by Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle
April 21, 2026
Oregonians filed more than 10,000 consumer complaints with the Oregon Department of Justice last year recovering nearly $1.6 million as a result of state attorneys’ efforts.
The more than $1.56 million Oregonians received back through the Justice Department’s Consumer Advocacy Complaint Program was a 27% increase in recovered funds compared to 2024, according to figures the department shared last week.
Fraud and imposter complaints, as well as reports related to the auto industry and telecommunications, topped the list. The number of health and medical complaints dropped 17% from 2024. And complaints about the government — many tied to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency — more than doubled.
Types of complaints to ODOJ Consumer Program in 2025
The Oregon Department of Justice fields such complaints from consumers across the Beaver State.
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/NNaa4/4/
“These numbers tell a real story about what Oregonians are up against,” said Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield in a statement. “Fraud and scams are on the rise, and more Oregonians are turning to us for help — which means more chances for us to put money back in their pockets. We’re resolving complaints faster than ever and holding people and businesses accountable.”
While many of the complaints dealt with the private sector, the new figures come as Democratic-led states like Oregon are under political pressure from the Trump administration to combat fraud and financial misuse in programs and social services that receive federal funding.
Rayfield, for instance, announced charges in early April against a Portland-area behavioral health provider for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Oregon’s Medicaid program, vowing to “continue to hold accountable anyone who steals from Oregon’s most vulnerable residents.” At the time, the Oregon Department of Justice noted that its Medicaid fraud investigation unit has secured more than 200 criminal convictions, hashed out dozens of civil settlements and recovered more than $85 million in the last decade.
The state agency also took a subtle swipe at the efforts of the Trump administration when announcing the most recent consumer protection findings. In one change from 2024, the Oregon Department of Justice noted that “general government complaints” surged by 166%, largely driven by complaints related to the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. It said the surge “reflects the current political environment rather than traditional consumer fraud activity.”
“Fifty-three percent of the government related complaints we received in 2025 concerned the Department of Government Efficiency,” Jenny Hansson, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Justice, said in a statement. “The majority of these focused on Oregonian’s concerns about Elon Musk and other non-governmental individuals accessing private information. Many complaints characterized this as a data breach involving the U.S. Treasury.”
In its announcement, the Oregon Department of Justice also noted that its consumer advocacy program resolved complaints “faster than ever.” The agency said the average case now closes in 40 days, down from 50 days in 2023.
There has been a slight increase, 6%, in cases that result in fully or partially resolved outcomes, as well as real estate, food and beverage, and construction complaints, according to the agency. Travel complaints have fallen by 59% since 2024.
Oregonians who suspect that they have received unfair treatment from a business or faced a scam can file complaints at oregonconsumer.gov or call the state’s consumer hotline at 1-877-877-9392.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
SUBSCRIBE
Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Shumway for questions: [email protected].