Attorney General Steve Rowe Announces Changes to the Consumer Information and Mediation Service

April 4, 2008

Attorney General Steve Rowe announced today that the hours of operation for the Attorney General?s Consumer Mediation and Information phone line (Consumer Line) have been expanded. The toll free line, (800) 436-2131, will now be open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

?By expanding the hours of the consumer line, Maine people will have greater access to our free mediation and information services.? Attorney General Steve Rowe said. ?Our volunteers and staff can offer consumers information on the Lemon Law, implied and express warranties, identity theft, home heating oil rights and much more.?

The expanded schedule means that the toll free mediation and information line will be staffed nine more hours each week. In addition to the toll free phone number, consumers can contact the Consumer Protection Division by email at consumer.mediation@maine.gov and by regular mail by writing to: Attorney General?s Office, Consumer Protection Division, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

The Consumer Mediation and Information Service assists Maine consumers and businesses by answering questions, providing referrals and mediating disputes. In 2007, the volunteer mediators attempted to resolve more than 900 consumer complaints. Of these, 519 were resolved, resulting in $703,223 being returned to Maine consumers. The 2007 resolution rate for the Mediation Service was 57%.

Rowe said that he hopes that expansion of the consumer phone line hours will allow more people to contact his office. ?Last year we received almost 5,400 calls, but we know that some people were unable to get through. Hopefully our expanded hours of operation will allow all consumers to contact us when they need help.?

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March 13, 2008 David Loughran, (207) 626-8577