Collectors Near Top of Illinois Complaint List

Complaints about collectors and collection agencies were one of the top complaint categories among residents of Illinois, according to a list released last week by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Identity theft generated the most consumer complaints, receiving 6,388, or about 20 percent, of the 32,577 consumer complaints the AG’s office received in 2007.

The category Credit/Financial Services was the second largest grouping, receiving 5,267 complaints. Within that category, collection agencies were the top segment, receiving 2,231 complaints.

Madigan’s office reported that agencies refused to verify that a consumer owed the debt; that agencies failed to properly identify the debtor; and agencies abused collection practices, including calls to the debtor’s workplace or at inappropriate times, or used abusive language.

Other leading complaint categories in Illinois were Promotions & Schemes, Construction/Home Improvement, and Telecommunications.

Madigan is considered a top contender for Illinois governor with the second term of Gov. Rod Blagojevich set to expire in 2012. However, Blagojevich is under fire from many in the state, including the Chicago Tribune newspaper which began last year a recall effort. Lisa Madigan is the daughter of Michael Madigan, speaker of the Illinois House.

Additionally, jury selection begins today in the fraud trial of a prominent contributor to Blagojevich. The previous governor of Illinois, George Ryan, is now serving time for racketeering.