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Gift Ideas Displaying items by tag: Consumer Affairs
Gift Ideas Displaying items by tag: Consumer Affairs
Displaying items by tag: Consumer Affairs
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and some consumers are banking on online dating as a way to hatch a serious relationship. Unfortunately, some fraud artists are also banking on online dating as a way to scam people out of their money.
Relationship scams, also known as sweetheart swindles, often follow this pattern:
You meet someone on a dating site and things get serious. You send messages, talk on the phone, trade pictures and maybe even make marriage plans. Soon you find out the person you met, who claimed to be an American professional, is going to Nigeria or another country for work. Once he or she is there, that person needs your help, asking you to wire money.
The first transfer may be small, but it’s followed by requests for more. You’re told your money is needed to cover costs for a sudden illness, surgery for a son or daughter, or for a plane ticket back to the United States. The promise is always to pay you back. You even might get documents or calls from lawyers as “proof.”
But as genuine as the relationship and requests for money might seem, they’re part of an elaborate scam. The money that was wired – and the person you thought you knew and loved – will be gone.
“These relationship scams are often a long, drawn-out process where the con artist nurtures a relationship, then convinces the victim to send money,” Commerce and Insurance’s Consumer Affairs Director Gary Cordell said. “These scammers have been known to steal the real names and photos of U.S. service personnel to set up a fake profile, and prey on the sympathy and patriotism of victims. They also have also been known to use religious singles sites, using religion as a ploy to gain trust before asking for money. Any time someone you’ve never met in person asks for money, it’s usually a warning sign that something isn’t right.”
“Always use caution and common sense when dealing with someone you haven’t met in person,” Cordell said. “Never wire money to someone you meet online, no matter how compelling their story or how strong their appeal to your emotions might be.”
Signs that you may be dealing with a scammer:
Proceed with caution with online dating. Even if you use only dating sites whose reputations are well-established, still keep your wits about you.
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/, @TNCommerceInsur (Twitter), http://on.fb.me/uFQwUZ (Facebook), http://bit.ly/ry1GyX (YouTube)
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Gift cards are handy presents – especially for people who seem to have at least one of everything. During the winter shopping season, a gift card can be ideal.
But for all the conveniences of gift cards, they often come with fine print that can make them less than perfect. Here’s how consumers can keep that gift card’s policies from dumping snow on their gift-giving this winter:
1. Check expiration dates and fees. In Tennessee, expiration dates, fees and other terms must be clearly disclosed at the time of purchase. The expiration date and fee must be legibly printed on the gift card.
2. Ask about restrictions. Some card issuers deduct a monthly fee from the card or apply inactivity fees, if a card has not been used for a period of time. These fees will reduce the value of the card. Some gift cards do not allow cash refunds for a remaining balance on a card. You will have to either forfeit the balance or buy additional items.
3. Know what it will cost. Major shopping mall operators charge fees for gift cards. Gift cards issued by banks and credit card companies often expire and tend to add fees. Fees – including activation fees, transaction fees, maintenance fees and inactivity fees – can lessen a card’s value.
4. Ask what to do if the card is stolen. Always keep a receipt. Since gift cards are not usually registered to an individual purchaser, they can be easily stolen. Some stores urge customers to access their website and register cards in case they are stolen.
5. Check on purchase exemptions. Ask if the card may be used at both a store’s physical location and the store’s website. Also ask if the card may be used at other locations, not just the specific store where the card was purchased.
6. Get as much information as possible for the card’s recipient. Ask for a toll-free phone number, in case there are problems with the gift card. Ask if a website that provides gift card details is available.
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.
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Gift Ideas
Whether your gift list is ready or you are wondering how long you can wait to start your holiday shopping, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs has tips to help you get the best deals.
What’s the bottom line? Extra research can really pay off.
· Set a budget. Create a gift list and check it twice to help you stay on track and not over-spend.
· Decide what matters. If you are buying gadgets, know what your “must-have” features are versus those that are just nice to have.
· Use search engines. Type a company or product name into your search engine with such terms as “review,” “complaint” or “scam,” to find out more.
· Read online reviews. Reviews from other consumers, experts and columnists can give you an idea of how a product performs. Don’t put all of your trust in one review.
· Consider reputation. A brand’s reputation for quality and good customer service can really pay off.
· Check comparison shopping sites. These sites connect to many retailers selling the same product, sometimes at significantly different prices.
· Consider coupons. Some companies offer discounts via email and some websites collect and list codes for free shipping and other discounts. Search for the store with such terms as “discount,” “coupon” or “free shipping.”
· Read return policies. Not all stores have the same rules. Some charge fees for return shipping or restocking things like electronics. And be sure to check on the address – should a return be necessary, you want to make sure you know where to send it.
· Decide how to pay. When you shop online, credit cards can offer extra precautions.
· Look for a secure checkout. Does the website start with “https” (the “s” stands for secure) when you are checking out?
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.
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Money
With college and NFL football seasons getting under way, fans that do not have season tickets for their favorite will be looking to buy from alternative sources. Fans that try to buy tickets from these sources need to be on guard. Scammers are looking to cash in.
If you choose a less-than-reputable source when buying tickets, you run the risk of being ripped off. Tickets sold in the secondary market– from sellers who do not have the authority to issue tickets and either acquired them from a team, venue or are reselling them– are big business. Once you pay for tickets online, you have no way of knowing if they will ever show up. You run the risk of receiving fake tickets or nothing at all.
“If you plan to buy tickets online or from someone selling tickets at the event, please take the time to make sure you are dealing with a legitimate seller,” said Consumer Affairs Director Gary Cordell. “Taking the time to ask for pictures of the tickets you plan to purchase or inspecting a scalper’s ticket for any inaccuracies can help you to avoid handing your hard-earned money over to scammers looking to make a quick dollar.”
If you plan to buy tickets, either online or from ticket reseller at the event, remember:
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.
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Money
If you are one of many Americans looking for a job, you have probably seen ads for job placement firms that promise results. While many of these firms may be legitimate and helpful, others may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings and charge high fees in advance for services that may not lead to a job.
Before you are tempted to spend money with placement firms:
· Reject any company that promises to get you a job.
· Be skeptical of any employment service that charges first.
· Get a copy of the company’s contract and read it carefully before you pay any money.
· Take your time reading the contract. Don’t be caught up in a rush to pay for services.
· Stay away from high-pressure sales pitches that require you to pay now or risk losing out on an opportunity.
· Be cautious about purchasing services or products from a firm that’s reluctant to answer your questions.
· Be aware that some listing services and consultants write ads to sound like they are jobs when they are actually selling general information about getting a job.
· Follow up with any offices or companies mentioned in an ad to find out if the company is really hiring.
· Be wary of firms that promote “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs. All federal positions are announced to the public on www.usajobs.gov.
· Check with Consumer Affairs, 800-342-8385 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, to see if any complaints have been filed against a company with which you intend to do business.
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.
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