Avoiding Online Consumer Fraud
The
Internet has allowed more instances of consumer fraud to develop, but an attorney
with the Federal Trade Commission Marianne Schwanke, has provided tips to
avoid some of the most common Internet consumer fraud scams:
1.
Internet Auctions- If bidding on Internet auctions it is a good
idea to get as much information about the seller as possible and pay with
a credit card or escrow service.
2.
Internet Access Services- When an Internet access service claims
that they can offer free or very cheap access to the Web make sure to carefully
read the conditions to which you are agreeing if you use the service. If you
do choose the Internet access service, make sure to review your statements
and bills to question any unauthorized charges.
3.
Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft- Do not give out any more
information than is necessary and only give credit card information to reputable
and trustworthy companies. Any unauthorized charges should be questioned and
disputed.
4.
Investments- Make sure your Online investments are safe by speaking
to other people that have invested through that company. Do your homework
by checking with the promoter with state and federal securities and commodities
regulators.
5.
Pyramid Schemes- Marketing programs that claim they can
deliver you large profits do not work if the products and/or services are
only sold to distributors and not to consumers. Be wary of any plan that involves
recruiting distributors, committing to a minimum sales volume, or buying expensive
inventory.
6.
Health Care Products and Services- A product or service that claims
to be a solution to curing a wide range of ailments is probably too good to
be true. Consult with a health care professional before purchasing a likely
hoax.
7.
Travel and Vacation- Do not sign with a travel and vacation company
without first getting references, details of the trip, and the cancellation
policy.
8.
Business Opportunities- Have a fraud
attorney or accountant look at a proposed contract before signing onto
a business opportunity.
Get everything in writing and talk to other people that have also taken part
in the business opportunities through the same company.
-From CBS News, August 16, 2001
CONTACT A FRAUD LAWYER
IN YOUR STATE
Alabama • Alaska •
Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut
Delaware • D.C. • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii •
Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa Kansas • Kentucky
Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan
Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska
• Nevada • New Hampshire• New Jersey • New Mexico •
New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio Oklahoma
• Oregon • Pennsylvania • Puerto Rico • Rhode Island
• South Carolina South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas •
Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington West Virginia •
Wisconsin • Wyoming
WHAT IS CONSUMER FRAUD?
Consumer Fraud is inclusive of a large
range of improper practices including any part of the advertising, the marketing,
the selling, and the provision of services and/or goods.
Contact
us to speak with a consumer fraud lawyer if you think that you have been
the victim of fraudulent activity.
Speak With a Fraud Lawyer
We have provided
contact information for
those wishing to speak with a fraud lawyer. Our fraud lawyers have been very
successful in representing and handling clients who have been the victims
of consumer fraud.
What is a Consumer Fraud Class Action?
A class action lawsuit occurs when one or more parties file a complaint on
behalf of themselves and all other people who are similarly situated, or suffering
from the same problem. This can include situations such as consumer fraud,
including:
•
credit card fraud
•
insurance fraud
• credit fraud
• healthcare fraud
• health insurance fraud
• business fraud
Class actions are prosecuted on a contingent fee basis. Your
consumer
fraud attorneys advance all costs of the action, and attorney fees are
paid from the recovery, or by the defendants.
FRAUD NEWS
TIPS TO AVOID FRAUD
General Tips To Avoid Consumer Fraud
• Claims that appear too good to be true are probably just that.
Any proposal regarding earnings and performance potentials should be put into
writing and be carefully reviewed prior to signing any type of contract.
• A privacy policy should be present, if there
is not one or one that is incomprehensible it may not be a worthwhile business
opportunity.
• Check with a consumer protection office or state
attorney general before moving forward with a company. If general information
including the company's name, address, and telephone number is not readily
available it may indicate a fraudulent situation.
• A Web site that has a professional appearance
is not necessarily a reputable company. The government put out a professional,
fictitious business online to teach consumers of the dangers of online consumer
fraud.
Quick Tips In Avoiding Credit Card
Traps
• Credit card companies can make it very difficult for some
consumers to avoid paying large fees by concealing important credit card
clauses by using tiny print, increasing rates without the consumer realizing,
and charging large fees. If applying for a new credit card there are certain
things to look for before deciding if that card will end up creating debt
instead of helping.
•
Some credit cards not only charge just to apply for the card,
but charge for an acceptance fee if accepted, followed by a charge for the
annual fee and for a monthly participation fee.
• Many credit cards will have a very low credit limit when first
approving consumers, resulting in a high number of charges for a card with
a miniscule credit line.
