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Mass Consumer Affairs Blog
The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
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
Tips for Avoiding Tricks this Tax Season 20-25% percent of Americans will file their taxes about two weeks before the filing deadline. In Massachusetts, the deadline to file your taxes is April 17. Whether you’re preparing to file your taxes or planning to be one …Continue Reading Tips for Avoiding Tricks this Tax Season
Many of us have experienced that moment of panic upon learning that our personal or financial information has been compromised. Will the thieves use my financial information and drain my accounts? Will they use my identity to open new accounts and ruin my credit? …Continue Reading Protect your child’s identity and future: What you need to know about Child ID Theft
January 28th is national data privacy day, an important day to serve as a reminder to consumers to take steps to protect their data privacy online. Cybersecurity awareness is important because being vigilant can keep you and your information safe. Today, take some time to …Continue Reading National Data Privacy Day!
Are you one of those consumers that can’t pass up a good vacation deal? While some of these deals are legitimate and a great value for your buck, many others are deceptive offers posted by scammers posing as online travel agencies or homeowners renting a …Continue Reading ScamTravel.Com
Many Americans are looking to 2019 to be a year of self-improvement, with the most common resolution being a greater dedication to health and fitness. If you plan to purchase a gym membership to kick start your new healthy lifestyle, make sure you have all …Continue Reading New Year, New You? What consumers should know about gym memberships before they sign.
As temperatures drop, thermostats begin to rise and many consumers begin to see their heating bills increase. It should come as no surprise then that scammers capitalize on the changing seasons by offering lower energy bills or preying on fears about …Continue Reading Energy Bill Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced the temporary shutdown of the largest overseas real estate investment scam it has ever targeted. According to the FTC, the alleged scammers mislead investors into buying lots at a development called Sanctuary Belize. The scammers promised several …Continue Reading Sanctuary Scam?
Massachusetts consumers looking to renew a license or schedule a road test online through the Registry of Motor Vehicles may come across unofficial third-party websites, or “mimic sites.” Do NOT be fooled! These services have no affiliation with the RMV, regardless of how real they may seem.
Food festivals. Wine and Beer festivals. Music festivals. Art festivals. There is no shortage of ways for consumers to partake in a favorite activity this summer. However, scammers have begun to take advantage of individuals wishing to attend a festival by creating phony websites and “selling” tickets to events that don’t actually exist.
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2020