Consumer Advocate

Sign up for newsletters and other news
Media > Newsletters > Consumer Advocate

Consumer Advocate RSS feeds

How to ensure safe delivery for your holiday packages

When you are shipping packages this holiday season, take a few extra steps to ensure safe delivery.

12/21/2011

How an award received in Washington helps Ohio

What does it mean to an Ohioan that a section chief in the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine went to Washington this week to accept an award?

If you answered that it means taxpayers’ dollars were saved and people in need of medical care got more help, you’d be right.

6/8/2011

Holiday charitable donations: good giving

While the holidays are a time to be generous, be sure your well-intentioned donations are put to good use.

12/21/2011

High School Video Contest: one month left

The 2011 Take Action High School Video Contest, which gives Ohio high school students the opportunity to compete for college scholarships while promoting Internet safety, is open from now until December 15.

11/14/2011

High school video contest now open

Ohio high school students can demonstrate their creative talents and have a chance to win scholarship prizes by entering the 2011 Take Action High School Video Contest.

To enter the contest, high school students may submit a 60-second video on Internet safety. Entries may come from individuals or teams of two students.

9/21/2011

Handling unwanted text messages

Unwanted text messages are not only annoying, but can lead to unauthorized charges on your cell phone bill for services you never requested.

In the last few years, the Ohio Attorney General's Office has seen a rise in complaints dealing with unauthorized phone charges, in some cases connected with unwanted text message spam.

11/14/2011

Free consumer law workshops for small businesses

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is offering educational tools to help small businesses comply with Ohio consumer law.

The Attorney General’s Office enforces more than 25 consumer laws regarding advertising and business sales practices. To help businesses better understand these laws, the office’s Consumer Protection Section offers a free workshop, “Supporting Ohio Small Businesses,” which covers complying with Ohio consumer law and avoiding scams targeting small businesses.

6/27/2011

Flood victims: be wary of unscrupulous home improvement contractors

As Ohioans deal with the effects of major floods, they should be wary of untrustworthy contractors who offer to repair damaged homes.

Beware of contractors who show up unexpectedly.

3/24/2011

Federal benefits to be paid electronically

The U.S. Department of the Treasury now requires all federal benefit and nontax payments to be paid electronically.

People applying for Social Security, Veterans benefits or other federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011 will receive their payments electronically starting with their first payment. People currently receiving federal benefit checks will need to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013.

Those who do not choose an electronic payment option at the time they apply for federal benefits or those who do not switch by the deadline will receive their benefit payments via the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card, so they will not experience any interruption in payment. People who are already receiving benefit payments electronically do not need to take action. They will continue to receive their payment as usual on the payment day.

5/23/2011

Families, colleagues mourn Ohio's fallen officers of 2010

Grace Leon shared a special gift Thursday with the loved ones of the four Ohio peace officers killed in the line of duty in 2010.

The gift of hope.

“I want the survivors to know that sometimes life doesn’t bring you what you want, but I can assure you that life brings you what you need,” said Leon, whose late husband, Cleveland police officer Wayne Leon, was shot while making a traffic stop nearly 11 years ago. “I hope peace fills your hearts and loving memories bring you comfort.”

5/5/2011

Events calendar lists many opportunities to learn

Are you a teacher?

Senior citizen? Child of a senior?

8/9/2011

Dreaming of a spring vacation? Don't get duped

Spring is in the air and vacations are just around the corner. But before you book that long-awaited trip, remember to watch for travel scams and tricky marketing ploys.

Some companies offer “free” vacations, flights or other perks to entice you to sign up for a membership or a more expensive trip.

3/24/2011

Don't pay for government job information

Although Ohio’s unemployment rate has dropped, scam artists continue to advertise phony job opportunities, hoping to take advantage of job seekers who may be desperate to find employment.

A recently reported job scam requests a $38 fee to apply online for state jobs and civil service testing. In reality, government job information is available for free at www.Ohio.gov (state jobs) and www.USAjobs.gov (federal jobs).

4/27/2011

Don't miss important recall notices

Tracking recalls can seem overwhelming, but left unchecked, defective products can cause serious injury or even death, especially to children.

For example, drawstrings on a child’s sweatshirt could cause strangulation, small parts of toys may pose a choking risk and recalled produce could cause food poisoning.

