You work hard for your money, and you should protect it. The last thing you want to deal with is an unethical company making you spend more than you should, or even worse, stealing from you. The best protection against scams or dealing with unethical businesses is learning where they are and how to avoid them. Every year, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) releases a top 10 list of consumer complaints, which can be found here. The top 10 list includes :

1. Debt Collection
2. Auto Sales
3. Home Repair/Construction
4. Credit Cards (tie)
5. Internet Goods and Services (tie)
6. Predatory Lending/Mortgages
7. Telemarketing/Do-Not-Call
8. Auto Repair
9. Auto Warranties (tie)
10. Telecom/Slamming/Cramming (tie)

Protect yourself from the top 3 consumer complaints

The top 3 consumer complaints are the same for the second year in a row, so let’s take a look at how we can avoid them. The best way to protect yourself against these scams is to be aware of how they work and educate yourself about the process. This is a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

How to protect yourself from debt collectors.

In the game of debt collection, knowledge of the law is power. Unfortunately, some unethical debt collectors will prey on your ignorance of debt collection laws, often by harassment, false claims, and threats. Not all debt collectors fail to play by the rules, but if you come across one who does, you need to protect yourself. The first thing you need to do is know your rights. Read and understand the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Then use the law to protect yourself against unethical or illegal debt collection practices.

Protect yourself from debt collectors:

• Read and understand the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• Record phone calls/communication.
• Send correspondence via registered mail or require a signature for delivery.
• Send a drop dead letter; by law, debt collectors not allowed to contact you once you inform them not to (though you will still owe the debt).

How to protect yourself from shady auto dealers

Customer complaints against auto dealers was number two on the list, and the most common complaint was in regard to used vehicles. Unfortunately, most states don’t have laws that require auto dealerships to reveal a vehicle’s history, even if they have the information. That means it may not be against the law for them to tell a lie regarding vehicle accident history, insurance claims, flood damage, etc. To top it off, in most cases used car sales are final and there is no recourse for the customer.

Protect yourself from shady auto dealers

Your best protection is to inspect the vehicle yourself, take it to an independent mechanic, run a CarFax report on the vehicle, and go beyond the CarFax report for more information about the vehicle’s condition.  If the auto dealership won’t let you take the car to an independent mechanic to have it inspected before purchase, then you can take that as a sign to move on to a different dealership.

How to protect yourself from home repair fraud

The third most common consumer complaint was home repair and construction. There are many great contractors and home repair specialists out there, but there are just as many hacks and fraudsters.

One common scam is when “contractors” drive through neighborhoods and offer unsolicited bids on contracting jobs. They often quote prices well under the average market price and request a large deposit upfront for “material and expenses.” Once they take your check and several other checks in the neighborhood, they disappear and are gone for good. Other complaints center around contractors using inferior materials, delivering less than promised, finishing the project well behind schedule, cost overruns, and more.

Protect yourself from home repair fraud:

• Get a contract in writing with specifics regarding who, what, how much, timeline, materials, warranties, etc.
• Get recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors for trusted contractors.
• Ensure contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured.

The common factor in these customer complaints

Why do these three complaints lead the consumer complaint list two years running? Because they are difficult to police, difficult for the consumer to prove if a promise wasn’t in writing, and there is often very little that can be done after the fact. The most effective way to prevent falling for similar deceptive practices is to educate yourself about the what you are buying, or the process involved. Knowledge is power and protection.

More about consumer complaints

If you have a consumer complaint you should contact your state attorney general’s office or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

• Find more information about acceptable practices or where you can report fraud: FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection.
• Contact your State Attorney General.
• Share your complaint with others @ Ripoff Report.

~$~

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1. National Consumer Protection Week
2. Protect Yourself Against Charity Scams
3. Check Engine Light On? Get it Diagnosed Free

Credit Cards and ATM cards are two of the most convenient tools used for everyday monetary transactions. In fact, I use my credit card more often than I use cash – I just make sure pay it off in full every month!

