On Monday, November 2, 2009, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs Director Cynthia Sich launched Financial Wellness Week in Summit County. The kick-off was held in Council Chambers of the Ohio Building, located at 175 S. Main Street in downtown Akron.
Financial Wellness Week activities will include a series of FREE educational classes on the topics of: car buying, credit scores, foreclosure prevention, home ownership, identity theft, predatory lending, refinancing, reverse mortgages, senior scams and more.
Financial wellness related seminars are scheduled to be held in the communities of Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Norton and Twinsburg. The week long series of events concluded on Friday, Nov. 6.
According to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, with 1,017 complaints filed in 2009, the County of Summit ranks fourth in counties with the most consumer complaints: following Franklin, Cuyahoga and Hamilton.
"Citizens need to guard their financial resources now more than ever," stated Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. "These events will provide citizens with the opportunity to discuss their financial concerns with trusted financial professionals throughout the community."
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Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray
Launch Financial Wellness Week, Open AG's Akron Office
For a Summit County Financial Wellness Week calendar of events, visit www.co.summit.oh.us/conaffairs.htm. Citizens without access to the Internet are being asked to dial 330-643-2879.
Financial Wellness Week is being facilitated by the County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs; a government unit that serves to educate and protect the citizens of Summit County and those visitors to the area, from unfair, deceptive or unconscionable consumer sales practices.
"To enforce consumer protection laws my office remains in steady communication with the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the lead law enforcement agency for the State of Ohio that serves to protect Ohio families from predatory financial practices," stated Cynthia Sich, director of the County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs.
Year round, the County of Summit and the Ohio Attorney General's Office partner on initiatives designed to investigate criminal activity, prevent area foreclosures, educate citizens on consumer rights and communicate area consumer fraud alerts.
To allow for continued cooperation between the two government entities, County Executive Russell M. Pry has leased 77 square-feet of office space to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray; for the low price of $1 per year. The workplace is located in the County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs, located on the 2nd floor of the Ohio Building.
"The purpose of this partnership is to foster continued collaboration between the County of Summit and the Ohio Attorney General's Office, save tax dollars and take the additional steps needed to further protect citizens from consumer fraud," added Pry.
"Our government offices share a common goal, to protect our most vulnerable citizens from consumer fraud," stated Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. "This location will allow my office to establish a physical presence in downtown Akron, as well as better serve area citizens and businesses in need."
To contact Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray's Office dial 1-800-282-0515, or visit http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/.
Akron, Ohio —
