Quick Access to Mass Consumer Affairs main site.
Mass Consumer Affairs Blog
The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
As part of our ongoing consumer education and outreach, OCABR is again sharing its “Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers List” of 2021. The use of the products featured on this list have resulted in legal or legislative action, recalls, and/or other measures to protect …Continue Reading Top 10 Worst Products for MA Consumers List of 2021
The biggest shopping days of the year are upon us. Whether you hit the stores on Black Friday, clicked your mouse on Cyber Monday, or are waiting for deals on Super Saturday picking the perfect gift at the best price is on everyone’s mind this …Continue Reading Super Saturday Shopping Preparation
The holiday season brings out the best in people, and that often means making charitable donations. While we get into the gift giving spirit this month, scammers are finding new ways to take advantage of your generosity through charity scams. This year Massachusetts joined the …Continue Reading Scam Alert: Charitable Giving Fraud
“Honey, I shrunk the cereal” is not a new movie adding to the 1990s comedy classic series; it’s a phrase consumers might find themselves repeating while putting away groceries. You may notice that your favorite product container shape has changed, gotten smaller, or is missing …Continue Reading Shrinkflation: Smaller Products, Bigger Prices
Small businesses are the heart of our communities. These businesses not only provide locally sourced items, but the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that more than half of working Americans either work for or own a small business. In celebration of these small business …Continue Reading National Small Business Week
Retailers aren’t the only ones hoping to capitalize on the upcoming long weekend shopping sprees, scammers are waiting to take advantage of consumers enjoying Labor Day discounts. While some shoppers will hit the mall, most will access the internet in search of sales or to …Continue Reading Labor Day Deals and Online Shopping Scams
This year for the first time, Juneteenth will be celebrated as a state holiday. Governor Baker signed this into law on July 24, 2020, to recognize “the continued need to ensure racial freedom and equality.” Juneteenth is an annual celebration commemorating the end of slavery …Continue Reading New State Holiday “Juneteenth Independence Day”
There is no place like home. Or in this case, there is no better place to shop than close to home. Keeping small businesses in the Commonwealth alive and running has never been safer, easier, or more important. The My Local MA initiative, championed by …Continue Reading Buy Here: My Local MA Promotes Patronizing Businesses Close to Home
For the second year in a row we invited you to take a jog down memory lane with us as we looked back at the worst consumer products with our “Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers” list. The Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation …Continue Reading Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers of the Year 2020
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
We want to hear from you. Connect with us.
2021