COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When the Ohio Do No Call law takes effect today, Ohioans will have additional protections from telemarketers, says state Attorney General Jim Petro. The new Ohio law enhances the protections offered by the existing federal regulations.The Ohio law offers the following:Allows the Attorney General to investigate alleged violations of Do Not Call laws and regulationsAuthorizes the Attorney General to file lawsuits for Do Not Call violations in state court on behalf of Ohio residentsAllows the Attorney General to recover damages for consumers and civil penaltiesCreates the Telephone Solicitation Protection Fund in the state treasury, where civil penalties would be deposited to reimburse the state for the costs associated with investigating and enforcing Ohio's Do Not Call lawPetro's Consumer Protection Section has created a Do Not Call complaint form and will begin to take consumer complaints for violations today. Previously, consumers were directed to file their Do Not Call related complaints with the Federal Trade Commission. Consumers can now file their complaints with Petro's office and the Federal Trade Commission. The information that consumers provide in their complaints will be used to target violators for possible enforcement actions.Starting Monday, complaints can be filed online (www.ag.state.oh.us) or by calling Petro's Office at (800) 282-0515. Do Not Call complaints should also be filed with the FTC (www.donotcall.gov)."