Consumer Advocate 

Valentine’s Day can be a time to seek out that special someone, and con artists know it. Fake online romance, or “sweetheart,” scams are prevalent, so it is important to avoid them and protect your hard-earned money.

As Ohioans enter the tax season, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office encourages consumers to file as early as possible and to use any refund wisely.

The Attorney General’s Office works every day to protect Ohio families from unfair and deceptive business practices and scams. The office accepts and handles consumer complaints through an informal dispute-resolution process to assist consumers and businesses in reaching a mutual agreement to resolve issues. In 2018, the office received 22,877 complaints.

On January 14, 2019, Dave Yost was sworn in as Ohio’s 51st attorney general.  Attorney General Yost brings to the office his extensive experience rooting out fraud, holding the corrupt accountable and reforming government. While serving as prosecuting attorney in Delaware County during a building boom, Yost pursued criminal cases involving contractors who provided shoddy workmanship.

To protect older adults, a new Ohio law expands the definition of elder abuse and the groups of individuals — including pharmacists, first responders, and bankers — required to report suspicions of it. 

Gift cards are a popular present to give and receive, especially for last-minute shoppers and for people without a wish list, but not all gift cards are alike. From expiration dates to potential scams, know the basics about gift cards before making your purchase.

While there are many worthy causes to support, there are also some charity scams that waste donors’ contributions. Learn to be a wise donor by recognizing charitable giving scams and researching organizations you would like to support this holiday season.

If you’re shopping online this holiday season, you’re not alone. Each year, more consumers go online to buy gifts for their friends and family. To help you avoid scams and make the most of your money, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is offering 10 tips for smart online shopping.

Scammers use a variety of tactics to make their offers seem legitimate. Their initial contact may be by telephone, mail, door-to-door, flyers, emails, or phony websites. Be aware of ten signs that these initial contacts may be part of a bigger a scam.

Your smartphone holds your favorite pictures, videos, and apps, but it also contains some of your most personal information. Hackers know this. During October’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, learn several tips to make your smartphone more secure. 

Are you an Ohio high school student looking to earn scholarship money for college? Do you enjoy shooting and editing short videos? If so, put your creativity and consumer knowledge to the test for a chance to win up to $2,500 in college scholarships!

Consumers often wonder how to best prevent identity theft before it happens.  As of September 21, 2018, initial fraud alerts now last for one year and security freezes are free and available to adults and children.  

It can be frustrating to answer the phone and hear an automated telemarketing message, especially when your phone number is on the national Do Not Call Registry. Learning more about robocalls is the first step to controlling unwanted calls.

The thought of winning millions of dollars is exciting, but beware of common sweepstakes scams, including those that appear on social media.

Consumers today often have a variety of options when it comes to paying for products and services – from cash and credit card to mobile wallets and peer-to-peer payment apps. As new methods are developed, it is a good idea to review the features and security of each method. 

With the new school year just around the corner, we’re providing tips for the fall shopping season, including knowing when rain checks may apply, when “free” offers may cost you, and ways to avoid scams.

For most consumers, automobiles are one of life’s biggest expenses. Buying a car, maintaining it, and repairing it can involve many different costs and decisions. Under Ohio law, consumers do not have a general right to cancel the purchase of a used vehicle to get their money back. Therefore, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities before buying a used car.

One option for consumers concerned about their privacy and security on public networks is to subscribe to a virtual private network or VPN service.

Effective July 2, 2018, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is changing how Ohioans will receive their driver’s license or identification card. Instead of receiving a card while you wait at the office, the driver’s license or ID card will be mailed to you from a centralized, secure facility.

Whether you’re going on a long vacation or just taking a short trip, we’ve outlined ways to avoid scams and protect your identity when you travel.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section helps resolve consumer complaints. Learn about how and when to file a consumer complaint. 

With today’s online marketplaces, some people may want to sell items to declutter their homes and make some money. Others may want to buy a product at a reduced price. Whether buying or selling through an online platform, be sure to stay clear of scams by applying four tips. 

Did you know that technology can make the fight against illegal robocalls a little easier? Some products and services – including mobile phone apps – can help stop the calls from reaching you.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced the winners of the 2017 Take Action Video Contest in which Ohio high school students were asked to create 60-second videos about cybersecurity topics. 

Some advertisements promote free, no-risk trials for the latest and greatest product. But watch out! Asking for free items may subject you to additional purchases and payments. 

Some services advertise that bad credit can be erased or your debts can be settled, but it takes a watchful eye to tell the legitimate services from the scam artists. 

It’s that time of year when you or someone you know might be seeking out that special someone, and con artists know it. Fake online romance is prevalent, so we’ve outlined ways to avoid sweetheart scams and protect your hard-earned money.

Do you go online but wonder if you are taking all the right cybersecurity steps? Here are four tips you can apply right now.