Associated Press
 
March 9, 2010
 
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Consumer complaints to the Oregon attorney general's office jumped 13 percent last year, with phone companies leading the list for the fourth straight year.
 
There's a new category on the top 10 list this year, the home ownership lending industry. It includes mortgage brokers and loan modifiers.
 
Attorney General John Kroger says the recession is to blame for much of the increase, especially mortgage scams, which he says take advantage of Oregonians who are at their most vulnerable financially.
 
To help avoid scams or bad business practices, his office has set up a Web site at www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov/beinformed.