Unfortunately, there are always those who are looking for a free ride. These You Tube videos will show you a few scams to watch out for. (If you are reading via a feedreader, you may have to click through to view the videos).

How to Avoid Credit Card and ATM Scams

Skimming on an ATM Machine (5 minutes)

Waitress Card Cloning (5 minutes)

Another restaurant skimming (3 minutes)

The Worst ATM Scam (2 minutes)

Hopefully these videos will help you avoid getting scammed – especially that last one!

~$~

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1. A Question of Ethics and Money… What Would You Do?
2. Killer Credit Card Fees and How to Avoid Them
3. National Consumer Protection Week

You walk up to the register to make a purchase like you have done a thousand times before. Only this time it’s different. When you reach for your wallet, there is nothing there. Panic sets in. Did you leave it at home? Is it in your car? Was it stolen? I have never lost my wallet for more than a day or so, but that feeling of panic is not a good feeling!

What to do when your wallet or purse is lost or stolen

When you first realize your purse or wallet is lost or stolen, you shouldn’t panic – nor should you assume it is sitting at home on the coffee table. You should immediately make a diligent and thorough search of your home, car, place of work, or anywhere else you may have been between the last time you remember using it and when you discovered it was missing. Once you have discovered it is truly gone, follow these steps:

Immediately report the loss or theft to the police

Though it might seem a little mundane to report a lost purse or wallet to the police, you need to do this to cover your tracks. Identity theft is a real threat and the credit bureaus and your bank will want police reports if you ever claim fraudulent uses on your credit cards or credit report. Be sure to save a copy of the report – you might need it!

Contact credit card issuers

You will need to inform your credit card issuers that your cards were lost or stolen and to be on the lookout for fraudulent activity. Most credit card issuers will immediately cancel your credit cards and issue you a replacement card with a new number and new expiration date. This will be a hassle for any automatic payments you had set up, but it will limit the damages to your credit and limit your losses!

Your credit card losses are limited to $50. If you lose your card and report it before it is used, you cannot be held liable for any charges made on your card. If your card is used before you can report it, the most you can be held liable for is $50 in fraudulent charges. It’s also good to know that if the loss only involves your credit card number, but not the card itself, then you have no liability for unauthorized use.

Contact your bank

Chances are you carry around a Debit or ATM card and/or checks. If so, you need to alert your bank that they have been lost or stolen – and the sooner the better because your liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your ATM or debit card depends on how quickly you report the loss! My debit card number was stolen once, and I was lucky not to incur any losses. But of your card is stolen, you may be responsible for losses, depending on your situation.

ATM losses range from $50 – $500 – unlimited. If you report an ATM or debit card missing before it’s used without your permission, the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized transfers. If unauthorized use occurs before you report it, your liability under federal law depends on how quickly you report the loss.

Limit of $50 in losses. If you report the loss of your ATM card within two business days after you realize your card is missing, you will not be responsible for more than $50 for unauthorized use. Limit of $500 in losses. If you more than two business days after you discover the loss to report the card missing you could lose up to $500 from unauthorized transfers. Unlimited ATM losses. Finally, you also risk unlimited losses from your bank account if you fail to report an unauthorized transfer within 60 days after your bank statement containing unauthorized use is mailed to you.

Cancel the old ATM card. When you inform the bank your ATM card was lost or stolen, be sure to request a new card with a new number. This will allow you to continue access to your funds.

Contact the three credit bureaus

Contact the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will help you fight fraudulent claims and make it easier to protect your credit score. To do this you will need to contact the fraud departments of each bureau.

Contact the fraud units of the three major credit reporting bureaus:

• Equifax (800-525-6285);
• Trans Union: (800-680-7289); and
• Experian: (888-397-3742).

Lost Driver’s License, Social Security Card, and other important cards

Many people carry around other important cards in their purse or wallet. If you lose these, you can be in a world of hurt, as thieves may be able to steal your identity from the information they get from your cards.

