National Consumer Awareness Week 2017

The Consumer Advocacy & Response Division (CARD) is promoting consumer education during National Consumer Protection Week, (March 5-11). Know your rights and avoid scams. Visit consumer.ftc.gov for consumer protection tips and materials.

The (CARD) are consumer specialists trained to assist you directly in seeking to resolve problems with businesses and answer any questions you may have. If necessary they may refer you to a wide network of available consumer assistance and legal aid resources.

Some of their assistance covers the following issues:

• Defective products;
• Car Sales and financing;
• Telemarketing scams;
• Debt collection;
• Mortgage servicing;
• Home improvement contracts;
• Utility bills; and
• Identity Theft

For more details see the CARD Brochure

Consumer Complaint forms are now available. If you seek an accommodation due to a disability or have an urgent complaint you may call the Consumer Hotline at (617) 727-8400 or (617) 727-4765 TTY.

**The Elder Hotline (888) 243-5337: This dedicated hotline operates as part of CARD and can assist older Massachusetts residents. Trained staff is knowledgeable of the more common consumer problems that affect older residents of Massachusetts.

Common Questions

What happens if you have paid money to a scammer with a credit or debit card?

–Call your credit card company immediately using the phone number you have on your monthly card statement, alert them of the fraudulent charge right away. Ask if you will be eligible to get your money back, and ask to get a new card with a new number to prevent more fraudulent charges. You may report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission. You may file a complaint online to the FTC. You can subscribe to FTC alerts. 

Watch and share this video on “How to File a Complaint.“

Why do I keep getting these Robo-Calls?

–If you get a call from an unknown number. Do not answer! These could be Robo calls. They are automated dialers that call thousands of people every day. As soon as you speak, or dial a number on the dial pad, you will receive more and more of these calls. You may want to see if your phone company can block these and telemarketing fraud calls. Lastly, you may also sign up on the FTC Do Not Call Registry. 

Watch and share these videos on “Robo Calls“ & “Telemarketing Fraud“

I think someone is using my identity, what should I do?

-Ok, some warning signs of identity theft, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission are: 

• You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain.
• You don’t get your bills or other mail.
• Merchants refuse your checks. 
• You get a notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account.

If this is familiar, notify the fraud department, ask them to freeze/close the accounts and change your login, password, and pins for the accounts. 

Place a free, 90-day fraud alert to one of the credit bureaus. Report the identity theft to the FTC online, or call (877) 438-4338, include as many details as possible. 

Watch and share this video on “Identity Theft“

THE INFORMATION ABOVE WAS PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION & MASS.GOV