Consumer Advocate 

Data breaches at various companies have made the news lately. As consumers, it is important to understand what a data breach is and what it means to have your personal information compromised.

Are you planning to shop online this holiday season? If so, it helps to know what to look for in an online retailer to improve your chances of being a satisfied shopper.

If you’re planning to travel during the holiday season, we have some tips and considerations regarding flight, hotels and travel insurance.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Attorney General Dave Yost wants to help Ohioans be safer online. To that end, Yost’s office identifies specific areas in which consumers can improve their online security.

Impostor scams are on the rise, with fraudsters frequently posing as government agencies, companies or charities. Learn more about a recent impostor scam reported by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.

Are you a parent trying to navigate, monitor or manage your children’s use of social media? If so, a new publication by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office might be just what you need. Read on for more details.

If a debt collector contacts you, it’s crucial to understand your rights and identify whether the collector is legitimate or a scam artist looking for a victim.

This is the season for concerts, sporting events and outdoor festivals. Be on the lookout for deals too good to be true.

Impostors who claim to have spotted fraud or criminal activity on your bank or investment account can end up emptying your life savings under the guise of “protecting” your money.

Remember: If you’re asked to move your money to protect it, it’s likely a scam.

OHIO SALES TAX HOLIDAY - GOOD NEWS TO KNOW

This year, the sales-tax holiday will span 10 days – from Tuesday July 30 through Thursday Aug. 8. The event permits tax-free online and in-person purchases on all eligible items up to $500 per item. Though traditionally associated with back-to-school purchases, the holiday includes many other items. The few exceptions include boats, automobiles, liquor, tobacco, vapor products and items containing marijuana.

Be cautious about the information you include in a loved one’s obituary because “pirates” use personal information posted online to steal identities. Scammers might also exploit information provided on surviving family members.

It’s important to know your rights when signing up for contests or purchasing items at summertime fairs, festivals, expositions and similar events.

If you carry a credit-card balance from month to month, you’re already paying extra in finance charges and interest. Debt-relief scams can end up costing you even more.

In January 2024, a grand jury indicted a man on more than 300 felony charges linked to a gift-card counterfeiting operation.

Viral videos featuring celebrity endorsements on social media can be deceiving. Many are fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Learn to recognize these so-called deepfake videos to safeguard your personal information and finances and to avoid falling victim to such scams.

Spring is a time when many homeowners start thinking about – and making – home improvements. Before hiring anyone to work on your home, make research a top priority. You’ll protect yourself from potential scams by staying informed and vigilant.

If you’re planning to use your tax refund for a major purchase or repair, it’s important to carefully explore financing options to ensure responsible spending. The key is maximizing the benefits to enhance your financial stability.

Many people who are seeking work-from-home opportunities often turn to the internet to find openings. The online realm, however, is rife with job scammers, so do some research before submitting an application. Read on for more information and tips to avoid job scams.

Keeping your personal information safe while online is an important aspect of the modern home and workplace. A virtual private network (VPN) is a key tool for enhancing your online security. This article discusses the purpose of VPNs and whether you would benefit from using one.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office finalized an agreement with Dollar General that ensures prices will ring up correctly at the register and also provides funding to food banks and other hunger-relief organizations across Ohio.

With tax season here, the thought of engaging a tax preparer may cross your mind. Before proceeding take a moment to review this checklist.

Find out how the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Legislature are working to ensure a safer environment for Ohio teens on social-media platforms.
 

Scams can and do affect people of all ages. Explore the scams that directly target senior citizens or other audiences, including younger adults and teenagers.
 

The end of one year (and the start of another) is a good time to take stock of your subscriptions with recurring charges. Whether you’re paying for streaming services, a coffee-of-the-month club or other subscriptions, you can save money by canceling any you no longer need or use.
 

As winter descends on Ohio, residents may face weather-related challenges, including higher heating bills and other expenses. Read on to learn more about assistance options that could help ease the strain on your budget.
 

With data breaches becoming increasingly common, many of us have received a notice about our personal information having been compromised. You can learn more about what constitutes a data breach and, more importantly, how to respond to a breach to safeguard your privacy.

In conjunction with state and federal partners, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office proactively works to combat illegal robocalls. The most recent such efforts include Operation Stop Scam Calls.

It has become a holiday tradition of sorts to see decorations and special sales popping up in retail stores earlier each year. As the holiday season nears, it makes good sense to learn more about smart shopping.