DeWine
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Thursday against a home security company that allegedly misrepresented the cost of system installation and monthly monitoring, as well as the duration of monitoring contracts.
The Utah-based Platinum Protection sells security hardware, system servicing and remote monitoring through a website and door-to-door sales, primarily in the spring and summer.
Consumers were allegedly told by Platinum representatives that installation and activation fees were waived, contract cancellations could be made within 30 days of signing a contract and monthly bills would be invoiced, not debited from checking and credit card accounts.
Installation and activation fees, however, were allegedly charged, and consumers were also allegedly charged higher monthly monitoring fees than they had been told. Additionally, charges were debited from checking and credit card accounts, cancellations were not honored and installations were made the same day as contracts were signed, it is alleged.
Consumer complaints filed with DeWine's office allege losses of between $40 and $2,200.
"This company claimed to be providing homeowners with a sense of security, but left many consumers with quite the opposite feeling," DeWine said. "This lawsuit is the latest reminder that Ohio is not the place to deceive consumers."
DeWine's lawsuit seeks reimbursement for all consumers damaged by Platinum's actions and the termination of all contracts entered into with consumer through unfair or deceptive means, among other provisions.