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“Education and awareness can go a long way in helping consumers avoid problems and make the most of their purchases,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We’re encouraging people to take advantage of the sales tax holiday and to remember their rights as consumers.”
Dewine said Ohio shoppers can protect their money through precautionary steps including:
• Check the exclusions and limitations of an offer. Review terms and conditions carefully before you go to the store or make a purchase.
• Understand return policies before you buy. In Ohio, sellers can choose to set their own return policies, including policies of "no returns," but they should clearly tell you what their return policy is before you check out or complete the transaction.
• Find out if rain checks apply. If a seller advertises a product at a certain price but sells out of that product by the time you respond to the ad, you may have the right to a rain check.
• Keep your receipts. Maintaining a complete record of a sale will help you handle problems that may arise after the purchase.
• Monitor your accounts. Regularly check your credit card and bank accounts for unauthorized charges or unexpected activity.
• Watch for scams. If you receive a message saying you've won the lottery, the IRS is coming to arrest you, or a family member is out of the country and in need of money immediately, it is probably a scam.
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