The Consumer Federation of America says the greatest way to avoid a scams or rip-off is to do some research. Here are 10 instructions for protecting yourself:
1. Before buying from new companies, check with state or local consumer agencies, the Better Business Bureau and online complaint forums to observe if further people have reported serious problems.
2. When hiring home development contractors or additional professionals, ask your state or local consumer agency if they should be licensed or registered and how you can verify that they have complied.
3. Pay with a credit card so you can argument the charges if you don’t obtain what you were promised.
4. Use gift cards, gift certificates and coupons rapidly. (thedentalspa.com) Still well-established businesses can go belly-up, send-off you with useless vouchers.
5. Don’t pay in full sincere. If you are asked for a deposit, pay a little amount.
6. Be familiar with the danger signs of fraud, such as needs to wire money, force to act immediately, promises that you can win or make money effortlessly if you pay a fee in advance and offer to get better money that you’ve lost to scammers, for a fee.
7. Acquire all promises in script. Oral agreements are tough to prove.
8. If you are in under pressure to pay bills, try to effort out a solution directly with your creditors. If you require help, a nonprofit credit analysis service can advise you. To get one, make contact with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at http://www.nfcc.org or 1-800-388-2227. For help receiving mortgage payments familiar, call 1-800-569-4287. Information about modifications is obtainable at http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov. You must know that it is prohibited for debt settlement or foreclosure prevention companies to charge any fees until they’ve complete what they promised.
9. Debt collectors should follow state and federal laws, which make illegal them from making calls through certain hours or with irritating frequency, falsely threatening lawful action or discussing sum unpaid with people who are not legally answerable for them.
10. If you are not confident what your rights are or you believe that something sounds fishy, request your state or local consumer agency for advice.