| The main consumer protection
law in Ohio is the Consumer Sales Practices Act. Ohio consumers
have a right to be treated fairly by businesses. Businesses
are not allowed to deceive customers. When consumers' rights
have been violated, they may be able to rescind, or undo,
the deal, and get their money back. If the business engaged
in unfair or deceptive acts that have already been ruled to
be illegal, the consumer may receive three times their damages.
If the business knew what it was doing, but acted unfairly
or deceptively anyway, a court may order the business to pay
the consumer's attorney fees. If you were subjected to unfair
or deceptive acts, you may be entitled to $200 from the business,
even if you have no damages, just to compensate you for your
trouble, and to encourage businesses to follow the law. These
consumer-friendly parts of the law help to prevent unfair
business practices, and to encourage consumers to enforce
their rights, even if there was not a significant loss.
In addition to filing a lawsuit, you can
also file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General. The
Ohio Attorney General's web site for Consumer Protection is:
http://www2.ag.state.oh.us/sections/consumer/ccapsplus/welcome.asp
There are other laws designed to protect
people from particular wrongful business practices.
Here are a few:
Lemon
Law
Telemarketing
Illegal
Faxes
Truth in
Lending Act
Unfair
Debt Collection (FDCPA)

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