Help with Consumer Protection and Insurance Matters
As a consumer, it can be difficult to make informed insurance choices, avoid scams and fraud, and keep your property safe. Luckily, there are resources on the local, state, and federal level to help you along in the process, whether you need to file a health insurance complaint or report title theft fraud. Use the resources below to keep yourself protected, stay in the know about common scams, and report when things go wrong.
Resources for Insurers
Attorney General’s Office Consumer Complaint: The Attorney General (AG) of Massachusetts protects consumers, fights fraud and corruption, and works tirelessly on behalf of our environment, workers, and civil rights in the Commonwealth. You can file a complaint to the AG’s office regarding defective products, debt collection, mortgage servicing and loan modification, utility bill disputes, resident-specific issues (for immigrant, veteran, homeless, and elderly populations), and more. Complaints can be filed online, by mail, or in person.
Complaints About Health Insurance: If you need help with health insurance bills and forms, or believe you have been victimized by unfair health insurance practices, the AG’s office can help. You will need the full name of the provider, hospital, or business involved, as well as a detailed account of your experience. Complaints can be filed online, through the phone, or by email.
Division of Insurance: The Division of Insurance (DOI) helps consumers in the Commonwealth make informed decisions about their insurance plans, and steps in when businesses break the rules. To protect consumer interests, the DOI provides accurate, unbiased information and monitors licenses to ensure fairness. If you have a question about insurance or feel you have been victimized by exploitative business practices, it’s easy to contact the DOI by phone, email, or mail.
Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation: The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation advocates for and educates consumers about their rights, and regulates businesses in the Commonwealth. Consumers, home improvement contractors, and businesses experiencing or concerned about data breaches are some common groups the Office helps. The Office has five highly specialized subdivisions: the Division of Occupational Licensure, Division of Banks, Division of Insurance, Division of Telecommunications and Cable, and the Division of Standards.
Worcester Registry of Deeds: The Worcester Registry of Deeds stores property records within Worcester County effectively, efficiently, and securely. It is easy to access property records through their website. Additionally, the Registry of Deeds provides resources such as homestead declaration forms, investment protection, and relevant seminars on topics like foreclosures and reverse-mortgages to support homeowners.
Common Scams to Avoid
Knowing how to avoid scams can be complicated. To protect yourself and stop a scam before it starts, make sure you are aware of some of the most common tactics fraudsters use.
AARP Scams to Watch Out For in 2025: AARP explains employment scams, cryptocurrency scams, celebrity impostor scams, tech report scams, and card-declined scams–and how to avoid falling into common traps.
Forbes on Insurance Fraud Statistics and Scams: Forbes reviews types of insurance fraud and provides the following tips to avoid being scammed yourself: verify potential insurers, carefully complete your applications, review policy details, and keep careful records.
Identifying and Reporting Insurance Fraud: If you believe yourself to be a victim of insurance fraud, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance can help you spot common red flags and report perceived fraud online!
Title Theft is a common form of insurance fraud that targets home and car owners. An individual will steal a person’s legally-owned car or house title and put the title in their name, stealing from the owner what is rightfully theirs. Luckily, resources are available to help you avoid title theft, and report it should it happen to you.
Registry of Deeds: The Massachusetts Registry of Deeds offers a title theft prevention service that automatically notifies participants if a new document is recorded in their name. You may also sign up for notifications for specific addresses in some locations. This allows you to be the first to know if something potentially fraudulent occurs on your property!
Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews home title theft, how it works, and how to report it. Some common avenues of reporting are the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).