Lost Social Security card. First, you should never carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider. After you use the card for that purpose, leave it at home under lock and key. If your SSN is stolen, you will need to get a replacement card and contact the Social Security Administration (SSA). Here is more info from the SSA about a lost or stolen SS card.

Lost driver’s license. You will need to report a missing driver’s license to your state’s department of motor vehicles. Depending on which state you are in, they may issue you a new driver’s license number and place an alert on your old driver’s license number.  In some states your driver’s license number is your SSN, and this gives thieves access to everything they need to steal your identity – a picture ID, your SSN, and your address.

Other important cards: If you carry any of these cards, be sure to immediately notify their fraud department to place a fraud alert on your account or get a replacement issued.

• Health insurance
• Passport
• Military ID
• Library card
• Store cards
• Membership Club cards

Monitor your statements and credit reports

Doing the steps outlined above is only half the battle. Filing a police report, canceling credit cards and ATM cards, placing fraud alerts on your credit report, and reporting other lost information will go a long way in protecting your identity and limiting your financial losses. But you will need to be vigilant and monitor your credit reports to detect any fraudulent activity. The problem with a stolen social security number is that thieves can steal your identity at any time, meaning you will probably need to monitor your credit reports for the rest of your life.

How to monitor your credit report for fraudulent activity. Everyone is eligible to receive one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can order these free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. The most effective way to monitor your credit is to stagger your free credit reports and get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every 4 months. Monitoring your credit report three times per year will give you the information you need to protect your identity.

More information about lost or stolen purses, wallets, and debit cards:

• My debit card number was stolen @ Cash Money Life
• What to do when your debit card gets stolen @ Gather LIttle by Little
• What to do about a lost wallet – @ My Two Dollars
• Lost or stolen wallet or purse – @ the FTC website
• Lost or stolen credit, debit, and ATM cards – @ the FTC website

I hope you never experience a lost or stolen wallet or purse. But if you do, I hope to have given you the tools to mitigate your losses!

~$~

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1. My Debit Card Number Was Stolen
2. Debit Card Versus Credit Card – Which Is Better?
3. What’s in Your Wallet?

Identity Theft is one of the worst things that can happen to your personal finances. When someone assumes your identity they can ruin your credit score and destroy your financial reputation for years. Identity theft is a growing crime, but there are some important measures you can take to avoid having your identity stolen.

How to avoid identity theft

The Federal Trade Commission maintains an Identity Theft Awareness website that outlines three important steps for avoiding identity theft: Deter Identity Theft, Detect Identity Theft, and Defend Against Identity Theft. Using these three steps can save you from an expensive and damaging experience.

Deter Identity Theft

The first step and most effective way to prevent identity theft is to deter identity thieves. Don’t give thieves a way to get your personal or financial information. This includes being vigilant with any personal and financial data. These tips will help:

• Secure your financial data under lock and key.
• Don’t carry your Social Security Card in your purse or wallet.
• Shred, burn, or destroy old financial or personal documents when no longer needed.
• Use secure computing methods to deter identity theft.
• Use secure passwords and change them often.

Detect Identity Theft

The next step is to detect identity theft if it has occurred. The more quickly you discover identity theft, the easier it is to limit the damage  to your credit and the easier it is to get the situation resolved.

Monitor your credit report and look for errors. Everyone is eligible for 1 free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can order these free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. The most effective way to monitor your credit is to stagger your free credit reports and get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every 4 months.

Here are several ways you can detect identity theft:

• Use an identity theft protection company to monitor your credit. (See trial offers below).
• Receiving unexpected bills for items you did not purchase.
• Calls or letters from bill collectors or creditors for items you did not purchase.
• No longer receiving expected bills.
• Denials of credit when you should be qualified.

You should make it a habit to review your financial statements on a monthly basis and get into the habit of getting your free credit reports.

