The agency represents residential consumers of investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone and water utility companies before state and federal agencies, the Ohio legislature and the courts. Educates consumers and provides information about utility services, consumer protections and resources.

Provides consumer advice, consumer education, speakers, assistance with disputes with stores or other businesses.

Provides group tours for teachers, students, bankers, business/professional associations, and community organizations. Also has a speaker's bureau available to talk to adult groups of 20 or more.

Provides sessions for food stamp recipients and low income individuals/families on acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior change necessary to maximize food dollars and achieve nutritionally sound diets.

Provides speakers for interested groups on issues related to natural gas, electric, telephone, and water utility services. Topics may include an overview of Ohio Consumers' Counsel and its services, consumer protection, energy efficiency, weatherization and telephone issues. Representatives also provide information at shows and fairs.

Offers workshop for employers, churches and community organizations to educate about many poisons unknowingly consumed every day.

Provides information about utility consumer assistance programs, energy efficiency, energy choice and aggregation, and answers general questions about investor-owned residential utility service.

Provides information and advice in order to prevent potential scams, fraud or financial abuse. Also helps older adults with budgeting, credit card and other debt, and planning for the future. Does not offer legal advice.

Provides financial education to agencies, organizations, individuals, and families. Offers programs in basic budgeting; credit and debt management; consumer issues and general money management. Call for more information. Neighborhood Lifelines: Foreclosure Prevention presentations are available to existing organizations/churches/neighborhood groups to provide basic information to help them help reach out to others in the community.

This program helps consumers with utility and miscellaneous referrals to connect with community programs to receive payment assistance.

Provides financial education to agencies, organizations, individuals, and families. Offers programs in basic budgeting; credit and debt management; consumer issues; homebuyer education and counseling; and general money management.

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.

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.

Provides consumer education on a variety of market place topics such as, but not limited to, identity theft, common scheme and scams, BBB services and scams against senior.

Regulates providers of all kinds of utility services, including electric and natural gas companies, local and long distance telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, rail and trucking companies. Provides an automated system available for consumers.

Provides information on federal agencies, programs, benefits, and services as well as consumer information. Covers topics such as government grant funding, federal jobs, passports and visas, Social security, birth certificates, Medicare and Medicaid, taxes, veterans benefits, identity theft, employment issues, places to authenticate documents, federal, state, local, and tribal governments resources, health, education and nutrition.

Provides enrollee information on buying, investing, and wealth building. Also covers financing a major purchase, credit/budgeting, wills, trusts, and estates.

Utilizes a wide variety of informational materials and techniques to increase the public's awareness of their rights and responsibilities as consumers of goods and services.

Provides free resources to active military personnel in the areas of financial literacy and consumer protection. The five (5) main components of the program are: - Education: Many Local BBBs on and around military installations teach financial readiness classes to service members. - Outreach: BBB staff attend and support community fairs, conferences and other events, speaking with service members and distributing information. - Information: BBB website provides a one-stop shop for articles, links and consumer alerts for each branch of service. The website, Facebook page and X/Twitter have a resources page with consumer guides written for military members. Provides the free app, "Military & Money", which features educational resources and tools to help users make informed decisions about money. - Data Collection: Analyzes BBB data to help identify the threats and needs of the military community in the marketplace. - Complaint and Dispute Resolution: Filing a complaint with BBB helps military consumers resolve disputes and alert the BBB to issues affecting the military community at large.

Offers money management education in group settings. Classes include: basic money management, credit, savings, planning for the future. Locations vary. Call for more information.

Offers programs to increase the public's awareness of their rights and responsibilities as consumers of goods and services.

BBB maintains Business Profiles for businesses and nonprofit across North America. BBB takes complaints and customer reviews for BBB Accredited Businesses and non-Accredited Businesses. Complaints deal with consumer issues regarding products or services and customer reviews pertain to an interaction or transaction with organizations. BBB asks all businesses to respond to complaints and reviews, and to address any issue(s) stated.

Provides information, answers questions, and investigates complaints regarding different types of insurance including homeowner's, health, managed care, life, Medicare supplement plans, annuity contracts, and automobile, as well as insurance agents. Offers educational materials that provide information about different types of insurance (auto, health, homeowners, etc.).

Provides information and referral services to people with Cystic Fibrosis and their families by connecting them with programs that help pay for the cost of treatments, co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, and other living expenses. Helps clients compare available insurance plans so that they can make an informed decision when choosing a plan that maximizes coverage and reimbursement. Helps clients investigate adverse network, drug, and therapy coverage decisions, and provides guidance on appeals process. Helps connect clients with legal experts to navigate the Social Security application process and apply for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Direct assistance with unemployment applications is not provided. Callers will receive assistance with general unemployment questions and will be referred to employment and work accommodations experts and the callers' local unemployment office.

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.