It is clear that Ohioans are fed up with companies not fulfilling promises and providing shoddy service. Last year, consumers reported to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray’s office a record number of complaints about how they were treated in the marketplace. This year’s total – 30,259 – is a 20 percent increase from 2008.

The numbers prove that Ohioans are sick and tired of being nickel and dimed by those who try to deceive them or who fail to follow through on their promises.

Attorney General Cordray addressed the top 10 areas of complaint of 2009 in a recent broadcast of “Cordray’s Consumer Solutions” on WSYX-TV in Columbus.

The year’s top 10 complaints concerned:

1. Motorized vehicles
2. Collections, credit reporting and financial services
3. Household goods and property improvement
4. Internet and phone
5. Shopping, food and beverages
6. Mortgage (lenders, servicers, foreclosure rescue companies)
7. Computers and electronics
8. Professional services
9. Health and beauty
10. Utilities

The high number of complaints means that not only are individuals helping themselves – through the office’s complaint resolution process and legal action, approximately $7 million in consumer restitution, civil penalties, costs and other relief was generated in 2009 – they are also helping their families, friends and neighbors.

A large number of complaints helps the office take legal action to shut down unscrupulous operators, because through the complaint resolution process the office’s Consumer Protection Section staffers can keep their fingers on the pulse of Ohio’s marketplace.

They track companies, watch for trends and stay on top of scams to order to ensure Ohio consumers are treated fairly and have recourse from deceptive practices.

In 2009, largely in answer to consumer complaints, the office filed 37 cases against companies that were taking advantage of Ohioans.

Without complaints – without consumers acting on their frustration at feeling mistreated – the office could not have filed any of these lawsuits.

So, to further assist Ohioans who have had enough, this year the office made filing a complaint easy by introducing a one-step process for those who call our hotline at (800) 282-0515 and beefing up the online complaint filing system. Now, more than ever, filing a complaint is quick and easy.

So if something in the marketplace is frustrating you, resolve this year to do something about it. You will be doing yourself – and others – a big favor.
 

Links

Cordray: Ohio Consumer Complaints Hit Record in 2009 – Ohio Attorney General’s Office