PROTECT YOURSELF

 

Consumers have an obligation and responsibility to deal fairly and honestly with merchants they agree to purchase goods and services from regardless of the method of that agreement.  The Federal Trade Commission says telephone merchants have properly authorized a transaction if the telephone merchant clearly states what you are purchasing, how much it is and to whom the transaction on your account will be payable.  SNJ works with merchants who clearly understand and follow all of the laws and regulations of the United States.

 

For example if you have a draft that states “Voice recorded authorization available upon request”  this means that the merchant has a clear recording of the conversation and authorization of the purchase.  They have recorded all of the information required to debit the bank account provided during the conversation.  The merchant will provide a copy of that voice recording the the consumer, bank or an authority who might request it.

 

In addition, all of the merchants SNJ does business with understands that from time to time you may agree to purchase something and later change your mind.  Your best resolution is to call and get a refund.  If you call and request a refund you will find the merchants to be more than reasonable.  However if you claim a transaction is fraud when the merchant has your recorded voice authorization on file you may find yourself in a situation of defending an act of perjury which is a crime.

 

The following 10 Consumer Fraud Protection Tips are condensed and direct from the Federal Trade Commission website:

1-Keep in mind that wiring money is like sending cash:the sender had no protections against loss, con artists often insist that people wire money, especially overseas

2-Don’t wire money to someone you don’t know

3-Don’t respond to unsolicited messages that asks for your personal or financial information

4-Don’t play a foreign lottery

5-Don’t agree to deposit a check from someone you don’t know then wire the money back to them

6-Read your bills and monthly statements regularly- on paper and online

7- In the wake of a natural disaster or another crisis, give to established charities rather than one that seems to have sprung up overnight

8-Talk to your doctor before buying health products or signing up for medical treatments

9-Remember there is no such thing as a sure thing, and if something appears to good to be true it probably is

10-Know where an offer comes from and who you are dealing with.  Try to locate physical address information, do an internet search, check them out with the Better Business Bureau, bbb.org

If you are looking for tips on how to avoid internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information visit onguardonline.gov