Used motor vehicle sales topped the list of consumer complaints received by the Illinois Attorney General’s office in 2025, marking the first time in more than 35 years that this category led the rankings. Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the annual Top 10 list during National Consumer Protection Week, highlighting his office’s ongoing efforts to protect residents from fraud and unfair business practices.
“Throughout the year, and particularly during Consumer Protection Week, I urge people to be informed consumers, which means exercising vigilance, never feeling pressured to make a decision, and making sure they understand all terms of a deal before spending their hard-earned money,” Raoul said. “My office has seen an increase in the number of complaints related to buying used vehicles, so I encourage anyone thinking about purchasing a used vehicle to visit our website for valuable tips before spending thousands of dollars on a car.”
The Attorney General’s office reported that complaints about consumer debt also increased compared to 2024 and ranked third overall. Complaints related to home repairs and remodeling declined but remained second on the list. Consumers cited issues such as as-is sales, financing problems, and warranty disputes when reporting concerns about used auto sales.
The Illinois Attorney General handled thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website. The office advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights.
For the first time in over a decade, travel and tourism complaints appeared among the top ten categories. Raoul encouraged consumers to research companies with resources like his Office or the Better Business Bureau before making travel-related purchases. He also pointed to information available from organizations such as the American Resort Development Association and federal agencies for those seeking guidance on timeshare fraud prevention.
In total, Raoul’s office received 19,763 written complaints in 2025 alongside tens of thousands of phone calls. The Consumer Fraud Bureau recovered more than $9.4 million through mediation and secured over $120.9 million via enforcement actions last year.
The Top 10 categories of written consumer complaints were:
1. Motor Vehicle/Used Auto Sales – 2,103
2. Construction/Home Improvement – 2,014
3. Consumer Debt – 1,957
4. Identity Theft – 1,789
5. Promotions/Schemes – 1,064
6. Internet/Mail Order Products – 1,019
7. Telecommunications – 788
8. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair – 717
9. Motor Vehicle/New Auto Sales – 624
10. Travel/Tourism – 558
Raoul urges residents who believe they have been victims of fraud to file a complaint online or contact one of several hotlines provided by his office.
The Illinois Attorney General aims to protect consumers statewide while promoting safer communities and advocating for environmental and rights issues (source). The office also partners with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and promote open government (source).
