What We Can Learn from National Consumer Protection Week

Business Freedom Channel

Did you know there’s a National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) every year? In 2020, it took place during the first week in March. If you missed it, don’t sweat it. The great thing about this event — powered by the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general offices and community partner organizations — is its principles hold true year round.

As the FTC writes, “NCPW is a time to help people understand their consumer rights and make well-informed decisions about their money.”

We can all benefit from brushing up on our knowledge on topics like dealing with debt collectors, avoiding financial scams and bouncing back from identity theft.

Debt Collection: Know Your Rights

Many Americans will fall behind on a debt repayment at some point, so it’s crucial to know your rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors. If a number pops up on your screen that’s almost certainly a debt collector, what should you do?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises taking these steps:

  • Find out who you’re talking to, the name/address/phone number of the collection agency and the name of the original creditor.
  • Ask the debt collector for the amount owed, the name of the creditor and how you can dispute or verify the debt as your own.
  • Request a formal written verification of the debt before agreeing to pay.
  • Keep records of all communications you have with collectors.

It’s also important to remember debt collectors must follow certain rules when communicating. They cannot harass you, use profanity, make false threats of harm or call you early in the morning or late in the evening.

Avoiding Common Financial Scams

Another pillar of protection is avoiding common financial swindles such as:

  • IRS scams: A fraudster will impersonate an IRS representative, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening to take immediate action if you don’t pay.
  • Bank scams: A scammer will email you and ask for your login information or pretend to be a bank representative calling for your account information.
  • Investing scams: Scammers encourage unsuspecting buyers to invest in certain falsely inflated stocks or operate a “Ponzi” scheme in which they use one client’s money to pay another client rather than actually investing the funds.
  • Credit card scams: A fraudster may call and say they’re a credit card representative investigating a suspicious charge, then ask you to verify your account information.
  • Debt relief scams: Scammers try to take advantage of consumers in debt by promising to eliminate their debts “for pennies on the dollar.” Keep in mind legitimate settlement companies like Freedom Debt Relief will never ask for any payments up front until after they’ve resolved debts; scammers often illegally charge fees right off the bat.

Scams come in all shapes and sizes, which is why it’s important to thoroughly vet every offer and every communication you receive about your finances. A little due diligence up front can spare you a major headache down the line.

What to Do About Identity Theft

Nobody thinks identity theft will happen to them — until it does. In 2018, 14.4 million people became the victims of identity fraud with a median loss of $375 per case.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you’ll want to take actions like:

  • Freezing your credit
  • Placing a fraud alert on your credit reports
  • Strengthening the security on all your financial accounts
  • Filing a report with the FTC
  • Notifying the IRS
  • Monitoring your accounts for unauthorized activity

While National Consumer Protection Week is just one week per year, we can apply its core principles to protect our finances all year round.

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Keep Criminals Out of Your Home

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Do you feel safe inside your house?
If the answer is no, what are you going to do to ease those fears?
While there are different options on the table, one such possibility would be buying a gun.
Even though many people do not like the idea of such a weapon in their homes, it can provide you with a sense of security. As such, you can have a deterrent in the home should someone try and break into your house.
If you decide to buy a gun, making sure to store and use it in a safe manner is of the utmost importance.

Get Trained on Using and Storing Your Weapon

In owning a gun, it is imperative that you are as safe as possible with it. This rings especially true if you have children in the home.

Among the safety factors to take into account:

· Operating the gun – Above all else, make sure you and anyone else in your home authorized to use a gun knows how it works. From cleaning it to loading it, you want to know any and all possibilities of it firing. Always assume you have a loaded weapon when you or someone else in the home handles it.

· Storing the gun – When it comes to storing your weapon, look at the best available gun holsters. Place your weapon under lock and key, especially when there are children in the home. Accidents do occur, something that you could end up regretting for years to come. Along with holstering your gun, be sure it is in an area of the home where kids can’t access it.

· Registering the gun – It is also important to register your gun. If stolen, you want to have it registered so it will be easier to track down.

How to Lessen the Odds of an Attack

While there’s no guarantee against a break-in, you can lessen the odds.

