Ohioans lose nearly $2M in sweepstakes scams
CINCINNATI (AP) — The state attorney general says sweepstakes scams cost Ohioans about $2 million last year as gauged by complaints to his office’s consumer protection section.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said in a release today that the section logged about 1,500 complaints about sweepstakes and prizes schemes. He says his office is seeking stronger tools to go after people and companies conducting those types of scams and others. The office also is working with law enforcement to increase prosecutions.
DeWine says sweepstakes or prizes made up the eighth most-common source of consumer complaints on a 2011 top-10 list.
The No. 1 complaint category was motorized vehicles, followed by collections, credit reporting or financial services in second place. Internet or phone complaints ranked third.