PORTLAND (AP) — Telephone and cable companies were the top targets for consumer complaints in Oregon last year, the fifth straight year they’ve led the list.

Financial institutions — banks and mortgage brokers — were again No. 2 on the annual complaint list compiled by the Oregon attorney general’s office.

The surprise was the arrival of international money transfer schemes, appearing on the list for the first time and making it all the way to No. 3.

The fraudulent schemes include a now-infamous scam with many variations, typically involving a claim that a wealthy Nigerian must move a large sum of money out of the African country and needs help with the transaction. It usually requires a loan in exchange for a much larger sum that is never paid.

Oregon residents lost more than $482,000 in 2007 to such schemes, according to the Oregon Department of Justice.

“We’re disturbed by this number for several reasons,” Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers said. “These schemes, especially out of Nigeria, have been around for years, but Oregonians continue to be pulled into these scams.”

The 825 complaints filed in the category included consumers who recognized the scam before they lost money, Myers said.

Remaining at No. 4 on the top 10 complaint list were collection agencies, with the number of complaints nearly doubling from 483 in 2006 to 719 last year.

Myers noted that he has twice proposed amendments to the state Unlawful Trade Practices Act to include violations of existing debt collection law and put collection agencies under the jurisdiction of state Department of Justice consumer division. Both attempts in the Legislature have failed but Myers, who is not seeking re-election, said he will recommend that his successor try again in the 2009 session.

Rounding out the top 10 list of complaints were motor vehicle sales at No. 5, Internet retailers at No. 6, health-related claims at No. 7, construction contractors at No. 8, Internet auctions at No. 9, and automobile repairs at No. 10.

Although last on the list, automobile repairs was making a reappearance after a decade.

The attorney general’s office also noted that in the telecommunications category, No. 1 on the complaint list, cable and satellite television complaints exceeded those against cell phone providers.

Categories that almost made the list were real estate, travel and insurance services.

The Department of Justice also said it resumed enforcement of its “no call” registry last year after being pre-empted by federal law and regulations since 2003.

Oregonians are urged to register with the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or online at www.donotcall.gov. Registration is free and most “cold calls” made to Oregonians on the list after 31 days will violate both federal and state laws.

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On the Net:

Oregon Department of Justice: http://www.doj.state.or.us/