Identity theft protection Offers:

The following commercial identity theft prevention companies offer free trials and discounts:

• ID WatchDog - FREE trial offer.
• Identity Truth – Identity Truth free trial offer, or
• Identity Truth – IdentityTruth: Save 20% Off
• Life Lock – 10% discount.

These offers may help you prevent, discover, and repair identity theft problems.

Defend Against Identity Theft

If you notice any outward signs of identity theft, take action immediately! The first step is to place fraud alerts on your credit reports. Then take the following actions:

• Review your credit reports carefully to determine where the security breach occurred.
• Close accounts that have been tampered with, or that you suspect may have been accessed fraudulently.
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
• File a police report where the theft took place. Most creditors will want proof that a crime has been committed.

You can also place a credit freeze which will prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name. This will not stop them from using accounts which have already been opened, which is why it is important to close any account that has been tampered with.

Identity theft is a serious crime

You have the power to prevent many forms of identity theft if you are vigilant with yuour financial records and actions. While you may not be able to prevent every instance of identity theft, these steps will go a long way toward protecting you, your credit report, and your personal finances. Good luck!

~$~

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2. What to Do When You Lose Your Purse or Wallet
3. How to Detect and Avoid IRS Tax Scams and Identity Theft

This week is the 11th annual National Consumer Protection Week. The National Consumer Protection Week was launched by the Federal Trade Commission and its partners to highlight consumer education efforts.

Consumer protection news and information

The information on the National Consumer Protection Week website is designed to help people stay informed about changes in the financial industry, how to improve their credit history and score, avoid identity theft and fraud, understand more about investments and investment scams,  protect their mortgage from foreclosure or foreclosure rescue scams, and understand their consumer rights and how to report crimes or file complaints with the appropriate government agency.

Consumer Protection Tools

One of the cool features about the National Consumer Protection website is that it doesn’t look or function like your traditional drab government website. A lot of thought and work went into making the website easy on the eyes and easy to use.

But the look and functionality are only a small part of the site. The tools and information are what matter most. There are numerous tools, calculators, videos, audio downloads, brochures in PDF format, website links, and other information sources to help you find what you are looking for.

For more information about these items, I encourage you to visit the following pages:

• Banking.
• Credit.
• Consumer Rights.
• Identity Theft & Fraud.
• Investments.
• Money.
• Mortgages.

Bookmark and share this resource

I encourage you to check out this website to get a quick understanding of what it has to offer. But the sheer number of tools and resources would make it difficult to learn everything at once, so I recommend bookmarking this resource so you can refer back to it later.

~$~

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2. Phishing Scam Targets USAA Members – Don’t be a Victim of Identity Theft!
3. Applying National Security Measures to Your Personal Finances

The military prides itself in taking the highest security measures to protect our nation’s secrets. Though most people never deal with matters of national security, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t take similar measures to protect their personal and financial information.The following definitions are used by the US government for training their military, civilian, and contractors who work on any government computer system. If these issues are important enough for national security, they are good enough for your personal information and finances!

Be aware of these threats to national security, and your personal information:

Phishing: High-tech scam that uses e-mail or websites to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, social security number, passwords, or other sensitive information. How to apply this civilian world: Companies will never ask for sensitive information via e-mail. Never click on links in suspicious e-mails; instead, type the url into the address bar.

Espionage: The act of obtaining, delivering, transmitting, communicating, or receiving information about the national defense with an intent, or reason to believe, that the information may be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage if any foreign nation. How to apply this civilian world: In this example, you can consider yourself the United States, and the national defense is the protection of your personal and financial information. Espionage would be equivalent to identity theft – or any attempt to obtain your personal information to use against you or to benefit someone else. Defend your personal information as you would defend your life.

Hacking: Illegally accessing other people’s computer systems for destroying, disrupting, or carrying out illegal activities on the network or computer systems. How to apply this civilian world: Hackers will attempt to access your personal information to steal your identity, or simply to cause destruction to the system. This could stem from an attack on your personal computer, or a commercial computer system that harbors your information. The best method of preventing this is to maintain up to date firewall and anti-virus measures and scan all downloads and executable files before opening them.

