Saturday 6 April 2013

Consumer Scams;Something came for me in the mail that I never ordered;

do I have to pay for it?
No, you do not have to pay for anything you didn't order. If the seller sends bills or collection letters, write the seller informing them that you never purchased such an item and can either treat it as a gift or return it to them if they cover shipping. If the seller still insists, ask the seller to send proof that you ordered the item. If the seller does not relent, notify your state consumer protection agency.
Be careful, however, that you didn't inadvertently sign up for something that was claimed to be "free" or for a "trial" but is now being billed. Often, sellers hide terms like this in the fine print, and many "clubs" that you can join operate this way. If this happens:
  • Cancel any membership
  • Offer to return the item
  • Demand that the seller take your name off of any mailing list
  • Let the seller know that you think their ad was deceptive and misleading
What are some of the most common consumer scams?
The Better Business Bureau regularly releases a list of the top scams of the year, and here is a top ten list of consumer scams in the US:
  • Supplement and related "free trial" offers
  • Government grant and stimulus money offers
  • Robocalls (automated telephone advertisements)
  • Lottery/sweepstakes scams
  • Job hunter scams
  • Internet-based work from home scams
  • Mortgage assistance scams
  • Shopping scams (a fake check is given for you to go spend)
  • Over-payment scams (scammer writes a fake check for more than the amount due and asks you to wire the difference)
  • Phishing emails
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