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Mass Consumer Affairs Blog
The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Eating well is one of the most important things we can do to take care of ourselves and our families. For many families in the Commonwealth coping with the loss of income due to the pandemic food insecurity has become a real threat. According to …Continue Reading Coping with Food Insecurity
Roadways are seeing a lot less traffic these days as businesses remain shuttered and much of the state is adhering to the stay-at-home policy initiated by Governor Baker’s state of emergency. Just the same, people have continued to shop for and purchase cars during the …Continue Reading What to Do If You Buy a Car That is a Lemon
On March 25th President Donald Trump signed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package which included an emergency universal income payment of $1,200 for most Americans who earn under $75,000 a year. The IRS will make prorated payments to those making up to $99,000 a year. …Continue Reading Show Me the Money
If layoffs, furloughs, and continued economic uncertainty have you concerned about keeping afloat during the global pandemic, the financial lifeline you need may be easier to obtain than you think. Banks, credit unions, mortgage servicers, and other financial industry professionals recognize the financial impact of …Continue Reading Relief for the Weary: Financial Institutions Make Accommodations Amid COVID-19 Emergency
Communication is important in every facet of our lives in the best of times, and even more so in uncertain times like those we are facing today. As people around the world remain at home to prevent the spread of a global pandemic staying connected …Continue Reading Staying Connected
While schools and businesses are closed and everyone is practicing social distancing in an attempt to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), there is one group that is hard at work—scammers. Seeing an opportunity to take advantage in growing numbers, scammers are both resorting …Continue Reading Beware of Coronavirus Scams
Today marks the beginning of 23rd annual National Consumer Protection Week, a weeklong celebration of understanding consumer rights and making well-informed decisions about money championed by the Federal Trade Commissions’ (FTC). Educating consumers about fraud threats and other protection issues has become vital in recent …Continue Reading National Consumer Protection Week 2020
With the fall upon us and temperatures dropping, you may be deciding to purchase wood to heat up your home this season. The Division of Standards (DOS) regulates the sale of wood and there are some things you should know. Whether you’re buying cordwood or …Continue Reading Get Heated, Not Cheated this Fall!
In parts one and two of our “HIC-Easy as 1-2-3!” blog series you learned about the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law and how to apply for the Arbitration program. Now we’ll cover the fund that may reimburse a homeowner with an unpaid final judgment against …Continue Reading HIC—Easy as 1-2-3! Part 3: Guaranty Fund
After the ink is dry on your home improvement contract and the job is underway, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Thankfully, the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law Arbitration program allows homeowners and registered contractors the opportunity to seek a resolution should a dispute arise. …Continue Reading HIC—Easy as 1-2-3! Part 2: Arbitration
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2020