Top consumer complaints of 2009

1. Auto-related (advertising or sales of new and used cars; lemons; faulty repairs; leasing and towing disputes).

2. Credit/debt (billing and fee disputes; mortgage-related fraud; credit repair; debt relief services; predatory lending; illegal or abusive debt collection tactics).

3. Home improvement/construction (shoddy work; failure to complete job).

4. Utilities (service problems or billing disputes).

5. Retail sales (false advertising; defective merchandise; problems with rebates, coupons and gift cards).

6. Services (shoddy work; unlicensed; failure to perform).

7. Internet sales (misrepresentations; failure to deliver purchases).

9. Landlord/tenant issues and home solicitations (do-not-call violations, solicitation issues)

10. Health products/services (misleading claims; unlicensed practitioners).

1. Look at a company's track record.

2. Hire licensed professionals.

3. Pay with a credit card because it has protections other payment types don't.

5. Don't pay in full upfront.

6. Watch for fraud warning signs such as being asked to wire money, feeling pressured to decide now and promises about paying now to win or earn money later.

7. Ask for it in writing.

8. Seek help from nonprofit housing and credit counselors.

9. Know your debt collection rights.