Consumer Advocate 

Many consumers plan to spread the joy of the holiday season by donating to various charities. Unfortunately, many scammers plan to take advantage of consumers’ generosity by posing as legitimate charities and accepting “donations.” Before donating this holiday season, research the charities that you plan to help and learn the warning signs of a scam. 

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with the attorneys general of 36 other states and the District of Columbia, announced a $17 million settlement with Google Inc. concerning its placement of third-party cookies on Safari Web browsers during 2011 and 2012.

Retail stores everywhere are advertising online deals for the holiday season. With all of the email offers, website ads, and links posted on social media, it can sometimes be hard to distinguish between what is real and what is a scam. Many of those advertisements are ploys for you to click on malicious links or unknowingly reveal your personal information.

With the new year just around the corner, are you resolving to lose weight, learn to dance, or meet that new someone special? If so, you should be aware of the consumer rights involving “prepaid entertainment contracts.” In Ohio, state consumer protections apply to certain personal services for which a contract requires payment prior to you receiving any of the services that you have purchased. This includes many of the following:

• Gym and health spa memberships
• Dating services
• Dance lessons
• Martial arts instruction