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Attorney General Mike DeWine
DeWine Offers
12 Holiday Shopping Tips for Consumers
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today offered
holiday consumer protection tips ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, one of
the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
“We encourage consumers to take some simple steps to protect
themselves,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Whether they’re shopping
online or in stores, we encourage people to take their time, understand
the details, and ask for help if they need it. Awareness can go a long
way in preventing problems.”
The National Retail Federation (NRF) says an estimated 137.4 million
people plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend, which includes
Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and the Sunday
after Thanksgiving. Additionally, the NRF says about 36 percent of
consumers plan to shop online during Cyber Monday (the Monday after
Thanksgiving).
Consumers can help avoid holiday shopping problems by following these
tips:
Plan before you shop. Review ads carefully and compare deals. Important
exclusions and limitations should be disclosed in ads, including
online, so check the details to see if limited quantities of an item
are available for sale, if the sale price is valid only during certain
hours, or if other terms and conditions apply.
Check return policies. In Ohio, sellers can choose to set their own
return policies, including policies of “no returns,” but if they have a
policy that limits your ability to get a refund, they should clearly
tell you what the policy is before you complete the purchase.
Look for “free” offers that renew automatically. Before signing up for
a free trial of a product or service, check the details, especially if
you are asked to provide your credit card number or pay for shipping
and handling. In many cases, if you sign up for the offer, you will be
automatically enrolled in a program that will charge you on a regular
basis.
Compare gift cards. Not all gift cards are alike, so review the terms
and conditions before you buy. In general, most gift cards must last at
least five years, but fees may vary depending on the type of card it
is, such as whether it’s a single-store card or a prepaid
network-branded card that can be used most anywhere. Also promotional
cards, such as those that come free with a purchase, may not have the
same protections.
Check details of a layaway plan. Layaway plans let you pay in
installments before you buy an item outright. Before signing up, check
the plan’s details. Look for any initiation or service fees, the length
of the plan, when payments are due, and whether you can get your money
back if you cancel. Also find out what happens if an item on layaway
goes on sale, or if there are certain days when layaway is not
available.
Keep your receipts. Maintaining a complete record of a sale will help
you handle problems that may arise after the purchase. Keep copies of
receipts, sales agreements, advertisements, photos of products, or
other documentation of a sale until the transaction and billing process
are complete.
Check delivery dates and fees. Carefully review the expected delivery
date and shipping costs before you make a purchase. Find out whether
you will have to pay shipping or restocking fees if you return the
product. Also pick up delivered packages promptly so that they’re not
stolen or damaged outside your door.
Be careful where you click. Don’t click on links or attachments unless
you’re sure they’re safe, even if they appear to come from a friend or
if they pop up on a reputable website. Some links are placed by
scammers, and clicking on them could cause a variety of problems, such
as downloading malicious software on your device or locking you out of
your accounts.
Use secure websites. Use secure websites whenever you need to enter
personal information online. Look for websites that begin with “https”
instead of just “http.” The “s” stands for secure. You also may see a
lock symbol to indicate the website has security features. Also, if you
are concerned about your privacy and security while browsing online,
consider using a private browsing option. Most Internet browsers offer
this feature.
Consider using a credit card for online purchases. In general, when you
pay with a credit card, you have certain rights to dispute unauthorized
charges that you may not have with a debit card or other form of
payment.
Beware of fake apps. Not all retailers have their own apps. Even if an
app appears to be “official,” it might actually come from a third party
not associated with the retailer. To help avoid problems, use official
app stores to download apps, and even then, double check the source of
the app. Before downloading an app, be sure you are comfortable with
the “permissions” it may require you to provide. Delete apps you no
longer use.
Monitor your accounts. Regularly check your credit card and bank
accounts for unauthorized charges or unexpected activity. If you find
problems, immediately notify your credit card provider or bank. The
sooner you identify a problem, the sooner you can work to correct it.
Consumers who suspect an unfair business practice or want help
addressing a consumer problem should contact the Ohio Attorney
General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
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