Consumer Advocate 

Impostors who claim to have spotted fraud or criminal activity on your bank or investment account can end up emptying your life savings under the guise of “protecting” your money.

Remember: If you’re asked to move your money to protect it, it’s likely a scam.

OHIO SALES TAX HOLIDAY - GOOD NEWS TO KNOW

This year, the sales-tax holiday will span 10 days – from Tuesday July 30 through Thursday Aug. 8. The event permits tax-free online and in-person purchases on all eligible items up to $500 per item. Though traditionally associated with back-to-school purchases, the holiday includes many other items. The few exceptions include boats, automobiles, liquor, tobacco, vapor products and items containing marijuana.

Be cautious about the information you include in a loved one’s obituary because “pirates” use personal information posted online to steal identities. Scammers might also exploit information provided on surviving family members.

It’s important to know your rights when signing up for contests or purchasing items at summertime fairs, festivals, expositions and similar events.

If you carry a credit-card balance from month to month, you’re already paying extra in finance charges and interest. Debt-relief scams can end up costing you even more.

In January 2024, a grand jury indicted a man on more than 300 felony charges linked to a gift-card counterfeiting operation.

Viral videos featuring celebrity endorsements on social media can be deceiving. Many are fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Learn to recognize these so-called deepfake videos to safeguard your personal information and finances and to avoid falling victim to such scams.

Spring is a time when many homeowners start thinking about – and making – home improvements. Before hiring anyone to work on your home, make research a top priority. You’ll protect yourself from potential scams by staying informed and vigilant.

If you’re planning to use your tax refund for a major purchase or repair, it’s important to carefully explore financing options to ensure responsible spending. The key is maximizing the benefits to enhance your financial stability.

Many people who are seeking work-from-home opportunities often turn to the internet to find openings. The online realm, however, is rife with job scammers, so do some research before submitting an application. Read on for more information and tips to avoid job scams.

Keeping your personal information safe while online is an important aspect of the modern home and workplace. A virtual private network (VPN) is a key tool for enhancing your online security. This article discusses the purpose of VPNs and whether you would benefit from using one.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office finalized an agreement with Dollar General that ensures prices will ring up correctly at the register and also provides funding to food banks and other hunger-relief organizations across Ohio.

With tax season here, the thought of engaging a tax preparer may cross your mind. Before proceeding take a moment to review this checklist.

Find out how the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Legislature are working to ensure a safer environment for Ohio teens on social-media platforms.
 

Scams can and do affect people of all ages. Explore the scams that directly target senior citizens or other audiences, including younger adults and teenagers.
 

The end of one year (and the start of another) is a good time to take stock of your subscriptions with recurring charges. Whether you’re paying for streaming services, a coffee-of-the-month club or other subscriptions, you can save money by canceling any you no longer need or use.
 

As winter descends on Ohio, residents may face weather-related challenges, including higher heating bills and other expenses. Read on to learn more about assistance options that could help ease the strain on your budget.
 

With data breaches becoming increasingly common, many of us have received a notice about our personal information having been compromised. You can learn more about what constitutes a data breach and, more importantly, how to respond to a breach to safeguard your privacy.

In conjunction with state and federal partners, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office proactively works to combat illegal robocalls. The most recent such efforts include Operation Stop Scam Calls.

It has become a holiday tradition of sorts to see decorations and special sales popping up in retail stores earlier each year. As the holiday season nears, it makes good sense to learn more about smart shopping.

Have you ever felt tricked into signing up online for a subscription service or product, then found it difficult to cancel? The culprit might be digital “dark pattern,” which are designed to manipulate online user behavior.

Earlier this year, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office won a lawsuit filed in 2021 against a northeast Ohio home-improvement contractor and his business, Neil Construction, netting a judgment exceeding $2 million for the state.

Summer is a popular season for concerts and sporting events, including high-profile attractions that sell out quickly. Don’t be tempted by offers that seem too good to be true. Learn to spot the signs of fake ticket scams.

Vacations are an ideal time to rest and relax – and to explore new locations. Follow these tips to protect your physical safety as well as your personal identification, financial information and digital devices.

Thanks to a new federal law called the INFORM Consumers Act, consumers will see greater transparency when making purchases through online marketplaces.

Each June, Attorney General Yost’s Elder Abuse Commission commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by helping to educate older adults and those who support them about the problems related to all forms of financial abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Earlier this year, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued two used-car dealerships and their owners for allegedly rolling back odometers and selling salvaged, rebuilt vehicles without the legally required disclosures. Learn more about how the Consumer Protection Section protects consumers by taking on dealerships that lie to their customers about the status of vehicles.

Scammers are always thinking of new ways to lay claim to your hard-earned dollars. As you look into options for making your money grow, be on guard for investment scams, which can take many forms.