Ohio Attorney General
Quick Contact
Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-282-0515
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM ET
Website: ohioattorneygeneral.gov
File Complaint Online: Consumer Complaint Portal
Office Contact Information
Main Office - Columbus
Address:
Office of the Ohio Attorney General
30 E. Broad Street, 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Consumer Protection Hotline:
1-800-282-0515 (toll-free)
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Online Resources
Website:
ohioattorneygeneral.gov
File a Complaint:
Online Complaint Portal
Consumer Resources:
Consumer Protection Division
Alternative Contact Methods
General Inquiry Form:
Online Inquiry Form
Consumer Advocate Newsletter:
Sign up for consumer alerts and scam warnings on the website
How to File a Consumer Complaint in Ohio
Online Filing (Recommended)
- Visit Ohio AG Consumer Complaint Portal
- Create an account or log in if you have one
- Select the type of complaint (consumer fraud, business practices, etc.)
- Provide detailed information about your complaint including dates, amounts, and parties involved
- Upload supporting documents (receipts, contracts, emails, advertisements)
- Submit and save your confirmation number for tracking
Response time: The Consumer Protection Section typically reviews complaints within 30-60 days. Complex investigations may take longer.
By Phone
Call the Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-282-0515
Extended Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Staff can assist with:
- Filing consumer complaints
- Identity theft assistance
- Vehicle title problems
- Home improvement scam inquiries
- Consumer rights information
- Complaint status updates
By Mail
Download and complete a consumer complaint form or write a detailed letter.
Mail to:
Office of the Ohio Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
30 E. Broad Street, 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Include: Copies (not originals) of all supporting documents such as receipts, contracts, correspondence, and advertisements.
By Fax
Fax Number: 866-268-2279
You can fax your completed complaint form and supporting documents to the Consumer Protection Office.
Ohio Consumer Protection Priorities
Home Improvement Fraud
Ohio AG actively pursues deceitful home improvement contractors who rip off consumers. In March 2024 alone, AG Yost filed six consumer protection lawsuits in five counties targeting home improvement fraud.
Robocall Enforcement
The Robocall Enforcement Unit collected more than 8,263 reports of unwanted calls in 2024, actively pursuing fraudulent call and text operations.
Consumer Sales Practices Violations
Ohio enforces the Consumer Sales Practices Act against unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable business practices, including illegal vape sales and unsubstantiated advertising claims.
Identity Theft & Vehicle Titles
The AG's office provides specialized assistance for identity theft victims and consumers having problems obtaining vehicle titles.
Recent Ohio AG Consumer Actions
2024 Enforcement Highlights
- 24,434 Consumers Assisted in 2024: Staff helped Ohioans with identity theft, home improvement scams, vehicle title problems, and many other issues
- 140 Cases Opened: Civil Investigative Unit opened 140 new cases in 2024
- 33 Lawsuits Filed: Civil Legal Unit filed 33 lawsuits during 2024
- 8,263+ Robocall Reports: Robocall Enforcement Unit collected reports of unwanted calls to combat fraudulent operations
- Home Improvement Contractor Lawsuits (March 2024): Filed six consumer protection lawsuits in five counties against businesses accused of ripping off Ohioans seeking home improvements
- Central Tobacco Lawsuit (July 2024): Filed lawsuit for violations including unfair/deceptive acts, unconscionable practices, and unsubstantiated claims in advertising illegal vape sales
- Failure to Deliver Cases (July 2025): Took legal action in three cases involving failure to deliver purchased goods or services
Ohio-Specific Consumer Laws
- Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA): Prohibits unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable acts in consumer transactions
- Ohio Lemon Law: Protection for purchasers of defective new vehicles
- Home Solicitation Sales Act: 3-day cooling-off period for door-to-door sales
- Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act: Regulates auto financing and requires disclosure
- Telephone Solicitation Act: Restrictions on telemarketing and robocalls
- Credit Services Organization Act: Regulation of credit repair companies
- Debt Collection Act: Rules governing debt collector practices in Ohio
- Personal Information Security Breach Notification: Requires businesses to notify consumers of data breaches
What Ohio AG Can Help With
Consumer Fraud & Scams
- Deceptive advertising
- False representations
- Identity theft assistance
- Internet and phone scams
- Investment fraud
Business Practices
- Unfair business practices
- Unconscionable acts
- Contract violations
- Warranty issues
- Failure to deliver goods/services
Specific Industries
- Home improvement contractors
- Auto dealers and Lemon Law
- Vehicle title problems
- Illegal vape sales
- Telemarketing/robocalls
Consumer Support Services
- Identity theft recovery
- Vehicle title assistance
- Debt collection complaints
- Credit services issues
- Scam reporting
What Ohio AG Does NOT Handle
The Ohio Attorney General's Office cannot help with:
- Private disputes between individuals
- Cases currently in court or pending litigation
- Employment or workplace disputes
- Federal agency matters (IRS, Social Security, Medicare, etc.)
- Landlord-tenant disputes (contact local housing court)
- Banking or securities regulation (contact Ohio Division of Financial Institutions or Securities)
- Insurance complaints (contact Ohio Department of Insurance)
- Utility complaints (contact Public Utilities Commission of Ohio)
- Professional malpractice claims
Note: For matters outside the AG's jurisdiction, consult a private attorney or contact the appropriate state agency.
Common Complaint Types in Ohio
Frequently Reported Issues (2024)
- Home improvement and contractor fraud
- Identity theft
- Vehicle title problems
- Auto sales and repair issues
- Telemarketing and robocalls
- Internet purchase and delivery problems
- Debt collection harassment
- Illegal product sales (vapes, etc.)
- Failure to deliver goods or services
- Deceptive advertising
Additional Ohio AG Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to process a complaint?
The Consumer Protection Section typically reviews complaints within 30-60 days. Complex investigations requiring legal action may take longer. You can check your complaint status through the online portal or by calling 1-800-282-0515.
Will the Attorney General represent me in court?
No. The Attorney General's Office cannot provide individual legal representation or act as your private attorney. The office investigates patterns of unlawful conduct affecting multiple consumers and takes enforcement action against businesses violating Ohio law.
What are the extended office hours for?
Ohio AG's Consumer Protection Hotline is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Eastern Time - longer than most state AG offices. This extended availability helps working Ohioans file complaints and get assistance outside standard business hours.
How can I report robocalls?
Report robocalls through the consumer complaint portal or by calling 1-800-282-0515. The Robocall Enforcement Unit uses these reports to identify and pursue fraudulent operations. In 2024, the unit received over 8,263 reports of unwanted calls.