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Scam alert: online notarization

“Online webcam notarization” is invalid in Ohio, but at least one company is claiming to provide a web-based notary service to consumers throughout the U.S.

Under Ohio law, if you need to get a document notarized to verify your signature on the document, you must be physically present with the notary public at the time you sign the document.

7/25/2011

Scam alert: advance fee loans

Consumers throughout Ohio are reporting losing money to advance fee loan scams. In some cases, they send hundreds of dollars out of the country for loans that are nonexistent.

For example, a Central Ohio consumer received a call saying she qualified for a loan worth up to $5,000. In order to receive the loan, she first had to send $300 via wire transfer to India. She sent the money, but never received the loan. It was all a scam.

9/21/2011

Safety recalls and alerts: New crib standards

New crib standards from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) prohibit the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs.  They also require importers, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers to offer only cribs that meet new mandatory rules, including:

7/25/2011

Safety recalls and alerts

May 31, 2011 – Bicycle Helmets Recalled by Bell Sports Due to Head Injury Hazard: The plastic buckle that connects the chin straps can fail, causing the helmet to come off the wearer’s head. Consumers should stop using the helmets immediately and contact Bell Sports by calling 866-892-6059, via e-mail at answer_desk@bellsports.com, or by visiting the firm's website at www.bellsports.com for a replacement or refund.

6/27/2011

Reporting wire-transfer fraud

If you or someone you know loses money in a scam involving a wire transfer, file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and report the fraud to the wire transfer company.

Report fraud to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office by filing a consumer complaint at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConsumerComplaint or calling 800-282-0515. Keep in mind that once money has been sent via wire transfer, it can be very difficult – if not impossible – to recover. Nevertheless, complaints are an important tool for tracking potential criminal activity.

10/26/2011

Recent Legal Action

Gabbard Cars, Inc. (Medina County): A judge ordered Gabbard Cars to pay more than $68,000 for failing to transfer vehicle titles properly and mishandling consumers' payments. In the March 9 judgment, the judge agreed with Attorney General Cordray that the auto dealer's actions violated Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act and Title Defect Rescission Act.

4/15/2009

Protect Your Small Business from Scams

Every day the Ohio Attorney General’s Office receives complaints from consumers and businesses working hard to make ends meet. Among these complaints are reports of scams targeting businesses.  

3/21/2012

Protect your child from identity theft

Child identity theft occurs when someone fraudulently uses a child’s identity for personal gain.

The imposter may be a family member, friend or a stranger. He or she may use the child’s name and Social Security number to open new accounts for cell phones, utilities, credit cards and even mortgages.

4/27/2011

Pinnacle Security Customers May Be Eligible for Refunds

File a complaint by Feb. 10, 2012

1/18/2012

Oil and gas exploration and drilling

Ohio has a wealth of both oil and natural gas. Since the late 1860s, Ohio has been home to oil and gas drilling. Oil and gas wells are permitted and regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resources Management (ODNR-DMRM). In 2010, 431 new oil and gas wells were drilled. There are approximately 64,378 active wells in Ohio.

6/21/2011

Ohio's rogue prescription crisis

Ohio's families and communities are under siege by the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs.

A recent execution-style double homicide in Ashtabula County is the latest link in a disturbing chain of prescription drug-fueled crimes. The Ashtabula County sheriff said that the trafficking of OxyContin and Percocet -- the two most popular prescription drugs in his jurisdiction -- was "running wild."

3/8/2011

Ohio to get tough on scam artists

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine wants to make sure the people who rip off our families, friends, and neighbors face criminal penalties.

In early March, Attorney General DeWine announced that former Jackson County Prosecutor Jonathan Blanton will join the office’s Consumer Protection Section to assist local county prosecutors in the preparation and prosecution of consumer fraud cases.

3/24/2011

Ohio Supreme Court: out-of-state lawyers may not offer debt settlement legal services to Ohioans

When looking for debt settlement lawyers online, you must find an attorney who has the ability to practice law in Ohio, not just firms that advertise themselves as “national firms.”

The Supreme Court of Ohio Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline issued an advisory opinion on October 7th stating that out-of-state lawyers are not practicing law if they are representing an Ohioan in a debt-settlement case.

11/14/2011

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is devastating to the victim, family, and community. The Ohio Attorney General's Office works hard to shine a light on this problem and help those who are victims.

