New Year's Resolutions – Resolve To Be A Better Consumer

This New Year, resolve to spend time and money wisely by checking out companies before you pay, sign or agree to anything. The BBB can best help in a business transaction with information and education before the sale rather than complaint management after something’s gone wrong.

Your BBB is here with services for the entire community. Put those services to work for you now and with every business transaction in the New Year. Here’s how:

1. Put the BBB phone number and website in your mobile phone or by your home phone. Call the number or go online when you get an unexpected knock at the door, are approached with an unsolicited offer, are interested in a home remodeling project, buying a car or any other consumer purchase. After all you’re hard earned money should work for you and one of the best ways to make that happen is to make sure you’re not throwing it away.
2. Don’t give in to high pressure, "too good to be true" offers. Say "no" when you feel pressured to make a purchase over the telephone or at your front door.
3. Don't do business with strangers who approach you at home without doing a thorough check. Make sure you have a permanent address and phone number for the business. Know their business before you give them yours.
4. Read contracts before you sign them. Make sure you understand it, and it matches what you’ve been promised.
5. Don't give personal information over the telephone to an unfamiliar company. Banks and credit card companies do not call you asking for your account numbers; they already have them and don’t ask for them for "identification or verification”.
6. Refuse to pay in advance for a "guaranteed" loan, job, or buyer for your timeshare. Advance fee loans are illegal and cannot be recovered. They simply to take your money and give you nothing in return.
7. Don't fall for calls, letters or emails claiming you've won a prize, but you must pay something. If it’s a prize on a game of chance, there should be no strings attached.
8. Don't get involved with work-at-home schemes or business opportunities. Work-at-home offers to address or stuff envelopes, assemble items, read books, sell web sites, do medical billing, etc. where you must pay first for a kit or instructions, are schemes to get your money but deliver nothing, or something different than represented.
9. Do business on the web with the same caution you use on Main Street. Shop with familiar companies that have secure websites and well defined privacy policies. Anyone can look good on a website. Go to www.bbb.org to look up the company’s business review.
10. Look for BBB Accredited Businesses when you shop. Accredited Businesses have a B or better rating on a scale from A+ - F and have agreed to abide by the BBB Standards for Trust which represent sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence in business.