For Immediate
Release:
December 3, 2024
Commissioners offer tips to residents
ahead of the 2024 holiday shopping season
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County
Commissioners is reminding residents to
protect their personal information while purchasing gifts this holiday season.
“According to the Federal
Trade Commission, U.S. residents lost over $10 billion to scams in 2023,” said Commissioner
Director Thomas A. Arnone. “While the holiday season is a joyful time of year,
scammers and criminals see it as an opportunity to steal your personal
information for nefarious use.”
When shopping, consider
the following tips to help protect yourself from scams:
·
In stores, make sure
the scanned prices for your purchases are correct. Overcharges cost time and
money, especially when they are not noticed immediately;
·
Before buying anything
based on an online review, search for information from a trusted source.
Browsing the internet for different prices may help keep you on budget;
·
If you use your
smartphone or computer to shop for deals, be weary of unexpected emails, texts,
or notifications that may flood your device. Fraudulent websites will advertise
to consumers claiming bargains on a variety of brand names;
·
Save your receipts.
When shopping online, keep copies of order numbers, refund policies, shipping
costs and warranties;
·
Be mindful of
warranties. Even though it is not required by law, warranties come with the
majority of major purchases;
·
Have packages
delivered to a secure location or when someone is home. If no one is home, have
packages delivered to work or ask a neighbor if they can watch for the
delivery.
Monmouth County residents
can contact the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs, which helps protect and
serve the public through educational programs and outreach in an effort to
prevent consumer fraud and illicit business practices.
“The staff at the Division
of Consumer Affairs is always prepared to assist those who believe they have been
the victim of fraud or an unfair business practice,” said Commissioner Erik
Anderson, liaison to the Monmouth County Division of Consumer Affairs. “The
Division also provides educational programs to help combat fraud and prevent
problems before they occur. If you would like to arrange for one of our
speakers to provide a free program to your group, contact them by calling
732-431-7902.”
Information about
consumer affairs programs, complaint histories of businesses and lemon law
booklets can be found on the Monmouth County website at www.visitmonmouth.com, or requested by calling
732-431-7900 or by emailing consumeraffairs@co.monmouth.nj.us.
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