Current AGO News
Below are current news releases and consumer alerts issued by the Attorney General's Office. The RSS feed may be obtained here.
Credit problems, phishing scams, car issues top list of consumer complaints to Attorney General’s Office
December 31, 2008 - The Attorney General’s Office has released its Top 10 list of consumer complaints for 2008, and it has a familiar look. Complaints about financing, credit and debt collection were the number one category of complaints filed, as they were in 2007. The Consumer Protection Division this year received more than 120,000 calls, letters, e—mails and online complaints in 2008. The second—highest category of complaints was scams and fraud, phishing attacks and foreign lotteries. Category number three involved car issues – new and used car buying, title problems and car repairs.
Attorney General’s Office recovers record $9.5 million in consumer restitution in 2008 through mediation
December 30, 2008 - Consumers who filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office in 2008 got back a record $9,501,221 in restitution through informal mediation. The Consumer Protection Division’s recovery for 2008 breaks the record of $9.3 million set in 2007. Since 1993, the Attorney General’s Office has returned more than $51 million to consumers through informal mediation efforts.
Attorney General’s Office provides $1.4 million check to Department of Social Services from Medicaid fraud case
December 29, 2008 - The Attorney General’s office today presented the Missouri Department of Social Services with a check for $1,432,043, the result of a nationwide settlement with Pennsylvania pharmaceutical company Cephalon. Overall, the office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit recovered more than $3.8 million for taxpayers in the agreement with Cephalon, which marketed three of its drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and rewarded some doctors who frequently prescribed the drugs. As a result of the scheme, the three drugs made by Cephalon Inc. were prescribed more often than they normally would have been, and Medicaid programs in Missouri and the other states paid too much in reimbursement for the drugs.
Preliminary injunction prevents homebuilder accused of fraud from doing business while AG lawsuit is pending
December 17, 2008 - The Franklin County Circuit Court has entered an order against homebuilder Jason Woods that prevents him from doing any home repair or construction in Missouri while a lawsuit brought by the Attorney General’s Office is pending. The consent preliminary injunction was entered by Circuit Judge Cindy Eckelkamp on Dec. 15.
Missouri to receive $150,000 in nationwide settlement with Florida dietary supplement producer over false claims
December 16, 2008 - A Florida—based company that made unsubstantiated and unlawful claims in marketing dietary supplements will cease the practice and pay the state of Missouri $150,000 under a consent judgment obtained today by the Attorney General’s Office. Missouri was part of a $7 million nationwide settlement with Airborne Health, Inc. of Bonita Springs, Fla.,that involved 32 states and the District of Columbia.
Missouri to receive $488,878 in nationwide settlement with Mattel over sale of toys containing excessive lead paint
December 15, 2008 - Toy manufacturer Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher Price will implement stringent procedures to avoid manufacturing products with lead paint and pay the state of Missouri $488,878 under a consent judgment obtained today by the Attorney General’s Office. Missouri was part of the executive committee that negotiated the $12 million nationwide settlement involving 42 states, filed today in Cole County Circuit Court.
Attorney General’s Office reminds Missourians to give wisely to charities this holiday season
December 15, 2008 - Consumers need to do their homework before contributing money to charities, especially between now and the end of the year – that’s the advice from the Attorney General’s Office. December is typically a big month for charitable contributions, with many nonprofits depending on year—end contributions and stepping up fundraising efforts.
Scam artists targeting bank customers in Cass County with phone scam, Attorney General’s Office warns
December 10, 2008 - The Missouri Attorney General’s Office says Cass County residents are receiving phone calls that appear to be from the Community Bank of Raymore, but actually are from identity thieves. An official—sounding phone call says the customer’s debit card account has been compromised, then asks for personal bank account information.
Consumers should shop online with care this holiday season
December 2, 2008 - The Attorney General’s Office is reminding consumers that while there are bargains and wide selections to be found on the Internet this holiday season, there are also risks involved with online shopping.
Jackson County jury commits Kansas City man as sexually violent predator
November 21, 2008 - A jury in Jackson County on Thursday (Nov. 20) found Jason Sapp to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Kathleen A. Forsyth signed the judgment and commitment order.
St. Louis County jury commits St. Louis man as sexually violent predator
November 20, 2008 - A jury in St. Louis County on Wednesday (Nov. 19) found D’Angelo Robertson to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Gary Gaertner signed the judgment and commitment order.
Attorney General’s Office urges parents to check ratings before purchasing computer or video games for kids this holiday season
November 19, 2008 - As the holiday season approaches, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office is urging parents and other consumers to check the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating before purchasing computer or video games as gifts.
Joplin dentist faces 13 felony counts of Medicaid fraud filed jointly by Dankelson, Nixon
November 13, 2008 - A Joplin dentist was arrested today and charged with 13 felony counts of Medicaid fraud. Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Dean Dankelson and Attorney General Jay Nixon jointly filed the charges against Dr. Samuel A. Miller. Miller (DOB – 11/22/64), a general practice dentist, is charged with submitting false reimbursement claims to Medicaid for services not performed on several pediatric patients.
Attorney General’s Office warns of scams involving tickets for Presidential inauguration
November 12, 2008 - The Attorney General’s Office says consumers hoping to attend Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., need to be on the lookout for scam artists. One consumer in the St. Louis area has already reported being contacted by someone offering tickets to the Jan. 20 festivities for $1,700 each. Consumers have also found tickets for sale online.
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Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).
All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.
E-mail Phone: 573-751-8844 Fax: 573-751-5818