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Consumer Protection Laws & Rights
Consumer law consists of federal and Ohio laws that regulate various sales and debt practices. These laws specifically deal with deceptive and unfair tactics, unfair credit reporting, debt collection, false claims, harassment, illegal debt services, bankruptcy, fraud, unscrupulous loans, foreclosures, and other areas involving consumer transactions.
Your Consumer Rights
As a consumer, you have certain rights and protections. Generally, these rights cover defective goods or services and allow victims to pursue compensation for the related losses. However, they also protect against unfair practices and false advertising, commonly utilized to perpetrate various consumer scams and frauds.
As a consumer, you should understand your rights related to
- Advertising for the product or service in question
- Canceling the agreement to buy the product or service
- The refund or exchange policy
- Product warranties and service contracts
- Unsafe, defective, and recalled products
- Scams, frauds, and unscrupulous offers.
Federal Consumer Laws
As U.S. citizens, consumers are legally protected against malicious business practices. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) are the primary federal consumer protection laws to ensure creditors and collection agencies treat debtors fairly.
Federal Consumer Laws
- Anti-Spam Act
- Consumer Product Safety Act
- Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)
- Fair Credit Billing Act
- Federal Trade Commission Act
- Food and Drug Administration Act (labeling and disclosures)
- Junk Fax Act
- Magnuson Moss Warranty Act
- Truth in Leasing Act
- Truth in Lending Act
Ohio Consumer Laws
Ohio consumer legal protections, outlined by the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), further protect against the harm caused by unfair business practices.
Ohio consumer protections apply to
- Automobile Purchases
- Collections/Credit Reporting
- Household Services/Improvements
- Telecommunications/Robo Calls
- Illegitimate Professional Services
- Unlawful Loan Offers
- Shopping/Apparel/Accessories
- Health & Beauty Services
- Illegal Financial Services
- Residential Mortgages
- Computers & Internet
Ohio Consumer Protection Laws
- Anti-Pyramid Sales Act
- Business Opportunity Purchaser’s Protection Act
- Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act
- Condominium Sales Act
- Consumer Sales Practices Act
- Consumer Sales Practices Act-Substantive Rules
- Credit Card Recording Act
- Credit Card Truncation Act
- Credit Freeze Act
- Credit Services Organization Act
- Debt Adjusters Act
- Defective Assistive Devices Act
- Gift Card Act
- Homebuyer’s Protection Act (Predatory Lending Law)
- Home Solicitation Sales Act
- Lemon Law (Nonconforming New Motor Vehicle Law)
- Motor Vehicle Collision Repair Operators Act
- Odometer Rollback and Disclosures Act
- Public Utilities Commission Act
- Retail Installment Sales / Layaway Act
- Security Breach Notification Act
- Telemarketing Act
- Telephone Solicitation Sales Act
- Title Defect Rescission Act
- Title Insurance Act
Legal Options for Wronged Consumers
If you feel taken advantage of or deceived as a consumer, whether it involves an illegitimate consolidation loan, deceptive debt settlement, improper credit reporting, or other violation, it is important to know you have options.
Many commercial laws require a company found to be involved in unfair, deceptive, or predatory business practices to compensate the harmed individual for their damages plus attorney’s fees and costs. Most consumer protections allow for the recovery of actual damages (the actual financial loss) or statutory damages (a predetermined fine).
A consumer legal action or lawsuit may also result in the offending company being ordered by the court to stop their unfair or deceptive practices, preventing further harm.
If you’ve been the victim of a consumer law violation, you may be able to file a consumer lawsuit, negotiate for a favorable result, or otherwise pursue a solution with a consumer protection lawyer.
Not Just Any Consumer Law Attorney
A founding partner at LHA, Jeremiah E. Heck, is a leader in consumer law, known for fighting large, predatory corporations and providing sound debt guidance.
“I had a great experience and I highly recommend this firm. I worked with Jeremiah Heck and he treated my case with integrity, professionalism and was responsive to me and explained the terms of my case in a manner that was easy to understand.”
Marianne Simmons
Consumer Protection Claims & Litigation
Companies that operate fraudulently, make false claims, or offer unattainable results can inflict incredible financial harm. Consumers who suffer because of their deceitful practices should assert their right to be made financially whole and seek compensation for their damages.
A Consumer Rights Lawyer Can Help
Working with a consumer law attorney and pursuing legal actions that may include filing a claim or lawsuit can help hold these corporations accountable.
LHA can help you find solutions to
- Improper Credit Reporting
- Unfair Credit Practices
- Unauthorized Transactions
- Consumer Class Actions
- Debt Collection Harassment
- Unlawful Debt Settlement
- Debtor Defense
- Shady Consolidation Offers
- Predatory Lending & Creditor Misconduct
Unlike many other consumer law firms, our lawyers are licensed to practice in Ohio and offer sound debt advice. We can help you negotiate settlements, pursue claims for possible violations, and discuss genuine options for debt relief.
LHA offers multiple options and will not pressure you into a path that is not best for you.
LHA Helps Protect Ohio Consumers
With jurisdiction defined by the U.S. Federal Courts for the Northern & Sothern Districts of Ohio, LHA serves consumer law clients in all 88 Ohio counties.
- Columbus
- Cleveland
- Cincinnati
- Dayton
- Akron
- Canton
- Zanesville
- Marietta
- Mansfield
- Toledo
- Findlay
- Lima
- Youngstown
- New Philadelphia
- Cambridge
- Athens
- Lancaster
- Ashland
- Chillicothe
- Portsmouth
- Defiance
- Springfield
- Marion
- Sandusky
Contact LHA for a 100% free consultation with an Ohio consumer lawyer. We will review your case and help you understand your best steps forward.
Call LHA Today: 888-726-3181
Initial Consults are Free and No-Obligation.
Related Reading
Consumer Law FAQs
What If I’m the Victim of a Debt Scam?
Although debt settlement and consolidation companies should follow state and federal laws, they often do not. If you paid money to a debt relief company or entered a debt plan but saw no improvement, you should discuss a possible violation with an attorney. From there, you can determine your eligibility to file a consumer lawsuit
Is Debt Collection Harassment Illegal?
The FDCPA also protects people who are past due. According to the FDCPA, a collection company may not:
- Contact a consumer that the collector knows is represented by an attorney
- Threaten arrest or legal action that is not permitted or intended by the collector
- Communicate details about the debt with third parties other than your attorney and spouse
- Call outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
- Contact you at your place of employment if they have been told this is prohibited
- Fail to cease communication after having been advised in writing to cease all communications
- Seek amounts not allowable by law (in Ohio, this includes seeking attorney fees)
If you can prove that a collector violated the FDCPA, you are entitled to up to $1,000 in statutory damages, actual damages, possible punitive damages, and attorney fees.
Can I Sue for Errors on my Credit Report?
If the information on your credit history is not accurate, you should dispute it with the reporting agency. The agency must investigate and should remove mistakes within 30 days. If they fail to correct the issue, an attorney can help determine if your rights were violated under the FCRA. If they were, you may file a lawsuit and seek compensation.