Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Consumer Fraud Actions Rise By Millions In Ohio
A federal consumer protection agency stated that bank and credit card complaints increased by the millions in Ohio this past year. Fraudsters managed to bilk Ohio residents of up to $150 million in fraudulent transactions according to new data published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Ohio consumers reported losing 50% more money in… Read More »
Ohio Couples Files Breach Of Contract Lawsuit Against Allstate After Their House Burns Down
The Ohio State Fire Marshal has recently weighed in on a house fire that occurred in August of 2021. The report was inconclusive. The Fire Marshal was unable to rule out accidental or intentional causes of the fire due to electrical appliances in the area of origin. The investigation could not rule out a… Read More »
Short Sale As A Solution To Avoid Foreclosure
Today, numerous consumers are facing foreclosure of their primary homes. In many cases, there is no way that they can keep their home. In these cases, it may be best to avoid foreclosure because of what it can do to your credit rating. One way to accomplish this is through a short sale. A… Read More »
What Can A Debt Collector NOT Do When Attempting To Recover A Debt?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers from certain tactics used by debt collectors to collect a debt. If you are receiving harassing phone calls from debt collectors, you may be interested in knowing what your rights are. In some cases, you can actually file suit against the debt collectors who engage… Read More »
Background Report Providers Found Violating The FCRA
A new settlement linked to a lawsuit brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) highlights consumers’ rights with respect to clicking on advertising keywords associated with products, as even the use of these keywords is covered under the consumer law. Specifically, as a result of the settlement, several businesses, including Checkmate and TruthFinder,… Read More »
Food & Beverage False Advertising Claims On The Rise
Consumers are increasingly suing businesses for consumer protection violations in connection with products that imply certain ingredients that they do not contain; fed up with businesses increasingly misrepresenting these products; promising ingredients that aren’t there and/or displaying promotion images that do not match the product. One such example includes Starbucks’ “Mango Dragon Fruit Refresher… Read More »
CFPB Finds Tuition Payment Plans Violate Consumer Laws
A recent report released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) found that college tuition payment plans can place student borrowers at risk; that some payment plans are so confusing, and carry such expensive fees, that they lead students further into debt. The report also found that a number of institutions choose to withhold… Read More »
What Is Loss Mitigation? Options To Avoid Foreclosure
Certain loss mitigation options can help you keep your home, such as Loan Modification and Forbearance. Sometimes also referred to as “retention,“ Loss Mitigation describes the process of lenders assisting borrowers who are struggling to make monthly mortgage payments by providing them with repayment or relief options in order to avoid foreclosure. As a… Read More »
Appliance Supply Businesses Targeted in Consumer Fraud Case
Three Cincinnati-area appliance supply businesses and their owners are accused of accepting $4,900 in payments from consumers but failing to provide any appliances or services. Additionally, the businesses failed to register with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office which is required by Ohio law. The lawsuit, filed by the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost,… Read More »
Attorney General Files Suit Against Used Car Dealership Accused of Rolling Back Odometers
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against a fourth Columbus, Ohio used car dealership accused of rolling back odometers and selling salvaged vehicles without telling customers. The latest lawsuit was filed against Ohio Mega Group, LLC in Whitehall, Ohio. The attorney general’s office reported that it had received seventeen (17) complaints… Read More »