Consumer Advocate 

A new home often involves hiring a moving company, but watch out for the red flags of a scam so you don’t get defrauded in the process.

Search engines typically make money through advertising, but scam ads sometimes make their way into search-engine results. Learn how to avoid such ads and protect yourself when searching online.

Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act protects consumers from high-pressure door-to-door sales by providing a three-day “cooling off” period during which a contract can be canceled. Learn more about your rights before that next knock on your front door.

Before booking a summer vacation, learn how to spot vacation-rental scams. Spend a little time researching your vacation destination in order to avoid losing money and ensure a good time.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office opened more than 500 civil and criminal investigations in 2022. Likewise, it initiated 43 lawsuits for various unfair, deceptive or unconscionable business practices, and obtained 44 judgments and “assurances of voluntary compliance” that totaled more than $50 million in consumer restitution, civil penalties, costs and other relief for Ohioans. This month, we examine a lawsuit filed in January against a “home warranty” company by our office.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office files dozens of consumer protection cases each year to protect all Ohioans and enforce laws enacted to keep them safe in the marketplace. In this occasional column, we examine a home-improvement lawsuit filed in November 2022.

With tax season approaching, you may be considering hiring a tax preparer. Before you do, though, review this checklist.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office commemorated Data Privacy Week last month by educating Ohioans on how to maintain their privacy online. Check out these helpful tips.

Valentine’s Day can be a time to seek out that special someone, and con artists know it. “Sweetheart” scammers may spend countless hours chatting with a victim before requesting money for bogus reasons, such as airfare to visit.

Whether it’s “notarios” who pass themselves off as lawyers or other scammers, predators are always looking to take advantage of immigrants and their community.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is taking Dollar General and Family Dollar to court for allegedly advertising goods for one price on shelves and charging a higher price at the register.

When selling products or services online – either through popular auction sites or online stores – scammers may be eager to respond. Learn how to spot a scammer so you don’t wind up losing money.

As temperatures fall and energy rates rise, Ohioans may wonder how to keep heating costs low, including where to turn for assistance. Read more about making safe and smart choices when heating your home this winter.

Scammers are increasingly using text messages to imitate legitimate businesses to steal your personal and financial information. Learn how to spot signs of a scam text. 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Follow these seven steps to enhance your security when using online devices.

In this second Cybersecurity Awareness Month article, parents and their children can learn how to protect themselves while gaming and when using social media.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and 32 other attorneys general announced a proposed $438.5 million settlement with JUUL Labs stemming from a two-year multistate investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer’s misguided marketing and sales practices.

Consumers can protect themselves against identity theft by taking two simple steps: freezing your credit with the three major credit bureaus and establishing an Identity Protection PIN with the Internal Revenue Service.
 

Also coinciding with back-to-school season, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is cautioning students and their parents about apartment and home rental scams.
 

As a new school year approaches, you can save some money by taking advantage of Ohio’s sales-tax holiday, which runs from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7.
 

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Robocall Enforcement Unit took legal action against the perpetrators of a scheme responsible for bombarding U.S. consumers with billions of illegal robocalls. Read more about this recent lawsuit and other actions taken to protect consumers throughout the Buckeye State.
 

Learn more about cryptocurrency and how to avoid being scammed when using it as a payment method.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section offers free presentations – in person or online – on topics ranging from cybersecurity to consumer scams.

Although older adults are most vulnerable to scams, the Gen-Z population and other younger generations are not immune. Read on to find out how scams are snaring younger consumers in increasing numbers.

Fairs are meant for fun, but keep your guard up for potential scams and fraud when visiting sales booths at upcoming state, county and independent fairs.

While many consumers have a presence on social media, some may not realize how widespread scams are on those sites. Read about these scams and how to prevent falling for them.

With temperatures rising, you may be starting new home improvement projects. In order to avoid being scammed, be sure to research any companies or contractors you plan to use prior to starting. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Did you know that Ohio has more than 25 consumer protection laws? This article explores various laws that you may not even know exist in our state that are designed to protect you.