Attorney General Mills encourages Mainers to call the Consumer Information and Mediation Service

July 15, 2014

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General Janet Mills is reminding Mainers about the Consumer Information and Mediation Service, operated by the Maine Attorney General?s Office. Mainers who have questions about consumer issues or are worried they may be the target of a scam can call the Consumer Mediation and Information Service for assistance, free of charge.

The Consumer Mediation and Information Service assists consumers and businesses by answering questions, providing information and mediating disputes with the help of 32 volunteer mediators. The issues addressed vary from used vehicles to Maine?s lemon law, landlord-tenant issues, scams, implied and express warranties, cellphone disputes and more. In 2013 staff of the Attorney General?s Office received 10,122 contacts from citizens, and volunteers mediated 877 cases returning $372,905.97 to consumers.

?Our staff and volunteer mediators help thousands of consumers each year by answering their questions about many important issues. I sincerely hope more consumers will realize these resources are available to them and reach out to my office for assistance,? said Attorney General Mills.

Consumers can call 1-800-436-2131 or 626-8849 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. ? noon and 1:00 p.m. ? 4:00 p.m., email consumer.mediation@maine.gov or write to: Attorney General?s Office, Consumer Protection Division, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. The Consumer Protection Division has an easy to understand consumer law guide on its website ? www.maine.gov/ag/consumer.

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