Scams

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has warned Ohioans to be on the lookout for sweepstakes scams. In 2011, the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section logged nearly 1,500 complaints about sweepstakes and prizes that reportedly cost Ohioans about $2 million in losses.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine praised this week's passage by the Ohio House of Representatives of new legislation that will strengthen his ability to go after cyber fraud and assist in prosecutions. State Sen. Kevin Bacon (R-Minerva Park) sponsored SB 223 and Rep. Ross McGregor (R-Springfield) sponsored companion legislation.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is encouraging Ohio families to guard their personal information and avoid online scams in recognition of International Data Privacy Day that took place on Saturday, January 28.

With the New Year, many Ohioans may be looking to rework their investment strategy for 2012.  David Goodman, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, said the new year is a good time for Ohioans to review their investments and set their investing goals.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine reminded Ohioans this week to be smart when making holiday charitable donations and also unveiled a new tool to aid in those efforts: an online search of registered charities in good standing with the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

The Ohio Department of Commerce warns Ohioans to be on guard against companies that offer loans that require advance fees.  These “companies”, which typically solicit customers on their websites, may appear to have a business address in Ohio, which often is fictitious.

As Ohioans prepare for the holiday season, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has shared consumer tips and information to help avoid shopping season scammers' attempts to ruin your holiday celebration.  DeWine also revealed smart shopper secrets for spending.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine Thursday announced that a cooperative investigation by the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Broward County, Florida, has resulted in Noel A. Colqhoun of Lauderhill, Florida, being charged with Grand Theft, a felony of the third degree, as a result of his alleged involvement in a "grandparent scam" that victimized an elderly Cuyahoga County woman.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine Monday announced a lawsuit against online seller Egyptian Cotton Warehouse for multiple violations of Ohio consumer law. In 46 complaints filed within the Ohio Attorney General's Office and/or the Better Business Bureau, consumers said the Cincinnati-area based company, which sold home linens and bedding products, didn't deliver in one of two ways.

Ohioans can protect their hard-earned money by being alert to the top five investment scams being perpetrated against Ohio investors, says David Goodman, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce.

For the fourth consecutive year, Ponzi schemes lead the list of the Division's top five investment scams. The list contains the financial products and practices that con artists are using to entice investors in the midst of volatile stock markets and a challenging economy.