Ohio attorney general warns sales consultants, at-home sellers to beware of possible scams

12/21/2013

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s attorney general warns independent sales consultants and at-home sellers to be beware of scam artists posing as hearing-impaired customers in counterfeit check schemes.

Attorney General Mike DeWine says scam artists send emails to sales consultants to place an order. DeWine says the fake customer often claims to be hearing impaired and unable to use a credit card. The customer then places an order and sends a check for more than the order cost.

Scammers ask for the difference to be returned before the check has cleared. The check later turns out to be counterfeit.

The attorney general’s office has received seven recent reports of scams targeting consultants in Clermont, Delaware, Franklin, Gallia, Lorain, Lucas, and Union counties. Consultants reporting those scams sell baskets, cosmetics, or candle products.