By Samantha Paul An Ohio homeowner pays for a roof repair that is never completed. A car buyer discovers that a dealer’s written promises do not match the vehicle delivered. In either case, the dispute may begin with one business but raise questions under Ohio’s consumer protection laws. The Attorney General’s Office offers a free, informal process that can help the parties discuss a resolution without immediately going to court.
The key is knowing which complaint channel to use and what to expect. This guide covers Ohio’s current attorney general, verified office contacts, the official consumer complaint portal, and the difference between an attempt at mediation and an enforcement investigation.
Who Is the Current Attorney General of Ohio?
As of October 15, 2026, Dave Yost is Ohio’s Attorney General. He became Ohio’s 51st attorney general on January 14, 2019, after previously serving as state auditor and Delaware County prosecutor. His office is Ohio’s chief legal office and represents the state in a wide range of civil and criminal matters.
The Consumer Protection Section enforces the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and other laws against unfair or deceptive sales practices. It investigates patterns of misconduct and offers informal dispute resolution for eligible transactions. The office does not represent an individual customer in a private lawsuit, and filing a complaint should not be mistaken for hiring a lawyer.
Ohio Attorney General Contact Numbers
- Consumer Protection and Help Center: 800-282-0515 — file a complaint by phone, report suspected scams, or ask about an existing case. The Help Center publishes weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Columbus main office: 614-466-4986 — the number listed for the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower location.
- Consumer complaint assistance: 800-282-0515 — callers without email can ask for help submitting a complaint rather than using the online form.
- Unwanted calls and robocalls: start with the separate Unwanted Call Notification option on the Attorney General’s complaint page.
- Charitable organizations and bingo matters: use the Charitable Law complaint channel rather than treating them as ordinary retail disputes.
Official complaint directory: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/SpecialPages/File-Complaints
Ohio Attorney General Office Address
- Columbus office: Ohio Attorney General’s Office, James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
- Mailing a consumer complaint: Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-3400, as printed on the office’s consumer complaint form.
A complaint can be made without traveling to Columbus. The Attorney General accepts reports online and over the phone; people who prefer paper can request a printed consumer complaint form through the Help Center. Use the specific consumer address when mailing that form.
How to File a Complaint With the Ohio Attorney General
Step 1: Open the official consumer complaint form
Go to https://filecomplaint.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/ or use the consumer transaction option in the Attorney General’s complaint directory. This form concerns purchases or advertising for goods or services. The page also offers a status-check option for consumers who have already submitted a report.
Step 2: Identify the business and the disputed transaction
Enter the business name, address, telephone number, or website, and select an existing business record if the system finds it. Be precise about who received payment or made the advertising claim. For vehicle disputes, prepare the model, purchase or lease details, and other requested vehicle information.
Step 3: Gather the paperwork before describing the problem
Collect invoices, receipts, written estimates, contracts, warranties, advertisements, emails, and notes from conversations. Record the purchase date, amounts paid, any missed deadline, and the remedy you requested from the seller. Explain what the business promised, what was delivered, and whether it answered your attempts to resolve the issue.
Step 4: Read the public-records notice and protect sensitive data
Ohio’s form warns that submitted information can become a public record and that the complaint and supporting documents may be sent to the business. Avoid including Social Security numbers, full card details, or irrelevant personal information. The system allows anonymous reports, but it warns that anonymity prevents staff from contacting the business to seek a resolution for the filer.
Step 5: Submit and retain the complaint tracking number
After submission, the portal indicates that an email confirmation should normally arrive within 24 business hours and provides a tracking number. Keep it, along with copies of attachments. The complaint-status page uses the email supplied with the original complaint and a tracking number or complaint ID to verify access.
What Happens After You File a Complaint?
Consumer specialists may contact the supplier and request an explanation or proposed solution. The process is informal and voluntary: the business might offer a refund, repair, revised charge, or another remedy, but no outcome is guaranteed. Complaints also help investigators spot businesses repeatedly accused of misleading customers.
The Attorney General can take enforcement action in matters involving wider consumer-protection concerns, but such litigation is brought for the public interest, not as private counsel for each complainant. Consumers facing an urgent court deadline should consider their independent legal options rather than waiting for the complaint process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can a small business file a consumer complaint in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio accepts complaints from small businesses and nonprofits when they have been the purchasers or prospective purchasers of goods or services and believe the supplier acted unfairly. A dispute about a customer failing to pay your business for work you performed is different and generally belongs in private legal channels.
Q. Is an anonymous complaint enough to help me recover money?
An anonymous report can provide a tip, but Ohio’s online portal specifically cautions that staff cannot contact the business to seek a personal resolution if the consumer provides no identifying information. If restitution or a response matters, weigh that limitation before selecting anonymous filing.
Q. Can I add documents after the original submission?
The official complaint-status portal offers an option to upload additional documents and ask questions while the case remains open. It requires verification using the email address supplied at filing. For a closed complaint or access problems, contact 800-282-0515 with the tracking number.
Q. Should I use this form for an insurance dispute or charity complaint?
Not necessarily. Ohio’s complaint directory provides a separate Charitable Law channel, and insurance disputes may be more appropriately handled by the Ohio Department of Insurance. Choosing the agency with direct regulatory authority can prevent delays and unnecessary duplicate filings.