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The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
The holidays are here and as you both give and receive gifts it’s likely you will find some cases in which items are the wrong size or style or color, are damaged, or otherwise just not right. This means one thing—returns. Unfortunately, there is no …Continue Reading Shopping Series 2020: Holiday Returns
The pandemic has forced consumers to shop online with increasing frequency. However, when buying virtually, things are not always as they seem. Unlike when you enter a brick and mortar store, when you shop online– even with brands you know and trust– you are not …Continue Reading Shopping Series 2020: Third Party Vendors
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days away. And, the countdown to Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza is on. Are you ready to shop this holiday season? As you make your shopping list and check it twice, you will likely find yourself buying more things online …Continue Reading Shopping Series 2020: Online Shopping
Driven by the economic downturn brought on by pandemic related restrictions, unemployment across the U.S. is at a historic high. While national and local averages slowly decline across the country, unemployment fraud is on the rise. For many the unemployment benefit is a lifeline. Unfortunately, for …Continue Reading Fraud Alert: Unemployment Benefits & ID Theft
The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting a lot colder. As New Englanders we are beginning to switch the items in our wardrobes from light weight tee-shirts to heavy cardigans. This fall your closet should not be the only room in the …Continue Reading Winter is Coming, Are You Ready?
Ordinarily, scary things on Halloween are confined to spooky movies, frightening costumes, and the possibility of tainted goodies, but this year COVID-19 presents additional concerns for trick-or-treaters and those giving out candy. Just as with other activities, precautions can be taken to make Halloween safe …Continue Reading Halloween During the COVID Era
October 25 – 31, 2020 – is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and their partners have organized this to heighten awareness …Continue Reading National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
These days the line between our real and online lives is becoming thinner and thinner each day as we are constantly connected to the internet. This is even more true during the pandemic where remote work, home-schooling, and online shopping have become the norm – …Continue Reading Cybersecurity Awareness Month: #BeCyberSmart
Nobody likes getting debt collection calls. But have you ever gotten one for a debt you already paid — or you know isn’t yours? Or have you been threatened and harassed by a debt collector until you paid up? If so, we want you to …Continue Reading Have you gotten a collection call about a debt you don’t recognize?
You never know when rainfall may lead to a major flood. National Preparedness Month is a great time to make sure your home and belongings are prepared for the unexpected. Having a flood in your home can cause major destruction, leading to costly repairs. Programs …Continue Reading National Preparedness Month: National Flood Insurance Program Facts
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2020