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Holiday Safety, Shopping and Charitable Giving Tips

November 27, 2005

• Consumers Playing Rebate Roulette This Holiday Season • Beware of Zero Percent Financing • Survey Finds Consumers Wary about Holiday Returns • NYC Fines Retailers for Return & Restocking Fee Violations • Retailers Urged to Curb Violent Video Games • Smart, Careful Shopping Will Help Keep the Season Bright • Video Game Industry Gets a D+ • Negative Option Scams May Snag Online Holiday Shoppers • Black Friday Gives Wal-Mart a Black Eye • Retailers' Return Policies Getting Tougher • Watch Out for Hidden Toy Hazards • Safety, Shopping, Charitable Giving Tips • Nordstrom, Wal-Mart, L.L. Bean Top Customer Service Rankings • Consumer Reports Holiday Guide • The Gift That Keeps On Taking • Tis the Season to Avoid Identity Theft • Beware of Payday Loans • Best of All: Giving Without Shopping

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has released a list of guidelines and tips for consumers to follow to protect themselves, their homes and to avoid becoming a victim of fraud this holiday season.

"In the rush to buy gifts, decorate and prepare for the season, many consumers make hasty decisions that can be regretful or costly. I encourage consumers to take note of some of the common scams and financial pitfalls that are sometimes synonymous with the season," Corbett said.

Shopping Tips

• Set a budget and make a list of items to be purchased to control impulse buying.

• Use credit cards wisely and don't charge more than you can afford.

• Do not carry numerous credit cards or your Social Security card in your wallet or purse while shopping.

• Before making a purchase, be aware of the merchants' exchange or return policy. Retailers are permitted to make their own store policy regarding returns. Unless the product is defective, you do not have the right to return an item that you may no longer want.

• Compare prices at several stores to find the best bargains or discounts.

• Beware of "bait and switch" advertising tactics used to lure you into a store for a particular item when that item may not be available.

• When purchasing gift certificates, find out the time limits for use and make sure those limits are noted on the certificates.

• Be careful making purchases at unfamiliar kiosks and stands. In many cases, seasonal businesses will not be around for returns or repairs.

• Be aware of the delivery times, delivery costs and return policy for items purchased from catalogs, television shopping networks or the Internet.

• Check your receipt before leaving the store to correct possible cashier mistakes and keep all records and receipts.

• Follow age appropriate labels on toys or other items intended for children.

Decorating Safety Tips

• Live trees that are dropping needles or have brittle branches are too dry and could pose a fire hazard.

• Purchase tree lights that have been checked for safety. Look for laboratory-tested labels such as Underwriters' Laboratories or ETL Testing Laboratory.

• Check indoor and outdoor tree lights for frayed wires, loose connections, broken or cracked sockets and spots where bare wire is exposed.

• Remove outdoor lights as soon as the season is over; even these products are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements.

• Keep small ornaments, fire salts, or traditional holiday decorations such as holly berries away from children or pets.

• Never use the fireplace as an incinerator to discard trees, boxes or other debris.

Charitable Giving Tips

• Donate to charities that you are familiar with or that are willing to provide additional information upon request.

• Find out how much of your donation will help the cause as opposed to covering fund raising and administrative expenses.

• Never feel pressured into making a donation.

• Always check with the local school, public safety, veterans or law enforcement groups that solicit donations in person or over the telephone. Many scam artists claim to be representing these groups to gain credibility.

• Know the difference between "tax exempt" and "tax deductible" when making a contribution.

• Watch out for similar sounding names. Phony non-profits use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations.

• Beware of non-profits offering to send a courier to collect your donation immediately.

• Ask door-to-door solicitors to show you their identification or credentials.

• Never pay cash or use a credit card as payment for a charity you are unsure of. Checks should be written out to the charity not the company or individual collecting the donation.

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