Consumer Advocate 

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is calling on Ohio high school students to participate in the sixth annual Take Action Video Contest and produce a 60-second video warning fellow Ohioans about scams, cybersecurity threats, and identity theft.

The work of Attorney General Mike DeWine’s Economic Crimes Unit, a division of the Consumer Protection Section, helped lead to the indictment of a Maryland man on charges related to a romance scam aimed at defrauding elderly individuals of more than $1.1 million.

While the temperature remains moderate, Ohioans are likely seeing no shortage of home improvement contractors in their neighborhoods. Recently, a number of consumers have reported concerns about asphalt pavers and sealers going door-to-door offering services but performing shoddy work or not completing the work as promised.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit against Wellness Laser and Med Spa LLC, which operates in central and northeast Ohio, for unfair and deceptive business practices. The Attorney General is seeking consumer restitution, an injunction to stop further violations, and civil penalties.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section has developed a new program to help protect Ohio’s seniors from fraud. The Senior Advocate Fraud Education (SAFE) program educates seniors, caregivers, social workers, and families about fraud and scams that target seniors. As part of the program, the Attorney General’s Office is distributing SAFE toolkits to more than 700 public libraries throughout Ohio.

Individuals using online marketplaces to sell products may get more than they asked for when they receive an email from a “buyer” offering more money than the posted selling price.

Reports to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office indicate that unwanted phone calls continue to be a nuisance for many consumers. Because such intrusions have the potential to rob people of time and money, the Attorney General’s Office works hard to educate consumers on how to reduce unwanted calls.

Back-to-school shopping season is in full swing, with notebooks, pencil cases, and binders lining many store aisles. While it can be exciting for children and adults to begin the school year with new items, it can also be expensive. Take time to read advertisements closely and watch for potential scams to avoid back-to-school-buying blues that may violate your rights.

The Federal Trade Commission ranks identity theft as one of the top military consumer complaints in the nation, prompting Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to push for harsher penalties for those who commit identity fraud and theft against active-duty service members and their spouses.

To commemorate today’s observance of Military Consumer Protection Day, celebrated this year on July 16, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office encourages active-duty service members to learn about the office’s Patriot Program.

Complaints filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office suggest that scammers continue to contact military families and other Ohioans with phony debt-collection ploys. Recently, people who have applied for or inquired into payday loans have been targeted.

Wherever they currently call home, military service members are sure to see advertisements and storefronts promoting payday advances and other types of short-term loans. Generally, payday loans are between $100 and $500. If service members are tight on cash, it may be tempting to get a short-term loan, but they should carefully consider the loan’s terms and conditions as well as other alternatives.

Consumers nationwide, including up 16,000 Ohioans, are entitled to refunds from a Cincinnati Internet-based business that offers change of address services. A $3 million national refund pool has been established to reimburse consumers under a settlement with Change-My-Address.com, Change-of-Address.us, parent company Form Giant LLC, and its president, Matthew Riley, said Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning Ohioans to be on the lookout for a scam involving the promise of “airport jobs.” Recent reports to the Attorney General’s Office suggest Ohioans are receiving fliers and phone calls from a man attempting to persuade unsuspecting job hunters to wire transfer money in exchange for uniforms.

College students in search of off-campus housing options have a lot to consider, including location, condition, square footage, parking, and price. In addition to checking online advertisements and bulletin boards on and near campus, apartment hunters should be sure to visit the properties they’re considering and, if possible, talk with current residents about the apartment and their experiences with the landlord.

With all the stress of wedding planning, it can be difficult to sort the good vendors from the not-so-good! Researching wedding vendors and asking important questions can go a long way to help you avoid problems on your big day.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine offered consumers advice on how to protect their personal information in the aftermath of a widespread Internet security glitch called the Heartbleed bug.

The final member of a Circleville area criminal ring that used home-repair scams to swindle more than $137,000 from elderly consumers in Fairfield, Franklin, Pickaway, and Ross counties has pleaded guilty to felonies in the case.

From phony jury duty notices to fake ambulance bill collectors, Ohioans continue to report that scammers are posing as legitimate companies and government agencies to trick consumers into sending money and revealing their personal information.

Reports to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office suggest insurance-related schemes may be on the rise. Unscrupulous companies may use deceptive advertising to get consumers to unknowingly enroll in an insurance plan or reveal personal information.

Scammers use a variety of tactics to make their “offers” seem legitimate, including phony emails containing malicious links. Consumers have reported receiving legitimate-looking emails with subject lines such as “Funeral Notification” or “Passing of Your Friend.” The emails appear to originate from a funeral home.

In an effort to warn Ohioans about online scammers, the Attorney General’s Office has released several new educational videos about cybersecurity. They feature experts from the Attorney General’s Office explaining how to protect your personal information and avoid scams when browsing online.

Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that he and 19 other attorneys general and the city attorney of San Francisco entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Phusion Projects LLC and its officers, Jaisen Freeman, Christopher Hunter, and Jeffrey Wright (collectively, “Phusion”).

If you are considering a home repair this spring, make sure you know how to find a good contractor and avoid scammers.

As consumers of all ages rely more and more on technology, it’s important to understand how to protect your electronic devices and keep personal information private. That’s the goal of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s new educational initiative on cybersecurity.

You venture out to buy car tires and find a good buy on brand-name tires that look new and show no signs of wear. It’s no problem making the purchase and crossing that chore off your list, right? Wrong.

Families across Ohio are hurt every day by scam artists. Each year, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office receives thousands of complaints from individual consumers who have been defrauded. To fight back against financial predators, the Attorney General’s Office will host three fraud forums around Ohio in April and May.

The harsh winter has prompted many Ohioans to dream of warmer weather and tropical beaches. While the marketing of spring break travel packages may entice people to sign up for the first bargain they see advertised, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office cautions consumers to research travel packages thoroughly and ask questions. Don’t let the promise of a few days of fun turn into an expensive nightmare!