PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUD

A number of complaints to our offices have revealed that despite our warnings, persons are still entering into sales agreements with questionable persons. Consumers are still handing over monies without having documented proof e.g. a receipt that they have done so or even a full understanding of the terms of the contract; as a result sometimes they do not get the item for which they have paid or the item is found to be defective. Please use the following guideline to assist you avoid becoming a victim of fraud or scam:

DO YOUR RESEARCH
Do not part with your cash before finding out if the business is legal. Do so by looking up the name of the business in the telephone directory; visiting the advertised address to ensure that they are actually operating from that location; where the business is based overseas, contact the relevant embassy to verify their existence; asking friends and relatives what their experiences have been or what they have heard and by calling the Consumer Affairs Commission and asking about the business’ complaint record. If there is no complaint record, do not assume that all is well; instead proceed to the other steps with more vigilance.

Research also means that you Shop around and Arm yourself with knowledge of prices, product details and packages so that you will be in a better position to bargain.

BEWARE OF CLAIMS THAT SOUND, “TOO-GOOD-TO-BE-TRUE”
There is no pill that allows you to lose weight permanently without proper diet and exercise; employment services cannot guarantee you a job; and there is no sure thing when risk is involved. So when you hear promises, ask yourself whether these promises are realistic, remember “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

LOOK FOR DIFFERENCE & GUARD YOUR PRIVACY
If you find that the promises do not match the contract or their advertisements say one thing but when you visit you are told something else, be suspicious. Of course, to be able to identify a difference you must first read and understand the contract. Do not simply give your private information to anybody. Know who is collecting it and how it will be used.

DO NOT BE PRESSURED INTO A PURCHASE
If you are told that this offer ends today, is urgent, or it is the final deadline and you must hand over a lot of money on spot or within a short period of time, ask for extra time to think about it. Think about it, rethink it, and then ask for more time, if possible take a friend when or if you return to the store. When you are satisfied and have done all the above then make a decision on purchase. Threats and harassment are also techniques used by scam artistes to ‘push a sale’.

FINALLY, IF YOU STILL HAVE DOUBTS, DON’T!!
Trust you instincts, if they tell you something is not right then by all means listen- ‘ when in doubt…leave it out!!!’

Tell us what issues you want addressed

Send e-mail to: cacjam@infochan.com or star@gleaner.com

Write to us at: 1B Holborn Road, Kingston 10 Or call us at: 926-1650-2 or toll free 1-888-991-4470, ask for our Information Desk