CCPO Public Forms

Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office

10 hours ago

Holiday Shoppers Consumer Tips from the Cumberland County Division of Consumer Affairs.

Unless you enjoy the bustle of traditional holiday shopping, you are probably thankful for being able to get what you need online. Unfortunately, the FTC has gotten reports from consumers who did not get their orders when expected – or never got them at all

Here are tips to have a good online Holiday shopping experience:

Spot and avoid scams.
 Before you buy, confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number.
 Search the seller’s name with the word “scam” to see if other buyers have had problems. Look carefully at the shipping date before you order.
 If there is no date given, the seller has 30 days to ship.
 If you are notified about a delay in shipping, you have the right to cancel the order and get a full refund.
 If you decide to cancel, let the seller know right away so you will not be billed.
 If the seller does not respond or refuses the refund, immediately report that to the credit company or bank that issued the card you used to pay for it. If possible, pay with a credit card.
 If you pay by credit card, your transaction is protected by law.
 That means you can often dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment pending an investigation.
Track and safeguard your delivery.
 Get tracking numbers to see where your purchase is … in the shipping process. Consider having your items held at the post office or delivered to a family member or neighbor in case you are not home.
 Some companies have their own secure locations where you can have your merchandise delivered. This protects you from having some Grinch steal your holiday right from your doorstep

Final tip …. Do not hesitate to contact our county’s “Consumer Protection Office” if you feel you have been the victim of a fraudulent, deceptive or unconscionable commercial business transaction.

Happy Holidays…. Stay safe… ...

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