One way anyone can show their awareness of domestic violence is to incorporate purple, the official color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, into their lives during October. This can be done by wearing some type of purple clothing during the month. Another opportunity to show awareness is to use a purple light bulb for a home’s porch light.

10/7/2011

November is National Runaway Prevention Month

November marks National Runaway Prevention Month. It’s an effort to call attention to the estimated 1.6 to 2.8 million children in a year who run away.

Reporting a missing person is the first step a family member or other loved one can take when faced with this situation. There is also the Missing Persons Checklist available from the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Leads to the whereabouts of missing persons can also be submitted.

11/8/2011

Northeast Ohio students win high school video contest

As part of National Consumer Protection Week (March 6–12), Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the three winning teams for the 2010 Take Action High School Video Contest.

The first place team was Billy Lewandowski and Todd Thompson from Pymatuning Valley High School (Ashtabula County), who won a $2,500 scholarship for their video, “Too good to be true? It probably is.”

3/24/2011

Need money for college? Watch for scams

With the cost of college steadily increasing, many Ohioans are looking for creative ways to finance a college education.

To apply for federal financial aid for free, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. Other similar-sounding websites and companies may charge fees for their services.

For example, a Central Ohio consumer said she completed what she thought was a free government application for financial aid. She later discovered that it was an application to a student aid advisory service that charged $79 to complete the application.

5/23/2011

National Consumer Protection Week 2012

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is proud to join government and nonprofit organizations across the country to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week, coming March 4-10, 2012.

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and to make better-informed decisions.

1/12/2012

National Consumer Protection Week 2011

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Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is proud to join government and nonprofit organizations across the country to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week, coming March 6-12, 2011.

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and to make better-informed decisions.

2/14/2011

Money Gone in a Poof? Don’t Fall for the Spoof.

 Have you ever looked at the phone number appearing on your caller ID and wondered who really was calling you?

3/21/2012

Lose Weight Safely; Avoid Diet Scams

A common New Year’s resolution is to live a healthier life by losing weight gained over the holidays.

Although there are several legitimate weight loss products available, be aware that some scam artists advertise phony products, claiming to help consumers lose weight with little or no effort.

1/18/2012

Layaway: is it right for you?

Many companies have brought back layaway plans for the holiday season. But before you put a purchase on layaway, make sure you understand what it is and how it works.

Layaway plans allow you to pay installments for items on reserve. You receive the item when it is paid in full.

11/14/2011

Law enforcement officers earn awards for service

In September 2010, officers of the Central Vice Control Section of the Cincinnati Police Department noticed members of a motorcycle gang at a local bar not known as a biker bar.

Police knew there had been skirmishes between rival gangs and “takeovers” of local bars in which a gang would lock it down and line up patrons to see if any belonged to a rival gang. There were warnings out, too, that a gang’s “enforcer” was in the area.

10/14/2011

Join Us for National Consumer Protection Week

With so many consumers living on the brink of financial crisis, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4-10, 2012, aims to help consumers make informed financial decisions through a coordinated consumer education campaign.

2/23/2012

Is your phone safe from hackers?

Many mobile phones today are essentially mini-computers. They can be conveniently used to browse the Web, check e-mail, and make financial transactions.

But without proper security features, hackers may be able to use fairly simple technology to manipulate your phone and the information stored in it.


9/21/2011

Is that check real? Or a scam?

If you receive an unexpected check or money order that looks real — beware. It probably is a fake check scam.

How can you tell? Here’s one certain sign: It will direct you to deposit the check into your account and send money in return, keeping a nice “bonus” for yourself.

10/12/2011

Internet safety: What parents need to know

Many children use the Internet every day, yet parents may not realize what information their children are sharing online, what content they are viewing, or what software they are downloading.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 34 percent of 10- to 17-year-olds had posted their real names, telephone numbers, home addresses, or the names of their schools online, and 45 percent had posted their dates of birth or their ages. Plus, one third of young Internet users (34 percent) had an unwanted exposure to sexual material.

6/27/2011

How to handle unwanted calls

Unwanted phone calls can be frustrating. Calls may come at inconvenient times, and you may have trouble determining who is calling you.

The following will help you understand and deal with unexpected calls.

4/27/2011
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