Consumer Protection Week

Highlights State, Membership Agencies

HARTFORD — The Department of Consumer Protection is joining with federal, state, and local government agencies and organizations to celebrate the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) March 6–12. During the week, groups at all levels nationwide are sharing tips and information to help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, prevent identity theft, and avoid frauds and scams.

This year, the state is highlighting internet safety. Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein is encouraging computer users to contact the Department for a free booklet, “Net Cetera,” which offers information and resources for online safety and specific tips for teaching children, preteens and teens how to protect themselves online.

On Friday, March 11, Department staff will be part of a showcase of consumer-focused information at the Concourse between the Legislative Office Building and the Capitol in Hartford.

Members of the public are invited to visit between 10 am and 2 pm, to speak with representatives of the Department of Consumer Protection, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Banking, the Better Business Bureau and several other groups about consumer issues and concerns.

Free materials will be available as well.

“We want people to recognize that they are their own best protection against fraud, identity theft, and other scams, although help is always available when it’s needed,” Mr Rubenstein said. “I hope everyone will make it a point this week to take action for their own consumer protection — order and read free consumer materials, talk to children about staying safe online, install a computer firewall, order their free credit reports, or any number of little things that can really make a difference.”

“Net Cetera,” a booklet about online safety, was developed by OnGuard Online, a program of the Federal Trade Commission. Available in both English and Spanish, a free copy of either booklet can be requested by calling the Department of Consumer Protection at 800-842-2649, or through the DCP website at www.ct.gov/dcp.

The Department of Consumer Protection is responsible for protecting citizens from physical injury and financial loss that may occur as the result of unsafe or fraudulent products and services marketed in Connecticut.

Big Consumer Returns

In addition to its licensing, regulation, enforcement, and educational functions, the department returned to consumers in 2010 nearly $2.8 million from the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, $992,000 from the New-Home Construction Guaranty Fund, $34,657 from the Real Estate Guaranty Fund; $47,000 from the Health Club Guaranty Fund; and ordered restitution of $1.3 million to consumers for vehicle replacement through the “lemon law” arbitration program.

Besides being on hand at the Capital event March 11, Connecticut BBB is also recommending several easy steps consumers can take to become a smart and savvy shopper.

“Scammers are not going away, but savvy consumers make a con artist’s job more challenging,” said Connecticut Better Bureau President Paulette Scarpetti. “With so many people closely watching their budgets, it is more important than ever to protect yourself from being cheated out of your money by scammers and disreputable businesses.”

The BBB recommends the following tips to protect your wallet:

1. Get everything in writing and always read the fine print. Contracts, customer agreements, and fine print protect the business and outline the terms of the agreement with the customer. While it is natural to want to avoid reading the legalese, it is important that customers understand their rights. Whenever signing a contract, BBB recommends reading the fine print carefully — even if it means taking it home and sleeping on it. Also, get all verbal promises in writing.

2. Protect your identity and your pocketbook. Fighting identity theft means staying vigilant online and off. Protect your identity by taking the following steps:

*Always shred sensitive documents that include personal financial information such as bank, credit card, and Social Security numbers.

*Monitor your financial accounts closely to more quickly detect suspicious activity.

*Make sure computers have up-to-date antivirus software and be extremely selective when opening attachments or clicking on links in e-mails.

*Shop online through secure sites only and always confirm that the business is trustworthy before entering your credit or debit card number.

3. Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Many scams bilk victims by convincing them to wire money. The stated reasons can vary and include mystery shopping, paying fees to win a lottery, and — if the target is a small business owner — overpayment for goods or services. Scammers know it is extremely difficult to track money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union, and it is nearly impossible to get your money back. Even if you have been given a check to supposedly cover the amount you are wiring, never send money to someone you do not know personally and keep in mind checks that require wiring money back to the sender are in all likelihood, counterfeit.

4. Know where to complain. If a consumer has been cheated by a business, there are a number of organizations and government agencies that want to hear about it. File a complaint with:

*The Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/us/file-complaint,

*Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov, and

*Office of the Attorney General or Department of Consumer Protection.

*If a consumer loses money in an online scam such as a phishing e-mail or deceptive website, they can also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.

5. Always check businesses out with BBB. You can check out BBB Business Reviews for nearly four million businesses across North America by visiting ct.bbb.org. A BBB Business Review will tell consumers how many complaints a company has received, whether it responds to complaints and much more.

For more advice on managing your money and avoiding scams, visit ct.bbb.org/Consumer-Tips.