Consumer Rights in Ohio
Ohio has strict consumer rights governing telemarketing, bill collection and lemon laws. Other Ohio consumer rights laws involve credit bureaus, home improvement work and advertising. The Ohio Attorney General's office handles reports made by consumers by investigating the claims and administering fines or judgments against the guilty parties. More than 25 consumer rights laws are enforced by the Ohio Attorney General's office.
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Abusive Business Tactics
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Consumers in Ohio are protected against abusive business tactics, such as bill collectors calling your place of employment when they are told to stop. Bill collectors are obligated to adhere to a strict set of guidelines for contacting you. For instance, the collector is only allowed to call during the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and may not discuss the debt with anyone but you. Also, the bill collector is not allowed to use threats or foul language during the phone call. The bill collector must also identify themselves to you when calling about a debt.
Ohio Lemon Law
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The Ohio lemon law does not only cover vehicles, but also other consumer goods such as computers, appliances and boats that have required significant repairs under the original manufacturer's warranty. The law allows you to receive a refund or replacement for the damaged product. You may also be entitled to monetary compensation under certain circumstances. If you must take the business to court, your consumer rights in Ohio allow you to claim the attorney fees as part of the judgment.
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Telemarketing
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The Telephone Solicitation Sales Act of 1996 protects your consumer rights in Ohio. The telemarketer has 60 seconds when the phone conversation begins to state his real name, the name of the company he represents and his reason for calling. The solicitor is not allowed to call phone numbers listed on the do-not-call registry. If you make a sales agreement over the telephone, the sale is not binding unless the company receives a written and signed agreement from you. The Ohio Attorney General's office also enforces all federal telemarketing laws.
Ohio Attorney General Consumer Protection Laws
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A list of the consumer protection laws is located on the Ohio Attorney General's website. These consumer rights acts include anti-pyramid sales act, consumer sales practices act and short-term lender laws. For instance, in Ohio, a payday lender is only allowed to charge a rate of 28 percent annual interest; and if it is an Internet lender, the company must have a registered Ohio location. Other consumer rights cover gift cards, such as the card must not expire within two years of purchase. If no expiration date is listed, the funds stay valid until redemption.
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References
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