(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against the owner and operator of A1 Brick Work, a Columbus-area home-improvement contractor accused of violating the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
“My office is committed to protecting Ohio families, and we will take action against home-improvement contractors who fail to live up to their obligations to consumers,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Consumers who have encountered deceptive business practices should file a complaint with my office.”
According to the Attorney General’s lawsuit, Clifford Duff advertised, solicited, and offered home-improvement services to consumers around the Columbus area under the name A1 Brick Work. The business is not registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. Three consumers filed complaints alleging they paid thousands of dollars for work that was not completed as promised. Duff also allegedly failed to provide consumers with a notice of their three-day right to cancel.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in Franklin County, charges Duff with violating the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks injunctive relief, consumer restitution, and civil penalties.
Consumers can help protect themselves from unscrupulous contractors by taking the following steps:
- Check contractors’ reputations with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau.
- Get written estimates from several contractors before making a final decision.
- Get all promises in writing. Make sure the written contract includes the start and end dates and an itemized list of all material costs, labor, and services.
- Be wary if the contract requires a large down payment, such as half of the total cost, or requires that you write the check directly to the contractor instead of his or her company.
- Keep in mind that door-to-door sales contractors are required to give you a three-day right to cancel and cannot begin the work until the three-day period ends.
- Check with the Ohio Secretary of State to confirm that the business is legally registered.
Consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
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Documents
Lawsuit
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840