“Businesses with fewer than 20 employees create half of the jobs in the state. We know they are often targeted by scammers, but before today they did not have recourse through our office against this epidemic of predatory practices,” Cordray said at a Tuesday press conference.
Kip Morse, president of the Better Business Bureau serving central Ohio, and Roger Geiger, Ohio executive director and vice president of the National Federation of Independent Business, made the announcement with Cordray.
The program provides the leverage necessary to initiate legal action when warranted, ensuring a fairer marketplace, Morse said.
The AG’s office began testing the program last year with trade organizations and chambers of commerce; more than 500 complaints from small businesses and non-profit groups have resulted.
More than $60,000 has been recovered or saved on behalf of those who filed complaints.
The AG’s Consumer Protection section has authority to pursue legal action against companies that do not follow the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Cordray said.
Any small business owners or employees who believe they have experienced unfair practices or any illegal conduct — such as scams, deceptive advertising, billing disputes, unauthorized charges or worker misclassification — should contact his office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/Business or call 800-282-0515.
For additional information about the program, log on to OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/BusinessComplaintsFactsheet
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.
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