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Consumer Protection: Advice from The Bucks County Consumer Advocates

November 2007

Q.  Recently a friend of mine with children told me about a potential problem.  She said that Google has a feature which enables you to type a telephone number in the search bar and hit enter.  You will be given the name and address of the number plus you have the ability to MAP, which of course gives directions to a person’s home.  I thought with so many children on the Internet and in chat rooms, some may give their number by mistake and inadvertently provide too much information.  Can you please share this with your readers?  C.H., Newtown

A.   There are numerous sites that act as national reverse telephone books.  The technology and Internet move rapidly and as such, parents and non-parents need to be aware of the pitfalls.  As for the safety issues they are obvious and alarming to many.  We went to www.google.com and in the search box entered several friends and family members and several phone numbers were found.  The search produced Phonebook results for XXX-XXX-XXXX and listed a name and address, zip code and then the word Map right next to it.  We hit map and wow, there they were! The map allows you to use the technology to zoom in or out.  It was scary, and we felt like there was entirely too much information available. If you follow the same steps and your number comes up with Phonebook results just click on the Phonebook results and it will take you to a page that asks if you would like to be removed from the list.  Click on that line and it will take you to their opt-out page. They do explain that there are still several other types of search engines that will still list your information but that Google will remove your information by filling out a simple request form.  Many other search engines have a “help” or “frequently asked questions” section on how to contact them to remove your information from their listings also.  If you have an unlisted phone number or cell phone number you should not appear in any directory.  Some additional advice for those that have unlisted phone numbers:  when you fill out forms that require your number, tell them it is unlisted and if you give it to them, what is their written policy on protecting your privacy.  We strongly recommend checking out an excellent website for privacy.  The website is www.consumerprivacyguide.org and it has great information on all your privacy rights, including the Internet.

Holiday Shopping Tips

Well it’s that time of year again, and Bucks County Consumer Protection would like to remind you of some tips to make your holiday shopping a good experience.  Whether you are shopping in a store, by catalog, or over the computer remember that stores may have their own return policy.  Some stores could have “all sales are final” others may only give a store credit.  Some stores will give refunds, credits, exchanges, or return deposits.  Consumers should trade with the stores which give the desired privileges.  Also note that stores are not required to post signs regarding their return policy. 

Consumers who like the convenience of shopping by mail should be aware of the Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, which covers merchandise you order by mail, telephone, computer or fax.  This requires companies to have a reasonable basis for claiming they can ship an order within a certain period of time.  By law, a company should ship your order within the time stated in its ads.  If no time is promised, the company should ship your order within 30 days.  The 30 day “clock” begins when the company receives a completed order and has also received the payment.  So make sure the delivery time will fit in with the timeframe that you need the product. 

Be careful if you are buying gift certificates.  They can be a convenient gift, but if the business closes its doors, the gift certificate is no good.  When buying a gift certificate, make sure it is for a business that has a good chance of staying open, like chain stores, malls or bank gift cards.  If you are the one to receive a gift certificate don’t wait too long to enjoy it.

Before you purchase, know who you’re dealing with.  If you have doubts about a company, contact your state or local consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau where the company is located to check their history.  Ask your friends if they have heard of the business.  Keep a record of the companies you deal with over the phone.  Include names, addresses, telephone numbers, and any payments made, including any credit card information given.  Ask about additional fees for shipping and handling, state sales tax, insurance or re-stocking.  And of course with any shopping that you do, remember to keep the receipts.

Q. I was recently at a senior expo that a local assemblyman put together.  I saw numerous tables that had some government agencies represented, along with private vendors offering a number of services for seniors.  It was also a great way to meet my state representative and let him know my overall concerns. 

My reason for writing is that the Consumer Protection table had a great guide for senior citizens.  The representative also introduced me to a free monthly fraud alert that is sent to individuals and to organizations like churches, civic groups and even community associations.  I was hoping you could explain in more detail what everything is about and help educate more of our seniors.  K.W., Jamison

A. The guide that you are speaking of is called “Avoiding Elder Abuse and Fraud”.  Our hope is to create an awareness of the many ways people are scammed.  The guide covers a good portion of potential problems that everyone including seniors may get involved with.  It also may help loved ones to identify the many different forms of abuse.  Financial, emotional, physical abuse and neglect are some of the most dangerous and serious.  Our office is partnered with the Bucks County District Attorney, Area Agency on Aging, Coroner’s Office, Recorder of Deeds and Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA).  The partnership is called The Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force.  The task force is constantly training professional organizations to identify abuse.  The task force is also available to speak to community groups at no cost about the issues stated above.  To set up a speaking engagement or to learn more about the mission of the task force, e mail us at olderadultstaskforce@novabucks.org or contact Nicole Armani at 215-343-6543, extension 105.

The free monthly fraud alerts are a small part of getting particular information out into the hands of individuals and groups who will email them to their individual members.  We have churches, community centers, senior centers and various other organizations that have signed up for the alerts and have agreed to forward the alerts to all their members.  Individuals can also receive the alerts.  If email is an issue then the alerts can be mailed but it is more efficient for them to be sent via email.  If you or your organization would like to receive the current alerts or any previous alerts please go to the website at www.crimesagainstolderadultsbucks.org or to sign up for the free fraud alerts call 215-343-6543. The website is a very useful tool and contains valuable information for everyone.  Remember you can help stop elder abuse.  Silence is not golden.  If you suspect elder abuse, please call the 24 Hour Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-490-8505.  To receive a free copy of the “Avoiding Elder Abuse and Fraud” booklet, call the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection at 1-800-942-2669.

Q. My wife sent away for a supplement that she saw in a magazine.  This supplement was supposed to stop osteoporosis.  She received the supplement in the mail and we both thought they looked like candy.  She figured since she had them she would give them a try.  But when she took them she started getting indigestion.  She went to her doctor about the indigestion and they both figured out that it was probably the supplements.  She called and canceled the monthly order of supplements following the directions the company gave, but our credit card is still being billed.  The credit card company helped us by freezing our account, but boxes of supplements are still coming to our door.  Can you help us?  D.B., Doylestown

A.  Consumer Protection contacted the company and they will credit you for any unopened boxes of supplements that you send back, plus they have taken you off the mailing list so you shouldn’t receive any more shipments.  There are a lot of miracle drugs that promise quick cures and easy solutions to many different problems concerning your health.   Consumers who fall for fraudulent “cure all” products usually don’t find better health, but they do find they have been taken.  Consumers end up wasting their money and a lot of their time trying to return these “miracle” products.  Some products may even cause serious harm.  To avoid becoming a victim of health fraud, consumers need to learn how to access health claims and seek the advice of a health care professional.  When evaluating health-related claims of these miracle products that are going to “cure all”, be skeptical.  If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.       

Department of Consumer Protection /
Weights and Measures
Michael D. Bannon
Director
50 North Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 215-348-7442
Fax: 215-348-4570
Canny Consumer Hotline 1-800-942-2669