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The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Before entering into a home improvement contract with a homeowner, a contractor should understand the differences between registering as an individual contractor, with or without a D/B/A (doing business as), or as a corporation. Contractors and homeowners should be certain that the name the …Continue Reading Registration Run-Down
For many consumers, their wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of their lives. However, when things do not go according to plan, consumers may be left with a substantial debt and nothing to show for it. Wedding insurance, or coverage, …Continue Reading What to know before purchasing wedding insurance
Instant payment apps have become a popular fixture for peer-to-peer payments. Before using instant payment apps such as Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle, you should do your research so you understand exactly what you are signing up for. Peer-to-peer payments are instant, cashless, payments …Continue Reading Payment App Scams
The moving process can be expensive between packing, hiring movers, or storing belongings. Unfortunately, con artists attempt to take advantage of movers and defraud them of thousands of dollars and even some of their belongings. If you are planning to move, make sure to do …Continue Reading Attention movers! Protect your money and belongings
Skimming devices can be difficult to spot and technology is improving the ways thieves use skimmers to obtain your personal information. But in the battle against skimming devices, inspectors from the Division of Standards recently told us how technology is also helping consumers detect …Continue Reading Scanning for skimming devices
Last summer, the FTC fined Dish Network $280 million for violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Now, as a result of a class action lawsuit, consumers who were contacted by Dish Network telemarketers may be able to collect up to …Continue Reading Did Dish Network call you? You may be eligible for $1,200
Consumers who own a home or are planning to own one know that it’s important to plan for the use of their property, both inside and outdoors. Often these homeowners will turn to licensed Landscape Architects. Landscape Architects design the outdoor spaces in which people …Continue Reading Is your yard in need of some sprucing up?
When a company announces that it is closing or it files for bankruptcy, customers with gift cards, certificates and prepaid services are often concerned about being left in the lurch. Some consumers may have paid money in advance for services from the business and are now …Continue Reading Goodbye, gift cards
Contractors performing home improvement work on owner-occupied, pre-existing one to four unit residences are required to have a Home Improvement Contractor (“HIC”) Registration and know what their responsibilities are under the HIC law, M.G.L. Chapter 142A. We all know what a pre-existing house is and …Continue Reading Owner Occupied or Owner-owned? How to determine if your home qualifies under the Home Improvement Contractor Law
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2018