(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Senior Solutions of Ohio, of Centerburg, and owner/operator Willis Smith, of Howard. The business claimed to help families with Medicaid eligibility but failed to provide any services after accepting payment, according to the lawsuit.
"Not providing services paid for and not responding to subsequent consumers' inquiries is simply not acceptable," said Attorney General DeWine. "We will continue to go after businesses that operate this way."
Currently, the Attorney General's Office has two complaints on file from senior citizens who said they paid $3,500 and $4,500 respectively to Smith and Senior Solutions to help with Medicaid eligibility paperwork and related services. However, no services were ever rendered, according to the complaints.
Additionally, after the payments, the consumers made numerous attempts to contact Smith and Senior Solutions through phone calls, emails, and voicemails, but none was answered.
The lawsuit, filed in the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas, alleges several violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act, including failure to deliver. The lawsuit seeks restitution to all consumers harmed, injunctive relief, fines and reimbursement of costs.
Attorney General DeWine offers consumers the following tips to help protect themselves:
- Research a business with the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov and the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org before making any payments.
- Ask a business for references of past customers, and contact those customers to ask about their experiences with the business.
- Understand that you do not need to hire a "Medicaid specialist" to apply for Medicaid. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services does not maintain a list of businesses approved to provide these kinds of services.
- Consult with a trusted attorney, family member, or friend.
- Be wary of businesses that require you to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars upfront before they provide any services.
Consumers also can visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or call 800-282-0515 to learn more or to file a complaint against a business they believe treated them unfairly.
Complaint:
Senior Solutions of Ohio (PDF)
Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840