Connecticut BBB Offers 10 Smart Consumer Resolutions

Jan. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Get the Most for Your Money While Protecting Yourself in 2012

Consumers can save money and protect themselves by committing to Connecticut Better Business Bureau’s 10 Smart Consumer Resolutions.

Always check out businesses before buying or hiring, and look for the BBB seal – Your BBB doesn’t just report on Accredited Businesses.  You can review Reliability Reports on more than 4 million businesses by visiting http://www.ct.bbb.org
Beware of job offers to make easy money -  Scammers target job hunters, so beware of employment offers, work-at-home schemes or business opportunities promising big money for little work and no experience.
Always read the fine print—especially for free trial offers - Thousands of people complain to BBB every year after signing up online for free trial offers that resulted in repeated charges to their credit or debit cards, sometimes amounting to as much as hundreds of dollars every month.  Read the terms and conditions of free trial offers before handing over credit or debit card numbers, and keep a reminder of the trial end date in order to opt-out and avoid higher charges.
Keep your computer safe - Install anti-virus software and regularly check for software and operating system updates and patches. Don’t open attachments or click on links in e-mails unless you can confirm they came from trusted sources.  In addition, avoid clicking on hyperlinks in unsolicited emails.
Never wire money to someone you don’t know - Many ruses require you to wire money back to the scammers. Tracking money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union is extremely difficult, and it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.  Be suspicious of any “overpayment” that requires you to cash a check and send money by wire transfer.
Fight identity theft - Always shred documents that include sensitive financial data and dispose of computers, cell phones, printers and fax machines safely.
Create a budget and stick to it - If you’re cash-strapped, setting a budget can help you stay afloat in 2012.  Your BBB has advice on how to create a budget and help you get out and stay out of debt at http://www.bbb.org/credit-management/.
Fight fake check fraud - Educate yourself on the common types of check fraud and be wary of checks that come with claims you’ve won the lottery, are eligible for a government grant or have landed a job as a secret shopper.
Get everything in writing - Don’t just take a business’ word for it.  Get all verbal agreements in writing to limit miscommunication, misunderstandings and disconnects between your expectations and what the business delivers.
Ask your BBB for help - File a complaint with your BBB if you have a disagreement with a business or feel you have been cheated by a con artist or online company.

Being a savvy consumer is ultimately about using money wisely.  This year, resolve to create a budget, research businesses before buying and taking measures to protect yourself from scammers.

More helpful consumer resources may be found at http://ct.bbb.org/consumers.

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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org.