First, don’t make you and your family targets by doing the following:

· Leaving doors and windows unlocked, thereby allowing for easier entry into the home

· Putting a spare key under a mat outside the front door or in a flower box. These are usually the first places a criminal will look to in trying to gain entry

· Announcing on social media when you will be away from the home for vacations and other matters

· Giving out personal information that can lead someone to your home

If you feel as if someone is casing your home or has followed you home on an occasion or two, be sure to alert the police.

How to React in an Emergency

Even with all the training in the world, how you will react to a break-in at your home is not easy to predict.

That said be sure to not fire your weapon and then ask questions.

You also need to be aware of where everyone else is in the home at the time of such an emergency.

The last thing you want is to know you injured or even killed a family member by firing your weapon.

By taking the proper amount of weapons training, you can lessen the chances of an accident.

With that in mind, are you doing all you can to keep criminals out of your home?

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How to Protect Your Car in Winter

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The winter months tend to wreak havoc on cars, especially the ones that sit outside in the cold temperatures. Between the below freezing temperatures, hail and ice, melting snow, and salted roads, cars are extremely vulnerable to damage during the winter.

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While there is no way to protect cars completely from the winter season, there are some preventative measures you can take to keep it protected throughout the season. Taking the time to care for your car can help it continue to run smoothly in the future years.

Cover Your Car

If possible, try to keep your car covered when it is not being used in winter. Whether that is parking it in the garage, under a carport, or using a quality car cover, keeping your car protected from the elements can not only keep it safe, but also make your morning commute easier.

Moreover, keeping your car covered will keep it from getting covered in snow, which can protect your windows and windshield. Extreme temperature changes can crack glass, which could lead to damaged windshields and windows. Additionally, in extremely wet areas where it hails frequently during winter, a car cover can shield your glass and paint from chips. While using a company like Phoenix auto glass can help repair any damages, preventative measures can help you keep your car looking beautiful all winter long.

However, if you cannot cover your car, be careful when removing snow and ice from your car. Never use warm water to remove the snow, as it can shatter windows, and be gentle with your actions when chipping ice away in order to avoid damaging your car.

Be Prepared

Before winter arrives, stock up your garage with all the necessary tools you may need, including socket wrenches, screwdrivers, good cleaners, and the right glass cleaners. If you have a problem with your car, such as a flat tire, you will be happy you have all the tools you need right in your garage.

Car Maintenance

Take some time to take preventative measures such as washing your car before the first snowstorm comes. Bugs and other debris can actually freeze onto your car, making them exceedingly difficult to remove.

Do not forget about keeping the inside of your engine clean as well. Gravel, dirt, and other outdoor elements can get stuck in the crevices, which can prevent water from draining out of your car properly. If water is stuck anywhere in the car, during freezing temperatures, it can freeze inside of the car. This can lead to the car not running properly, to mildew growing inside, and even rust.

Wash Your Car

Many people do not think about washing their car during winter, as the weather often prevents it. Additionally, many think the snow and rain naturally wash their car. However, the outdoor elements have minerals in them that can damage the paint of your car. Plus, the salt used on roads can damage the underside of your car, as well as the tires, and washing your car in winter can help remove those road salts away.

Antifreeze

If the antifreeze in your car is old, it can lose its effectiveness. If it is not doing its job properly, you may notice some trouble with the way your engine runs in winter. While engine trouble is more common in winter than other seasons, by using antifreeze properly, it should help keep your engine from seizing.

Oil

Cars work harder during winter, which can mean that your oil might need to be changed more frequently. Most people follow the mileage rule or wait until their car alerts them that it is time for an oil change. In winter, however, the rules are slightly different. Keep an eye on your oil, especially in extreme weather, and make sure it is clean in order to keep your car running at optimal performance.

Floor Mats

Due to the wet grounds, your shoes can damage the interior of your car if you are not using the right floor mats. Look to use rubber floor mats that can withstand mud, rain, and snow, otherwise, your car might start to mildew on the interior.

Following these tips can help your stay protected and you driving safely during the winter months.

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