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Virginia's Consumer Protection Hotline To Answer Hurricane-Related Complaints

By: Rebecca Blatt // August 29, 2011
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Virginia's Consumer Protection Hotline is now staffed around the clock to help consumers with complaints related to Hurricane Irene.

Virginia's Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Matthew Lohr, says home repairs in the aftermath of a natural disaster offer scam artists opportunities for fraud, especially in the form of price gauging.

Other scam artists may try to solicit donations for fraudulent charitable organizations. In any case, Lohr says high pressure is a common tactic, and urges residents to take time to review offers thoroughly.

Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the expanded hotline hours will continue until further notice.

Consumers who want to register a complaint can call the statewide toll-free consumer hotline at 800-552-9963.

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