati… Chapter 15.25: “When we file an action against a company we believe has violated Wisconsin law, we’re doing so on behalf of the state of Wisconsin, not Joe Smith or Jane Jones. MADISON, Wis. — The Texas attorney general is suing battleground states, including Wisconsin, over what he called unconstitutional changes to … Below are the top categories of complaints received by the Department of Financial Institutions in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Plus, the DFI has a few other regulatory functions, as well. Often this results in an outcome that is satisfactory to all involved. Fax: (608) 267-2779 Reporting problems promptly to the Division provides a better chance of resolving them. Contact Wisconsin Attorney General customer service. (See sidebar “Top DFI Complaints for 2014-2016” for more data. Note: Wisconsin law does not authorize the Attorney General and employees of the Department of Justice to provide legal advice to private individuals.If you need legal advice or representation you may want to contact a private attorney. “In that case,” Althoff says, “we felt there was a pattern of activity that was not right for consumers.” Thus, in April 2017, the Wisconsin DFI’s legal team joined with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and more than 20 other state regulators to issue cease-and-desist orders against Ocwen subsidiaries. DATCP’s primary consumer protection function is to serve as an investigator. That’s why the DFI takes part in financial literacy efforts, such as spearheading the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy. If a business slips up and does something it shouldn’t do, we take care of it.”. That may mean steering someone to the DFI or DATCP, or perhaps some other entity. (See sidebar, “Top 10 DATCP Complaints for 2016,” for more statistics.). Although we cannot force a business to resolve a complaint, our contact with the company often results in a solution. To sell these properties, the company uses a complex rent-to-own model. Be calm, courteous and friendly. “We get both sides of the story,” Frassetto explains. We have to figure out where we can get the most return for our investment of staff time and litigation resources.”. If you are not satisfied, the faster you complain to us, the better your chances for a resolution. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed a lawsuit against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in the United States Supreme Court. Handle 100,000 new consumer complaints and inquiries every year. Please provide as much information as possible as this will help us serve you more effectively. These agencies also often work together to go to bat for Wisconsin’s consumers. Dianne Molvig is a frequent contributor to area and national publications. One of the key lessons learned in carrying out DATCP’s work is the need to stay on top of changes in the marketplace environment. Attorney General. If your complaint relates to buying a used vehicle, that same agency may be the place to go for help, or it might be the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection within the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “It’s complicated because we have an odd structure here in Wisconsin,” he says. Earlier this year, for example, the DFI took action against Ocwen Financial Corp., an Atlanta-based mortgage servicing company. The upshot is that Wisconsin’s consumer complaint structure is complex, and it can be confusing to navigate, Sullivan points out. 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