New consumer protections have been implemented in Ohio to prevent the unauthorized use of signatures, according to Attorney General Dave Yost. The new rule, added to the Ohio Administrative Code, aims to enhance consent and transparency for businesses that collect signatures for non-transactional purposes.
Attorney General Yost emphasized the importance of individual control over one’s signature: “A signature is a symbol of your identity, and you alone should decide how it’s used.” He noted that the law has been strengthened to protect against unauthorized use.
The rule prohibits businesses from using a person’s signature in communications such as letters or emails without obtaining explicit consent. This applies to both handwritten and electronic signatures. Businesses are also required to inform consumers about how their signatures will be used, including details about the message content, its author, recipients, and instances of use.
Any violations of this rule are classified as deceptive acts under Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, potentially leading to legal action by the Attorney General’s Office.
The initiative was proposed after reports surfaced of Ohioans’ signatures being used without permission. Recognizing this issue as a gap in state law, Yost moved to fortify protections against deceptive practices related to signature usage. The proposal received support from nearly 300 individuals during a public comment period.
For further information, media inquiries can be directed to Dominic Binkley at 614-728-4127.
