TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida attorney general has released a 2018 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide to assist shoppers.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the guide is packed with advice for making secure purchases online and tips on avoiding identity theft and charity scams.
"The guide also includes safety information about toys and recalled items to better prepare shoppers to make wise purchases this holiday season," she said.
The guide identifies some of the latest recalled products such as baby items, furniture, household products, sporting goods and toys that pose a risk to children. The items are among the nearly 300 products recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission within the past year.
The guide also includes several state and national resources identifying more specific recall items.
Tips in the 2018 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide include:
- Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online. Both payment methods allow consumers to dispute a charge if the merchandise never arrives or is different from what was ordered. However, with a debit card, the purchase is already deducted from a bank account and it may take days or weeks for the bank to reverse the charge;
- Ensure that a web browser is secure before submitting payment information. To identify a secure browser, look for a padlock symbol in the address bar; and
- Keep receipts and be sure to understand retailers’ return policies and periods, so consumers can return any unwanted items for a full refund.
To view the 2018 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide, click here.
If consumers have questions about making secure holiday shopping purchases or believe to be the victim of a scam, call the Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visit MyFloridaLegal.com.
