Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan testified before the U.S. House of Representatives last week about her ongoing investigations in to the epidemic of data breaches nationwide.
"Unfortunately it's not a matter of if it is going to happen to you. It really is a matter of when and I think the huge data breaches at Target, and Neiman Marcus and Michael's really serve as a wake-up call to consumers that they really have to be paying attention to their bank accounts and credit card statements and looking at their credit reports," Madigan said.
Madigan says the best way customers can protect themselves is by setting up alerts on credit and debit cards via text or email signifying when a transaction is made.
Top 10 Complaints:
1. Consumer Debt (mortgage lending, debt collections, credit cards) 4,340
2. Identity Theft (fraudulent credit cards and utility accounts, bank fraud) 3,009
3. Telecommunications (wireless service, local phone service, cable/satellite) 1,870
4. Construction/Home Improvement (remodeling, roofs/gutters) 1,688
5. Motor Vehicles/Used Auto Sales (as-is sales, financing, warranties) 1,167
6. Promotions & Schemes (sweepstakes, pyramid, work-at home scams) 879
7. Mail Order (Internet purchases, catalog ordering, television/radio) 833
8. Fraud Against Business (consulting, directories/publications) 777
9. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair (collision/body, engines) 526
10. Travel (time shares, promotions/sales, travel agents) 439
For more information, visit Madigan's website or contact her office about issues ranging from home foreclosure to identity theft:
Consumer Fraud Hotlines:
1-800-386-5438 (Chicago)
