If you believe a credit card company, mortgage broker, phone company, contractor, car dealer or any other business has dealt with you in an unfair or deceptive manner, you may be a victim of consumer fraud. Hawai'i consumer protection law provides for full recovery of attorneys fees and costs incurred if the consumer prevails, as well as awards to consumers of three times their actual damages. If you are 62 years old or older, you may be entitled to minimum damages of $5,000 or three times your actual damages, whichever is greater.

Fraud Focus

As consumers become more health conscious, some food companies are providing better products, while other manufacturers simply pretend to be healthier or more natural through misleading marketing instead of good ingredients. Many companies, particularly those making potato chips, snack food and beverages, falsely claim to be "all natural" when in fact they contain unnatural ingredients like partially hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup. Others misrepresent the amount of trans fats (which are contained in partially hydrogenated oils) in their products. We are currently investigating a number of consumer complaints in this area. If you have concerns about the ingredients in your food, contact us for more information.

Consumer Resources:

For more information on protecting yourself against consumer fraud or filing a complaint for an unfair or deceptive business practice, go to the website of the State of Hawai'i Office of Consumer Protection.

Before hiring a construction contractor, electrician, architect, mortgage broker or other licensed professional, make sure he or she has the appropriate license in good standing with the State of Hawai'i using the State of Hawai'i Professional and Vocational Licensing Search.

If you are the victim of consumer fraud that appears to be happening on a national scale, contact the Federal Trade Commission and review their website for information and instructions on how to file a complaint.

If you are a victim of identity theft, there are a number of specific steps you need to take immediately to protect your assets, good name and credit. [click for more information]

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