In the bustling city of Chicago, the latest figures unveiled by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul have revealed the most prevalent consumer complaints of 2025. Topping this list, perhaps unsurprisingly, are grievances related to motor vehicle and used auto sales.
More than 2,100 complaints were filed concerning issues such as “as-is” car purchases, financing problems, and warranty disputes. This serves as a vital reminder for anyone looking to purchase a used vehicle to ensure they conduct a thorough inspection with an independent mechanic and carefully review the vehicle’s history.
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Following closely behind as the second most common complaint are construction and home improvement scams. From roofing to plumbing issues, these disputes highlight the importance of due diligence when hiring contractors. Consumers are advised to check references, confirm the contractor’s licensing with their city or village, and avoid paying the full amount upfront to safeguard against potential fraud.
In 2025, the dedicated efforts of the attorney general’s Consumer Fraud Bureau made a significant impact, recovering over $9.4 million for consumers through mediation. Additionally, the bureau’s enforcement actions resulted in more than $120.9 million being secured. The office handled a total of 19,763 written complaints throughout the year, along with countless phone inquiries.
The full list of the top 10 consumer complaints showcases the ongoing efforts to protect and inform the public about common pitfalls and fraudulent practices.
- 1. Motor Vehicle/Used Auto Sales (as-is used cars, financing, advertising, warranties): 2,103 complaints
- 2. Construction/Home Improvement (remodeling, roofs and gutters, heating and cooling, plumbing): 2,014 complaints
- 3. Consumer Debt (residential mortgage lending, banks/financial institutions, collection agencies): 1,957 complaints
- 4. Identity Theft (credit cards, data breaches, utilities, government document fraud): 1,789 complaints
- 5. Promotions/Schemes (phone scams, work-at-home scams, lottery scams, investment schemes, phishing): 1,064 complaints
- 6. Internet/Mail Order Products (internet and catalog purchases, TV, and radio advertising): 1,019 complaints
- 7. Telecommunications (cable and satellite TV, telemarketing, wireless phones, phone service, and repairs): 788 complaints
- 8. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair (collision, engines, oil changes, and tune-ups): 717 complaints
- 9. Motor Vehicle/New Auto Sales (financing, defects, advertising): 624 complaints
- 10. Travel/Tourism (Travel agents, sales, hotels, timeshares): 558 complaints
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