New NC consumer protection chief named

Kevin Anderson, who has worked in the division for 13 years, has been promoted to senior deputy attorney general and will lead state efforts to protect North Carolina consumers from scams, frauds and unfair business practices.

Anderson has served as the lead attorney on a range of cases and investigations involving health care fraud, telecommunications and financial issues. He helped negotiate one of the largest pharmaceutical settlements to date and teamed up with the Federal Trade Commission on a groundbreaking case to enforce Do Not Call laws.

“In tough economic times, consumers need help fighting scams and fraud more than ever,” Cooper said in a statement. “Kevin’s years of experience make him the right person to lead our efforts to protect consumers from unfair business practices."

The Consumer Protection Division handled more than 21,000 consumer complaints last year. The staff of 50 attorneys, consumer specialists, investigators and support personnel offer tips and work to resolve complaints through mediation. Where there is a pattern of illegal business practices, attorneys can enforce the law on behalf of consumers.