Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is warning consumers that financial scams are on the rise in the state.
Last week, Cordray said his office fielded a record number of complaints in 2009 - 30,259, up 20% from a year earlier. The majority involved collection or foreclosure-rescue scams - including false promises to help reduce debt, credit card bills and taxes - but other common complaints included cybercrime and home improvement concerns.
Through complaint resolution and lawsuits, the state was able to obtain $7 million in consumer restitution, civil penalties, costs and other relief, Cordray's office reports.
Cordray recently staged Ohio’s first statewide summit on consumer protection, which drew more than 300 consumer advocates and activists.