COLUMBUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — In recognition of Consumer Protection Week, which begins today, March 2, and runs through March 8, 2025, the Ohio Department of Commerce is launching a comprehensive campaign to empower and educate Ohioans with the information they need to protect their personal information, safeguard their financial assets, and enhance their overall security.

Every year, new and sophisticated scams threaten vulnerable communities. Consumer Protection Week 2025 focuses on equipping individuals with the knowledge they need to identify and counter these threats. Highlights include raising awareness of critical scams and offering actionable tips to guard against potential dangers.

“Scams evolve every year, and Consumer Protection Week plays a crucial role in helping individuals stay one step ahead,” said Sherry Maxfield, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. “Our agency is committed to providing resources that protect consumers and educate them on their rights.”

Online Resource and Downloads

Commerce is taking a multi-channel approach to shine a spotlight on the latest scams targeting Ohioans and raise awareness of other issues affecting consumers. This includes making a wide range of online resources available via its virtual Consumer Protection Guide available at com.ohio.gov/CommerceProtects.

In addition to this online resource that consumers can use as their “guide on the side,” Commerce will share tips throughout the week on its various social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, on its “Protecting What Matters” podcast, and through participation at several in-person educational events.

Commerce also developed a series of downloads, including a flyer that contains various contact information for consumers to use if they believe they are the victim of a scam. In addition, children can download, print, and color a special Bitcoin-related coloring page to spark conversation about digital investments amongst other interactive features.

A Spotlight on AI-Powered Fraud and Romance Scams Targeting Young and Old Alike

One focus of this year’s Consumer Protection Week is the growing trend of artificial intelligence-powered scams, such as those that utilize chatbots, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and phishing schemes. As a result of significant advances in this space, scams leveraging the power of AI can be extremely convincing, making it vital for consumers to be aware of its potential use against their financial assets.

The campaign also highlights the growing trend of romance scams, which can impact individuals of all ages. These scams often occur on digital platforms like dating apps and social media where fraudsters take advantage of an individual’s search for companionship in an attempt to steal their personal information and finances. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reported losses related to romance scams totaled $823 million in 2024. Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 17,800 complaints related to online romance fraud in 2023, with reported losses exceeding $652 million. In Ohio, since Jan. 1, 2023, the Division has been involved in eight cases involving an alleged romance-related solicitation.

In addition to older Ohioans being impacted, the campaign calls attention to a growing issue involving youth who are being targeted by a practice known as sextortion. This involves a scammer, often an adult posing as a youth, who threatens to release explicit images of the other individual if they don’t send money. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, through just the first 10 months of 2024, it received more than 456,000 reports of online enticement, which is the category that includes sextortion. Between 2021 and 2023, the number of online enticement reports increased by more than 300%. In 2021, the FBI revealed that sextortion resulted in losses exceeding $8 million. To stay safe, it is vital that youth only communicate with individuals they know, and they never share private information or sensitive photos with a stranger. Signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on Jan. 8, 2025, HB 531, or Braden’s Law, takes effect April 9 and makes sextortion a felony in Ohio.

Avoiding Scams: Red Flags to Look For

Understanding common scam tactics is critical to prevention. Victims are often targeted through trusted methods that include:

  • Demands for payment via gift cards, prepaid money cards, peer-to-peer payment platforms, or cryptocurrency, all designed for anonymity with little chance of recovery.
  • Requests for personal and sensitive information under false pretenses.
  • High-pressure tactics urging immediate action.
  • Guarantees of financial returns with no risk, or large down payment requests for work or investments.
  • Soliciting secrecy to prevent victims from sharing details with trusted individuals.