Malicious Logic: Hardware, software, or firmware capable of performing an unauthorized function on an information system. How to apply this civilian world: Examples of malicious logic include AdWare, SpyWare, Trojan Horses, Keyloggers, and other similar programs designed to record information or cause damage to your system. The best method of preventing this is to regularly scan your hard drive for these programs, maintain up to date anti-virus measures, and scan all downloads and executable files before opening them.

Social Engineering: A euphemism for non-technical or low-technology means – such as lies, impersonation, tricks, bribes, blackmail, and threats – used to attack information systems. For example, an unauthorized person who attempts to gain passwords by posing as a service technician with an urgent access problem. How to apply this civilian world: The majority of identity thieves know the criminal responsible for stealing their identity. Often, their information is stolen by people piecing together bits of their information until they are able to gather enough information that they can assume their identity to apply for credit, take out loans, write checks, and otherwise ruin your financial well-being. Always safe-guard your personal information around everyone – neighbors, friends, coworkers, and even family members.

Be vigilant. No, you are not at war. But you should still protect your personal and financial information like the military protects matters of national security. All it takes is one serious security breach to affect devastating and lasting effects on your finances.

~$~

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I love my bank. I logged on yesterday to take care of a money transfer and I noticed a pending transaction that I didn’t recognize. I did a quick Google search for the name on the charge – SOFTCOM Technologies – and it came up with a webhost located in Canada.

Red Flags. I obviously use a webhost for my sites, but I use LunarPages, which is located in California. I had also never heard of SoftCom, and had no recollection of using them in the past. The other red flag for me is that I use my Discover Business Credit Card for all my business needs, not my personal debit card.

Report a lost ATM/Debit card immediately! I called my bank, USAA, and inquired about the pending transaction. They were great. In the matter of a few minutes the representative was able to determine there had been two charges – one in June and one last night. Somehow I missed the June charge. After the customer service rep and I discussed the issue for a few minutes, we determined it was most likely fraud. I was transferred to USAA’s fraud department and they handled the situation in a few minutes. Once you suspect fraud, immediately contact your bank!

Problem resolved on my end. My card was canceled, a new one was sent to me, and I was informed I would receive a credit for both charges. I asked how the situation would be handled and they informed me they do a charge back with the bank involved to collect the money.

Now to find out what my card has been used for. My curiosity got the best of me and I went back to the SoftCom site and I noticed a phone number, which I decided to call. At this point my debit card was already canceled, so what did I have to lose?

Their customer service rep asked me a few questions, and after I explained the situation, he asked for the first 2 digits of my card number and my last 2 digits to find the account being funded by the card. That didn’t narrow it down enough so I gave him the last 4 digits and he said, “OK, I’ve got your account right here. Roger Williams, right?” Wrong!

He read off the domain name and I typed it into Google. It was filled out in some Eastern European language that I am not familiar with. It obviously wasn’t mine.

The rep was really cool about the situation and said he would flag the site as fraudulent. Within minutes, the site was completely gone.

I was lucky! The entire process took about 20 minutes due to great customer service on both ends. I admit that I was lucky though. I won’t be out any money, and the thieves only made two small transactions (both in the low $20’s). Had they withdrawn more money, they probably could have made me overdraft my account. Of course, I probably would have noticed it more quickly then!

What to do when your debit card is lost or stolen

If your wallet is lost or stolen, you should immediately report it. You will lessen your losses and help prevent identity theft. Here is a story about how a stolen debit card ruined a vacation. Thankfully, Glblguy was able to make it home safely. This event lead him to write about what to do when your debit card gets stolen.

How did they get my number? I honestly have no clue. For a couple years I used my ATM/Debit card as my primary means of payment, but I rarely use it anymore. I now prefer to use cash back credit cards – my current card of choice is the Chase Freedom Card (review).

