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Attorney General DeWine Seeks Consumer Restitution from Heating and Cooling Repairman

1/29/2015

(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a Zanesville man who did business as Alan Able Heating and Cooling for failing to deliver promised services to consumers.

Filed in the Muskingum County Common Pleas Court, the lawsuit accuses Alan Vohs of violating the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.

“Our goal is to bring this supplier into compliance with Ohio law and to obtain restitution for affected consumers,” Attorney General DeWine said. “In Ohio, it’s unfair and deceptive for suppliers to take consumers’ money without delivering the goods or services they were paid to provide.”

Alan Able Heating and Cooling offered repairs and services on heating and cooling units, such as furnaces, air conditioners, and refrigerators, to Ohio consumers throughout Muskingum County and Guernsey County.

Since 2014, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received six consumer complaints against Alan Able Heating and Cooling with about $1,685 in total losses.

Consumers said they paid Alan Able Heating and Cooling for services that were never completed or were shoddy. In some cases, consumers were left with inoperable furnaces or air conditioners. Although Vohs promised to return to correct the issues, he failed to do so.

The lawsuit charges Alan Vohs, doing business as Alan Able Heating and Cooling, with failing to deliver, performing shoddy services, and failing to properly register a business name with the Ohio Secretary of State. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks a declaration that these acts and practices violate the Consumer Sales Practices Act, an injunction to stop further violations, civil penalties, and consumer restitution.

Attorney General DeWine encourages consumers to research home improvement suppliers before doing business with them. Consumers can search for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau. They also can check for filing information with the Ohio Secretary of State and perform a basic Internet search to find information.

Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.

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Documents

Lawsuit (PDF)

Media Contacts

Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840

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