2/10/2011

Don't let 'Grandparent Scam' phone calls fool you

“Hello Grandma?”

“It’s me. Me and my friend are in Canada and got stopped by the police. I need a $1,000 to get out. Could you wire it to me? Please don’t tell mom or dad. You know how they are. Thanks.”

4/1/2011

Don’t let your family fall prey to “grandparent scams”

Grandparents across the state are continuing to lose money to scam artists posing as grandchildren.

Since January, the Attorney General’s Office has received dozens of reports of grandparent scams from consumers across the state. In some cases, victims lose $10,000 or more.

7/25/2011

Dispute resolution: should you pay for it?

Where do you turn for help when you and a company disagree?

Some companies ask for large upfront fees for dispute resolution services, but other organizations offer free help.

10/26/2011

DIRECTV complaint?

Ohio consumers who have outstanding complaints against DIRECTV dating back to January 2007 may be eligible for settlement money, if they file written or online complaints by May 30.

DIRECTV agreed to provide compensation for eligible consumers under a 2010 settlement with the Ohio Attorney General, 48 other states, and the District of Columbia to resolve allegations of deceptive and unfair business practices.

The settlement involved advertising, contract terms and other issues. If you believe you might be eligible, file a written or online complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office by May 30 at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or by mailing a complaint form to the Consumer Protection Section, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, 30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215.www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConsumerComplaint

5/23/2011

Direct Deposit: theft protection for your federal benefit payments

Just months after the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it is retiring paper checks for federal benefit payments and going all-electronic by March 1, 2013, the use of direct deposit is on the upswing – including in the Midwest.

Currently, 88 percent of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in the Midwest are made electronically. While that number is up from 85 percent seven months ago, residents of these states still rely on nearly 1.78 million Social Security paper check payments each month, putting their money at risk of theft or fraud.

10/26/2011

Did you know ...?

The office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine works hard to protect Ohio’s families.

Did you know that the Ohio Attorney General’s office …

4/22/2011

Destined to Be a Star? Evaluate Talent and Model Agencies

Before getting involved with a model or talent agent, be prepared and do plenty of research so you don’t lose money.

1/18/2012

Criminal prosecution of Ohio scammers

In mid-July, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen K. Haller announced the indictment of three individuals for engaging in a tree-trimming theft operation that targeted elderly victims in Greene, Butler, Franklin, and Montgomery Counties.

The indictments were the latest development in a statewide effort to increase the number of consumer protection cases prosecuted criminally.

7/25/2011

Cracking down on cyber fraud

Cyber fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes across the nation. Scammers are increasingly using e-commerce websites like eBay and craigslist, or social media platforms like Facebook to prey on consumers. 

12/21/2011

Consumer lawsuit: Attorney General DeWine sues Cleveland TV retailer

In November, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine sued Cleveland-based TV retailer Northeast Electronics, Inc. for multiple violations of Ohio consumer law.  

12/21/2011

Complaint resolution for small businesses

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine recognizes that Ohio’s small businesses are essential to growing the state’s economy.

In support, the Attorney General’s office provides a free complaint dispute resolution process for small businesses and nonprofits. This effort has helped save small businesses thousands of dollars. 

7/25/2011

Celebrating seniors during Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month, a time to honor our seniors and to encourage everyone, regardless of age, to live life to the fullest. 

Older Ohioans are a valuable resource, with their knowledge, skills and experience. Unfortunately, seniors have long been a target of scam artists, and as the population of older Ohioans grows, that trend likely will continue.

According to recent reports from U.S. Census data, Ohio’s median age is growing, and the number of Ohioans who are 65 and older grew by about seven percent from 2000 to 2010.

5/23/2011

Celebrate National Consumer Protection Week March 6–12

Understanding your consumer rights is important every week of the year, but during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), government and nonprofit organizations across the country gear up to provide a wealth of information on avoiding scams and making the most of your money.

In honor of NCPW 2011, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is joining other government and nonprofit organizations to provide events and workshops throughout the state.

2/10/2011

Car buyers: Beware of flood-damaged cars

This spring, floods devastated many regions throughout the United States.

In addition to the immediate environmental impacts, flooding also can cause serious damage to vehicles, and some damaged vehicles eventually get sold to unsuspecting buyers. 

6/27/2011
Displaying results 393-420 (of 429)
 |<  <  7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16  >  >|