~$~

Related Articles:

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There is a phishing scam going around purporting to be from the IRS. In this e-mail, they inform the recipient they are entitled to refunds of $92.35 or some other amount due to a calculation error on a past tax return. These e-mails are not from the IRS; they are from thieves who are attempting to extract your personal information to steal your identity and rack up thousands of dollars in charges they will make on your credit.

In this e-mail example, recipients were advised to go to a link and enter their identifying information that would normally be on their tax form, (i.e., name, address, DOB, SSN, etc.) in order to process their refund request. This email is BOGUS. The IRS never sends e-mails requesting personal information; they always send letters advising the individual of a pending problem.

These scams always turn up with renewed force during tax season, when many recipients act without thinking. Never enter your identifying information into a website without understanding exactly why you are doing it and where the information is going. For these types of e-mails, it is best to NEVER click on the link in the e-mail. Instead, type the url directly into the web address bar in your browser.

From the IRS website:

Phishing. Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to acquire personal financial data in order to gain access to the financial accounts of unsuspecting consumers, run up charges on their credit cards or apply for new loans in their names. These Internet-based criminals pose as representatives of a financial institution and send out fictitious e-mail correspondence in an attempt to trick consumers into disclosing private information. Sometimes scammers pose as the IRS itself. In recent months, some taxpayers have received e-mails that appear to come from the IRS. A typical e-mail notifies a taxpayer of an outstanding refund and urges the taxpayer to click on a hyperlink and visit an official-looking Web site. The Web site then solicits a social security and credit card number. In a variation of this scheme, criminals have used e-mail to announce to unsuspecting taxpayers they are “under audit” and could make things right by divulging selected private financial information. Taxpayers should take note: The IRS does not use e-mail to initiate contact with taxpayers about issues related to their accounts. If a taxpayer has any doubt whether a contact from the IRS is authentic, the taxpayer should call 1-800-829-1040 to confirm it.

The IRS also gives information on how to report suspected tax fraud activity.

Be vigilant. Protect yourself against computer fraud.

~$~

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Giving donations to charities is a great thing to do. There are many charitable organizations that make our world a better place. Unfortunately, wherever people are willing to give, there are unethical people willing to take advantage of them. Some of these charities are just inefficient and spend the majority of their money on overhead, fundraising, and salaries, and other charities are just plain scams.

Here are things you can do to avoid charity scams:

Investigate the charity if you are unfamiliar with it. If you have never heard of the charity, ask for some literature. A legitimate charity will be more than happy to share information about their cause with you. If the charity’s representatives do everything they can to avoid giving you literature, change the subject, or give you an unsatisfactory response, consider donating elsewhere.

Be wary of phone calls soliciting donations. A common method for scamming people is phone call solicitations. While many phone calls may originate from legitimate charities, there are a vast number that are outright scams.

Another thing to be aware of is charities that use phone call solicitations to collect money for firefighters, policemen, and veterans associations. These charities often make an arrangement with a local law enforcement or firefighters group to solicit funds on their behalf, in exchange for permission to make phone calls in the local area and use their name when soliciting funds. Unfortunately, in many of these cases only a small portion of the funds actually go to the respective police or firefighters organization. They claim to ”support” a good cause, but usually end up supporting themselves.

Some of these “charitable organizations” have no ties with any of these groups at all, and use misleading organizational names in order to trick people into giving. If it sounds official, it must be official, right? Not always – do your research!

Placing your number on the Do Not Call List can help reduce the number of telemarketer phone calls you receive, but it will not stop registered charities from calling you. You will have to specifically ask them to remove your number after they call you. One other note – once you give money to one of these organizations, they will share your information with others and you will get repeated phone calls from the original group and others!

Think twice before mailing off a check. Mail solicitations are another common means for scamming people. Many “charities” send out personalized address labels, stickers, calendars, or other small items to entice people into giving to them. These are often accompanied with a form that is pre-populated with your personal information and lists ”suggested donations.”

