Investigates consumer complaints, white collar crimes, and the fraudulent use of Department of Job and Family Services programs in Greene County.

Works to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. Conducts investigations, sues companies and people who violate the law, develops rules to protect consumers, and educates consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. Collects complaints about consumer fraud and identity theft and makes them available to law enforcement agencies across the country. Service divisions include Advertising Practices, Consumer and Business Education, Enforcement, Financial Practices, Marketing Practices, Planning and Information, and Privacy and Identity Protection.

Enforces the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Ohio Homebuyers’ Protection Act. Investigates complaints related to consumer protection laws and mediates disputes when warranted. Consumers may also look for information about complaints a company may have recieved through the Attorney General's Office as well as information as to how the dispute was resolved. Areas of inquiry include retail purchases, for-profit tax preparers, Internet auctions, pyramid schemes, advertising, business opportunities, home improvements, consumer credit, health spas, mail order businesses, new car parts, automobile repairs repairs, tax preparation companies, etc. Will investigate (and if warranted, prosecute) for-profit mortgage foreclosure counseling companies. Can take complaints on mortgage servicers concerning escrow issues and problems dealing with the application of payments. Cannot address complaints against mortage services concerning modifications or foreclosure issues. Cannot take complaints against banks. Does not provide legal advice or representation as a private attorney. Cannot handle consumer issues regarding the purchase of used cars, public utilities, doctors, lawyers, insurance, real estate, financial investments, and state agencies. Offers consumer tips, printed information, and presentations about consumer issues. May also search for lawsuits the office has filed against individuals and businesses that violate the state’s consumer laws.

Ensures the safety of all amusement rides within the state of Ohio. Provides assistance for consumers who want to report health and safety hazards encountered at traveling carnivals, fairs, theme parks, water parks, penny arcades, or other amusement parks.

Investigates complaints and advocates for residents of long term care facilities. Assists nursing home and group home residents with asserting their rights and with problems concerning Medicare, Medicaid, and social security. Handles complaints of long term care services provided in home and community settings. Promotes volunteer visitation and advocacy services.

Responsible for restaurant and food sanitation inspections, plumbing inspections, tap water testing, and rabies control.

Accepts and, where possible, attempts to resolve complaints regarding the licensing, incompetence, negligence, quality of service, excessive fees, fraud, misrepresentation, unprofessional conduct or other inappropriate business practices of accountants.

Confidential advocacy, education, and information for consumers of long-term care services, including: * Complaint investigation * Consumer advocacy * Long-term care selection assistance * Transition coordination

Accepts complaints and concerns about child care providers in the state of Ohio. Provides information, referrals and assistance on policy questions. Answers questions regarding all child care rules, researched issues concerning child care providers and assists with resolution. Can document complaints for investigation by ODJFS staff or local county agencies.

Provides recreational boating safety tips, investigates consumer complaints about boats, issues product safety recalls, and maintains a database of boats that have been recalled. This agency regulates recreational watercraft. Boating recalls are NOT covered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Accepts and, where possible, attempts to resolve complaints regarding debt collection practices, misrepresentation, fraud, impersonation of government or law enforcement officials, unethical or improper conduct of personnel, or other inappropriate business practices of collection agencies or repossessors. Offers information about The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Violators of acceptable collection behaviors may be liable to consumer for $1000-$1500 compensation fees.

Maintains lists of businesses and charities and provides Business Profiles about them. Accepts reports of unfair business practices and handles complaints dealing with consumer dissatisfaction with businesses and/or their products or services. Provides printed information about consumer topics. Offers accreditation for businesses.

Provides comprehensive reports (including evaluation and accreditation) of charities. Maintains lists of BBB Accredited Charities by industry. Hears complaints dealing with consumer issues with a business and/or their products or services. Handles complaints against doctors or attorneys only in relation to billing issues. Provides recorded and printed information about consumer topics. Offers accreditation for businesses. Assists with concerns about charity donations.

Confidential advocacy, education, and information for consumers of long-term care services, including: * Complaint investigation * Consumer advocacy * Long-term care selection assistance * Transition coordination

Provides the following permits, licenses, and inspectional services (individual department phone numbers are listed behind each description): rat and rabies control, environmental health, nuisance complaints, landfill, trash truck, well water, and septic inspections (225-4362); plumbing permits and inspections (225-4421); housing inspections outside of the Dayton city limits (225-4428); food service operator licenses, bar, grocery, restaurant, swimming pool, hotel, and mobile home inspections (225-4460); lead paint poisoning preventions programs, information about lead paint hazards, and inspections for the presence of lead paint in homes (225-5553); and vending machines, mobile home park, motel, and mobile food service inspections (225-5915).

Provides consumer education and assists with bank, savings, and loan complaints. The complaint email can be found on the website.

For purchases of new cars on trucks who may have the Lemon Law in 1987 (this does not apply to used cars or trucks).

Provides investigation of all types of consumer scams. Will attempt dispute resolution, including mediation with the parties (consumer and business), including debt collection abuses, home repair companies auto sales and car repairs, store pricing, appliance warranty issues, and other complaints related to specific business interactions with consumers. The agency can/will refer a complaint or a violation to the county prosecutor, Ohio attorney general, Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or other appropriate agencies with jurisdiction over the complaint. May also enforce violations through civil actions.

Accepts and, where possible, attempts to resolve complaints regarding the licensing, high pressure sales tactics, excessive fees, unethical or improper conduct of personnel or other inappropriate business practices of organizations that sell and maintain burial plots and other cemetery property. Neither the Division nor the Commission has authority to award monetary damages or make burial right determinations. Any such action must be initiated in a court of law.

Has jurisdiction over 15,000 consumer products and accepts complaints regarding the safety of these products. Does not handle complaints about cars, food, drugs, medicine, medical devices and other medical products, child car seats, cosmetics, firearms, and business practices. Alerts the public to product hazards and product recalls (including those relating to lead) and provides safety information. Offers printed safety information on a variety of consumer products and issues.

Provides inspection and code enforcement of: plumbing, water, and sewer service; sewage; schools; water wells; camps; recreational areas; swimming pools; groceries; food services; trailer parks; and solid waste disposal. Also provides planning for land use with soil surveys and layouts; rabies control; and nuisance abatement.

Provides recreational boating safety tips, investigates consumer complaints about boats, issues product safety recalls, and maintains a database of boats that have been recalled. This agency regulates recreational watercraft. Boating recalls are NOT covered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Accepts complaints on telemarketing issues such as: junk faxes, Do-Not-Call violations, pre-recorded telephone messages, automatic telephone dialing systems, and unsolicited commercial e-mail messages to cell phones, pagers, and other wireless telecommunications devices. Under certain circumstances, the agency may pursue legal action on these cases. Also accepts general complaints from consumers on certain aspects of long distance telephone billing disputes including: land line, wireless, and internet service. Under certain circumstances, agency may provide mediation between consumer and service provider, but will not pursue legal action. Otherwise, will direct caller to the proper agency.

Consumers can contact the OCC, file complaints about national banks, and get answers to frequently asked banking questions at the OCC's consumer site, HelpWithMyBank.gov. or by calling Customer Assistance Group at 800-613-6743.

Accepts complaints concerning on-site and in home child care providers as well as preschool programs. In many cases, will help the client determine which agency licences/accredits the provider and then guide them through the complaints process for that particular agency.