Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Contractor Disputes & Mechanic’s Liens in Ohio
In late June, one Ohio court ordered a home improvement contractor – Neil Wolfe and his company, Neil Construction – who violated Ohio’s consumer protection laws over 70 times to pay more than $625,000 in restitution to 19 consumers that the contractor defrauded, as well as $1,775,000 in civil penalties, or $25,000 per violation…. Read More »
Mortgage Refinancing Mistakes to Avoid
As Columbus foreclosure defense attorneys, we assist a number of clients with mortgage refinancing each year, as this can help homeowners avoid foreclosure, in some circumstances. It is wise to work with a professional when it comes to the refinancing process so that you make sure that it is done correctly and you don’t… Read More »
Consumer Protection Litigation Over Misleading Climate Claims Is Exploding
A new report highlights growing trends in these consumer protection lawsuits focused on climate-related “greenwashing,” most of which were brought in 2021-2022. More and more consumer lawsuits against companies alleging “climate-washing” (or false claims) every day, and now it appears that complicit ad and PR firms could also be complicit. These claims center around… Read More »
Experian & Others Sued for Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Credit reporting companies like Experian have faced a number of inquiries – and lawsuits – involving consumer claims within the last few years. As of May, one class action lawsuit brought in federal court alleged that the company specifically failed to adequately investigate dispute letters over credit report inaccuracies in violation of the Fair… Read More »
Greenwashing Consumer Claims
Consumer claims related to “greenwashing,” whereby companies are deceptive in their advertising and product labels, and who choose to bring a class action lawsuit challenging these practices. These consumer claims are related to advertising and marketing claims made about the environmental attributes of a product, collection of products, or service – in advertising, labeling,… Read More »
How Foreclosure Defense Lawyers Can Help You Save Your Home
Although every case is unique, foreclosure defense attorneys can play a critical role in helping homeowners fight the threat of losing their homes. While it is always critical to consult a foreclosure defense attorney as your first step, below, we discuss some of the common means by which these attorneys can help when it… Read More »
The Increasing Use of Artificial Intelligence & Consumer Protection Concerns
There have been growing concerns over violations of consumer protection laws when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) systems, such as ChatGPT. AI is currently used in a variety of capacities that affect consumers, from helping to determine bank fees, to credit ratings, and more. It also affects housing, hiring, working conditions, and other… Read More »
Amazon Found Violating Young Consumer Rights
Many consumers likely do not realize that Amazon, as one of the world’s biggest retailers, collects information about consumers through the Alexa product, ranging from geolocation data, to voice recordings, and more. Thus, although the company advertises that its devices and services are “designed to protect your privacy,” in fact, the company has been… Read More »
Employee Handbooks & Remote Workers
One of the many services that we provide here at Kohl & Cook Law Firm LLC as General Counsel lawyers is to help craft employee handbooks, which are becoming more and more important as more and more workers are working remotely, due to our experience with the COVID pandemic. There is no question that… Read More »
Protecting Veteran Consumer Rights
Sadly, veterans in our country are the subject of consumer rights violations and fraud every year in part due to their potential eligibility to receive federal benefits related to their service. According to the Federal Trade Commission, this collective financial loss amounts to more than $265 million each year. Identity Theft One such scheme… Read More »