News/Events

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released the following statement to kick off National Consumer Protection Week.

“My office is dedicated to protecting Arkansans from con artists and criminals. I am sick of bad actors constantly adapting to find new ways to scam hard-working consumers. National Consumer Protection Week is an opportunity to educate Arkansans about common scams.”

Rutledge will be highlighting common scams and complaints received by the Attorney General’s office this week on social media.

Says, ‘This program is a significant step for Wells Fargo toward fixing the harm it caused to Arkansans’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced that Wells Fargo has begun a consumer redress review program to allow consumers, who have not yet been made whole through other remediation programs already in place, to have their inquiry or complaint reviewed by a Wells Fargo escalation team for possible relief.

“The redress review program was a key component of my settlement with Wells Fargo due to betrayal of consumer trust,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “This program is a significant step for Wells Fargo toward fixing the harm it caused to Arkansans by ensuring that eligible consumers receive the restitution due to them under the settlement. Requiring Wells Fargo to implement this program is another example of how I will hold any business accountable that unlawfully takes advantage of Arkansans.”

The December settlement between Wells Fargo and attorneys general of all 50 states and the District of Columbia resolves claims the bank violated state consumer protection laws by opening millions of unauthorized accounts and enrolling customers into online banking services without their knowledge or consent, improperly referring customers for enrollment in third-party renters and life insurance policies, improperly charging auto loan customers for force-placed and unnecessary collateral protection insurance, failing to ensure that customers received refunds of unearned premiums on certain optional auto finance products, and incorrectly charging customers for mortgage rate lock extension fees.

As part of the program, Wells Fargo will maintain a website for at least one year that contains information regarding consumers' eligibility for redress and to help answer consumer questions. Wells Fargo's website describes the issues covered by the settlement agreement and provides phone numbers consumers may use to request review. In addition, Wells Fargo will provide periodic reports to the states about ongoing remediation efforts.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced mobile office locations for March.

Attorney General Rutledge created this initiative during her first year in office to increase office accessibility for all Arkansans, particularly to those who live outside the capital city. Office hours were held in all 75 counties each year during her first term, assisting 3,300 Arkansans.

Rutledge believes face-to-face conversations are the best way to truly hear from Arkansans. The Attorney General Mobile Offices assist constituents with consumer related issues by filing consumer complaints against scam artists as well as answering questions about the office and the other services it offers to constituents.

Rutledge continues her partnerships with the Cooperative Extension Service and local law enforcement across Arkansas. Law enforcement officials will be on hand to collect unused and expired prescription medications to ensure they are secured and properly disposed. Arkansans are encouraged to bring their old, unused or expired prescription medications to an upcoming mobile office. During Rutledge’s first term, over 618 pounds of medications were collected at mobile offices.