Remember, you are not obligated to give anything to them, especially when they send you something unsolicited. And if you give something to them, they will have your information, and you will likely receive many more of these solicitations in the future

Just say no to high pressure sales tactics. Charity organizations will be happy whenever you give them money to goods. If they pressure you to give right now, then they may not be legitimate. You should never be under any pressure to give your money to a charity. If they persist – walk away.

Money Mismanagement. Even legitimate charities may not manage their money well. Before giving money to a charity, try to determine how much of the funds they raise go toward certain costs such as overhead, fundraising and administrative costs and how much of their money goes toward delivering their charitable services. Investigate the charity – if less than 75% of their money goes toward charitable causes, consider donating elsewhere.

Protect yourself and give where you can make a difference

Charities are wonderful things and make our world a better place, but you owe it to yourself and others to protect yourself from scams and give money where it will be used properly, and for the right cause.

Note: These solicitation methods are used by both legitimate charities and charitable scams. You should always research any organization before sending them money.

For more information, please see the Federal Trade Commission’s site: Avoid Charity Fraud, and avoiding fraudulent military charities.

~$~

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2. Opt Out of Pre-screened Credit Offers and Stop Telemarketers
3. How to Stop Junk Mail Forever

Counterfeit goods cost consumers and legitimate manufacturers hundreds of billions of dollars every year. Yes, that is billions with a “B.” Big deal right? You buy a knock off Coach purse or Prada hand bag for $30 and no one is the wiser. What does it matter?

Well, aside from ethical considerations, there is a lot at stake with counterfeit goods. You need to consider the quality of the item, who is making the item (child labor anyone?), where the money goes (organized crime or terrorists?), and most importantly, the safety of the item. Many counterfeit electronics and batteries have been known to explode or catch fire, which can be particularly dangerous. Counterfeit pills, medicines, and toothpaste can also be extremely harmful.

Here is a guide to help you avoid unknowingly purchasing counterfeit goods:

Buy from a reputable source:

Very few counterfeit products reach the shelves of well established retailers. Buying from established retail outlets also provides something counterfeiters never will – a money back guarantee! Another thing to consider – many designer labels only sell their items through their own stores and outlets, and they will never sell via another store or vendor – especially not on a street corner!

Use caution when buying on-line:

Be sure to check the reputation of the store you are purchasing the item from. Another option is to look for the Buy Safe logo, which can provide guaranteed on-line transactions. The Better Business Bureau is not always the best logo to look for, because the BBB does not actually guarantee anything. Be particularly careful when buying on-line through a 3rd party vendor such as on an auction based website. These virtual stores are rarely guaranteed and you may find it impossible to get your money back.

This video gives more information about how to protect yourself when making on-line purchases: (please click through if you are reading via a feedreader)

Inspect the item:

Does the item look like it is good quality? Are the words and logos on the labels correctly spelled or sewn on properly? Are the zippers and stiching high quality? Is the item actually leather, or does it appear or feel fake? These can be tell-tale signs that the item is counterfeit.

Is the deal too good to be true?

C’mon, do you really think someone will sell you a $2,000 handbag for $40? Of course they wouldn’t! But what if they offer it to you for $200? Then you know one of two things – it is either A) stolen, or B) fake. Either way, it is not a good purchase for you! Be careful when judging by price alone. Price is not always an indicator of fake goods as criminals sometimes charge high dollar amounts for very good counterfeits.

Are you being pressured or persuaded into buying?

If so, walk away. People who sell the genuine items will almost always be able to sell them, and are under little pressure to make a sale. They will almost never force an item on you or pressure you to buy it. If there is a pressure tactic involved, chances are the item is stolen or a fake.

Be safe when purchasing products. Following these tips will not guarantee every item you purchase is 100% authentic, but it will greatly enhance the odds against being swindled. Above all, exercise caution and good judgment and hopefully you can avoid spending your hard earned dollars on… junk.

~$~

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