BOISE (AP) - The Idaho Attorney General's Office has recovered more than $24 million in penalties and costs enforcing consumer protection laws.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in a 26-page report released Monday says that's the most recovered by the Consumer Protection Division since 2012.

"The takeaway from this year's report is that it doesn't matter if you've been harmed by one of the nation's biggest companies or a small, local business," Wasden said in a statement. "My Consumer Protection Division is dedicated to looking out for all consumer interests and making sure the marketplace in Idaho remains fair and competitive."

The report that covers the fiscal year that ended June 30 said that $21.5 million came from a February settlement with Standard & Poor's following litigation accusing the company of engaging in false and misleading practices leading to the financial crisis that began in 2008.

In all, the division received 869 written consumer complaints, an increase of 40 from the previous year.

Another significant win for Wasden was the February ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a lower court ruling that determined Boise-based St. Luke's Health System's acquisition of Nampa-based Saltzer Medical Group violated antitrust laws and needed to be unwound.

The top consumer complaint category to Idaho officials for the third consecutive year involved motor vehicles with 100 complaints, down slightly from the previous year. The report said the complaints are primarily about new and used car sales, repairs, manufacturer defects and advertising.

The report noted that this year saw a spike in membership clubs and plans with 78, but that 90 percent of those concerned Body Renew Fitness. In that case, Wasden filed a lawsuit in October after receiving complaints the business took money from customers but then abruptly closed. The case concluded in February with Wasden obtaining a $394,000 judgment.

The third most frequent complaint fielded by Idaho officials were disputes between landlords and tenants, with 51 filed.

Complaints about cellular services and sales tied for fourth with complaints about loans and mortgage lenders, with 37 each.

Of the consumer complaints, the report said that about $1.8 million was lost and about $1.2 million recovered for consumers. Wasden said it's the 23rd consecutive year that the Consumer Protection Division recovered more for consumers and businesses than lawmakers appropriated to pay for the division.

Idaho residents can also alert federal authorities when they believe they've been wronged. In 2014, Idaho residents filed some 7,500 fraud complaints and 962 identity theft complaints.

The state report said Idaho officials can examine the federal reporting numbers to find patterns of deception and have a better idea on where to use limited resources.