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Mass Consumer Affairs Blog
The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Summer quickly faded to Fall with bright color leaves changing and crisp weather rolling in. These changes also mean that it’s spooky season, a time for costumes and delicious treats. Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights this month and staying safe is very …Continue Reading Halloween Safety Tips
Consumers are constantly using new and emerging technologies both at work and at home. As a society we’ve become more dependent on internet connection as events, employment, and momentous occasions move to virtual platforms. This in turn presents a need for increased security in our …Continue Reading Cybersecurity Awareness Month #BeCyberSmart 2021
Living alone can be isolating, especially over the past year when socializing has been a health risk due to COVID-19. That is why the Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC) wants you to know, no matter your income, there are ways for you to have …Continue Reading Lifeline Awareness Week
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
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
If you are a home improvement contractor or homeowner in Massachusetts, we’ve got you covered with our introductory guide to understanding the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) programs – from both perspectives, the homeowner’s and contractor’s. This introduction to HIC programs is the first of our …Continue Reading HIC— Easy as 1-2-3! Introduction
Consumers deserve to feel confident that the price they see advertised in stores is the price they’re going to pay. That’s why the state’s Division of Standards (DOS) annually inspects retail stores to make sure their pricing is accurate. While overall inspectors find accurate pricing, …Continue Reading What You See is What You Get: Shopping Price Accuracy
Sadly, we’ve all heard stories about elderly men and women who have been solicited or scammed. So it should come as no surprise that some reports indicate an estimated $37 billion is lost annually due to elder fraud. The goal of all scammers is …Continue Reading Ready Your Refusal Scripts!
Most consumers have heard of the term “bait and switch,” but may not be aware when it happens to them. A sales representative may try to convince you to buy a different item than the one you came for, which may simply seem like a …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Series: Bait and Switch
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2021