NBC4 is hosting a CALL 4 for National Consumer Protection Week. Representatives from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office will be available March 6 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. to answer questions and address concerns about unfair or deceptive practices. Call 844-44-CALL4 or 844-442-2554.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — March 2-8 is National Consumer Protection Week, an effort by local, state and national agencies to make consumers aware of their rights, ongoing scam tactics, and the preventative steps they can take to protect their money and personal information.
“Whether we’re talking about somebody that promised they were going to fix your house and they didn’t, or you thought you were getting a car with a certain number of miles on it and it turns out that somebody rolled the odometer back, or just routine rip-offs and scams, we want to know about it,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.
His office is just one of the agencies behind the week-long initiative.
“And even if we’re not able to make your situation right, the fact that you called in may give us enough power to be able to stop somebody else from getting ripped off the same way,” Yost said. “Because once they find a scam that works, they keep doing it until somebody makes them stop.”
Whatever your consumer concern may be, the attorney general offered this advice — protect yourself.
“Be smart. Your grandma told you, ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably is,'” Yost said. “She was right. Another thing is to guard your information like it’s, you know, gold.”
Additionally:
- Never share money or personal information with someone you don’t know or haven’t met.
- Use credit cards to make payments, as they offer more protections.
- Get all agreements in writing.
And know your rights. If you aren’t sure where to start, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, and the Federal Trade Commission have more information and additional resources to help.