State of Iowa Office of the Attorney General

Consumer Tips & Information

Consumer Education & Information

Learn the warning signs. Find the right topic. Take the next step.

Explore common consumer protection topics, learn how to recognize problems early, and find trusted resources to help protect yourself.

I think this is a scam Someone has my information Billing or debt issue Problem with a business I am not sure where to start

Explore Consumer Topics

Choose the topic that best matches your situation. Each section connects you to more detailed guidance, resources, and next steps.

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Fraud & Scams

Imposter scams, online fraud, romance scams, and deceptive tactics.

Scams Imposters Crypto
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Money, Credit & Debt

Credit reports, debt collection, loans, and financial pressure tactics.

Credit Debt Loans
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Identity Theft & Privacy

Identity theft, data breaches, and protecting personal information.

Identity Theft Data Breaches
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Home & Property

Contractors, housing issues, repairs, and service-related problems.

Contractors Housing
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Vehicles & Travel

Auto sales, repairs, financing, and travel-related issues.

Auto Repairs Travel
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Purchases & Services

Online shopping, subscriptions, refunds, and service disputes.

Shopping Refunds Subscriptions
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Looking for a Specific Consumer Topic?

Some topics need a more focused path. Use these quick routes for issues that often overlap with scams, purchases, identity theft, or major life events.

Common Scams Imposter scams, romance scams, charity scams, utility threats, IRS scams, and more. Online Marketplace Issues Fake sellers, rental listings, online classifieds, unsafe goods, and suspicious checkout pages. Identity Theft & Privacy Credit freezes, fraud alerts, account misuse, breach notices, and recovery steps. Special Purchases & Services Contracts, legal forms, subscriptions, schools, health products, charities, and funeral services.

Consumer Alerts & Trending Issues

Stay informed about common scams and current consumer risks.

View Alerts

Quick Red Flag Check

You receive a call from someone stating you need to pay off a debt owed on your electric bill in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Do you pay them using one of those methods?

🚨 This is a major scam warning sign. Do NOT send money using these methods. Contact your utility provider directly using a trusted number.
✅ Correct. Legitimate companies will not demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Always verify before paying.

Ready to Take Action?

Use these quick links if you need to report or get help now.

File a Complaint Submit a complaint to our office Report to FTC Report scams and fraud Identity Theft Help Recovery steps and planning Report to FBI IC3 Help law enforcement identify trends, track criminals, and prevent future fraud

Not Sure Where to Start?

We can help guide you to the right place based on your situation.

Quick Exit
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