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Mass Consumer Affairs Blog
The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Congratulations to the Class of 2019! As students across the country look toward their future, two-thirds of all college graduates will also begin receiving their first bill to repay college their college loans. Scammers may try to take advantage of recent college grads by …Continue Reading College Student Loan Scams
When debating who to hire for a home improvement job or deciding whether to purchase a new TV from Brand X or Brand Y, many consumers turn to internet reviews to see what others thought of the service or product. Did you know that honest …Continue Reading Review your reviewing rights!
In 2019, 48 billion robocalls were placed to consumers, an increase of 60% from 2018 (according to robocall-blocking service YouMail). In Massachusetts, nearly 500 million robocalls were made to residents, with an average resident receiving 6.3 robocalls in April 2019 (State House News Service). And …Continue Reading Robocalls: Shaken or Stirred?
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation surveys car dealerships in the Commonwealth semi-annually to evaluate their compliance with the Massachusetts Lemon Laws. Massachusetts law mandates that Lemon Law stickers must be displayed on every vehicle for sale, new and used, at every Massachusetts …Continue Reading Spring 2019 Lemon Law Audit Results
The moving process can be expensive between packing, hiring movers, and storing belongings. Unfortunately, con artists will attempt to take advantage of movers and defraud them of thousands of dollars or even some of their belongings. Scammers may entice consumers by offering incredibly low prices …Continue Reading Bubble-wrap your belongings: A consumer guide to moving
A home inspection is the visual examination of the physical structure and major interior systems of a residential dwelling (up to four units). While home inspections are not a guarantee that there are no problems with your home and they are not intended to provide …Continue Reading Getting into the Cracks: the Role of a Home Inspector
Whether you’re buying, selling or renting, working with a quality real estate agent is extremely important to ensure a smooth process. When buying a home, consumers should: Know the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate salesperson: A real estate broker negotiates …Continue Reading Getting Real About Real Estate Agents—Buying a Home
Whether you’re buying, selling or renting, working with a quality real estate agent is extremely important to ensure a smooth process. When selling a home, consumers should: Know the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate salesperson: A real estate broker negotiates …Continue Reading Getting Real About Real Estate Agents—Selling a Home
When homeowners fall upon tough times, mortgage relief programs offer services such as a loan modification to help lower monthly payments and make them more affordable. However, during this stressful time consumers may become more vulnerable to scammers trying to take advantage of their situation. …Continue Reading Foreclosure & Mortgage Relief Scams
On Earth Day many consumers look for ways to be greener, such using less water, shopping with reusable bags or donating to environmental organizations. Another way that consumers have been trying to be more ecologically friendly concerns their fashion choices. The average American throws out 80 pounds …Continue Reading Is green the new black?
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