Consumer Advocate 

Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning Ohioans to be on the lookout for a scam involving the promise of “airport jobs.” Recent reports to the Attorney General’s Office suggest Ohioans are receiving fliers and phone calls from a man attempting to persuade unsuspecting job hunters to wire transfer money in exchange for uniforms.

College students in search of off-campus housing options have a lot to consider, including location, condition, square footage, parking, and price. In addition to checking online advertisements and bulletin boards on and near campus, apartment hunters should be sure to visit the properties they’re considering and, if possible, talk with current residents about the apartment and their experiences with the landlord.

With all the stress of wedding planning, it can be difficult to sort the good vendors from the not-so-good! Researching wedding vendors and asking important questions can go a long way to help you avoid problems on your big day.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine offered consumers advice on how to protect their personal information in the aftermath of a widespread Internet security glitch called the Heartbleed bug.

The final member of a Circleville area criminal ring that used home-repair scams to swindle more than $137,000 from elderly consumers in Fairfield, Franklin, Pickaway, and Ross counties has pleaded guilty to felonies in the case.

From phony jury duty notices to fake ambulance bill collectors, Ohioans continue to report that scammers are posing as legitimate companies and government agencies to trick consumers into sending money and revealing their personal information.

Reports to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office suggest insurance-related schemes may be on the rise. Unscrupulous companies may use deceptive advertising to get consumers to unknowingly enroll in an insurance plan or reveal personal information.

Scammers use a variety of tactics to make their “offers” seem legitimate, including phony emails containing malicious links. Consumers have reported receiving legitimate-looking emails with subject lines such as “Funeral Notification” or “Passing of Your Friend.” The emails appear to originate from a funeral home.

In an effort to warn Ohioans about online scammers, the Attorney General’s Office has released several new educational videos about cybersecurity. They feature experts from the Attorney General’s Office explaining how to protect your personal information and avoid scams when browsing online.

Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that he and 19 other attorneys general and the city attorney of San Francisco entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Phusion Projects LLC and its officers, Jaisen Freeman, Christopher Hunter, and Jeffrey Wright (collectively, “Phusion”).

If you are considering a home repair this spring, make sure you know how to find a good contractor and avoid scammers.

As consumers of all ages rely more and more on technology, it’s important to understand how to protect your electronic devices and keep personal information private. That’s the goal of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s new educational initiative on cybersecurity.

You venture out to buy car tires and find a good buy on brand-name tires that look new and show no signs of wear. It’s no problem making the purchase and crossing that chore off your list, right? Wrong.

Families across Ohio are hurt every day by scam artists. Each year, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office receives thousands of complaints from individual consumers who have been defrauded. To fight back against financial predators, the Attorney General’s Office will host three fraud forums around Ohio in April and May.

The harsh winter has prompted many Ohioans to dream of warmer weather and tropical beaches. While the marketing of spring break travel packages may entice people to sign up for the first bargain they see advertised, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office cautions consumers to research travel packages thoroughly and ask questions. Don’t let the promise of a few days of fun turn into an expensive nightmare!

The Attorney General’s Office works every day to protect Ohio families from unfair and deceptive business practices and scams. The office accepts and handles consumer complaints through an informal dispute resolution process to assist consumers and businesses in reaching a mutual agreement to resolve issues.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is on many people’s minds. Some Ohioans are sure to meet that special someone online, perhaps through a dating website or social media. Some may truly find companionship, but others may actually be connecting with potential scammers.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office recently filed five lawsuits against Northeast Ohio car dealerships for failing to deliver motor vehicle titles as required by law. The Attorney General is seeking more than $32,000 in total reimbursements from the dealerships for payments made to resolve consumer complaints.

Imagine receiving a fax or letter from an unfamiliar company attempting to collect payment for a product or service. The company provides a legitimate-looking “invoice” and requests immediate payment. Unfortunately, businesses across the state are reporting similar experiences to the Attorney General’s Office.

Imagine filing your taxes only to learn that someone stole your identity, filed your tax return, and received a refund in your name. Unfortunately, this scenario may be a reality for many consumers this tax season.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced a lawsuit against Darren C. Sizemore for sending unsolicited text messages to hundreds of thousands of consumers without their permission. 

Finding a new career is at the top of many Ohioans’ lists of resolutions. If you are in the market for a new job, you may have noticed job postings that sound too good to be true. What you may not know is that scammers who want to steal your money — and maybe even your identity — create many of these postings.

To help stay updated on the latest trends in consumer fraud, you can now sign up to receive scam alerts from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Many consumers plan to spread the joy of the holiday season by donating to various charities. Unfortunately, many scammers plan to take advantage of consumers’ generosity by posing as legitimate charities and accepting “donations.” Before donating this holiday season, research the charities that you plan to help and learn the warning signs of a scam. 

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with the attorneys general of 36 other states and the District of Columbia, announced a $17 million settlement with Google Inc. concerning its placement of third-party cookies on Safari Web browsers during 2011 and 2012.

Retail stores everywhere are advertising online deals for the holiday season. With all of the email offers, website ads, and links posted on social media, it can sometimes be hard to distinguish between what is real and what is a scam. Many of those advertisements are ploys for you to click on malicious links or unknowingly reveal your personal information.

With the new year just around the corner, are you resolving to lose weight, learn to dance, or meet that new someone special? If so, you should be aware of the consumer rights involving “prepaid entertainment contracts.” In Ohio, state consumer protections apply to certain personal services for which a contract requires payment prior to you receiving any of the services that you have purchased. This includes many of the following:

• Gym and health spa memberships
• Dating services
• Dance lessons
• Martial arts instruction

Stores are already advertising seasonal décor and gift ideas, spurring the beginnings of holiday spirit among many of us. But before making all those purchases on your shopping list, be sure to read advertisements closely and review your consumer rights.