Consumer Advocate 

You may have the best of intentions to become healthier in the New Year, but before purchasing a product or service, be sure to do your homework to help prevent a well-intentioned goal from becoming a disappointment.

With more than 30 different sections, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office serves Ohio citizens in many ways, including a variety of outreach services and training resources that are free to the public. Among the available trainings and services are programs for consumers, charities, crime victims, and small businesses. 

Are you planning to purchase a new appliance or hire a home contractor? Before making these costly investments, protect yourself by learning more about your consumer rights when it comes to warranties and service contracts. 

Savvy consumers may be familiar with “malware,” which is short for malicious software. They also may know never to click on unfamiliar or suspicious links, attachments, or pop-up windows to avoid malware. However, today’s technology presents us with a danger that is not so easy to recognize or avoid: “malvertising,” or malicious advertising.

The Ohio Attorney General’s eighth-annual Take Action Video Contest gives Ohio high school students the opportunity to learn about consumer protection while creating a short video for the chance to win college scholarships.

Fraud can be difficult to detect, but recognizing payment methods used regularly in scams can help consumers spot one sign of a potential problem.

If you own a home or motor vehicle, you likely have paid for repairs or services in the past, or you may be planning to pay for repairs or services in the future. To make the most of your money, understand your rights as a consumer. 

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to catch up on the latest computer repair and tech support scams that can trap consumers into revealing personal information or paying for phony assistance with their digital devices.

Ohio families soon will have a new way to protect their children’s identities. 

Have you ever watched, read, or heard an advertisement and thought to yourself, “There’s got to be a catch,” or “This simply seems too good to be true”? 

Con artists know how complicated health insurance can be and are eager to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. 

When consumers search for a locksmith, it is often when they need help in a crisis, such as being locked out of their own home or car. 

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the launch of a new multi-media outreach initiative to increase Ohioans’ awareness of scams, fraud, and identity theft and how they can protect themselves.

Buying a car is a major purchase. 

Have you ever been contacted by a “friend” on social media who has a great offer for you or who tells you that you’ve unexpectedly won money? 

Imagine investing thousands of dollars into your own small business and then being targeted by scammers. 

In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week (March 6-12, 2016), the Ohio Attorney General’s Office wants to remind you about some of your rights as a consumer. 

When most people think of identity theft, they likely think of opening fraudulent accounts, making unauthorized credit card charges, or taking money out of a bank account without permission. 

Placing a landline or cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry can help reduce telemarketing calls, but it may not stop all unwanted calls. Here are some reasons why.

In early February, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that Ohio was part of a $13 million settlement with MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc. over concerns that consumers used MoneyGram to make payments that were induced by fraud.

The beginning of a new year is the traditional time for people to work toward a healthier lifestyle. 

Did you receive a new mobile device such as a laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone for the holidays? 

The Internet has made communication faster and easier. 

If you are concerned about identity theft or want to understand the information that creditors access when you apply for a mortgage, apartment, credit card, car loan, or any other type of credit, check your credit report. 

Free, public Wi-Fi can be an easy way to connect online while on the go

The sales pitch may be tempting: trade some or all of your future pension in exchange for a lump sum of cash. 

Sprint and Verizon customers who experienced unauthorized third-party charges on their cell phone bills (a practice known as “mobile cramming”) have until Dec. 31, 2015, to seek refunds under national settlements Attorney General DeWine announced earlier this year.

Imagine having tickets for an upcoming concert or sporting event, but realizing at the last minute you aren’t able to go. After trying unsuccessfully to sell to someone you know, you post the tickets for sale online.