Identity theft, internet safety, consumer fraud and scams have all become serious concerns for many across California. In recent years, reports of concerns with these issues have become more prevalent. These topics are now of such concern that an entire week has been set aside to address these concerns and make the public more aware of how to combat them. According to the Better Business Bureau, National Consumer Protection Week has been established as a means of informing the public.
Identity theft is an area of primary concern. Perhaps one of the best ways to combat this issue is by checking one’s credit report. There are currently three credit reporting agencies. Each of these agencies is required to provide a free credit report each year. The Better Business Bureau recommends that an individual keep tabs on their credit report by checking one of these reports approximately every four months.
Most of time, these reports are accessed using the internet. Rather than using a search engine to find the link, it is recommended that the web address be typed in directly. This will help to prevent a similar yet fraudulent site from being accessed. Furthermore, since sensitive data such as one’s social security number and address will be entered, one wants to make sure that a secure WiFi connection is used.
Consumer protection issues have already affected many California residents. It seems as if those wishing to prey upon the public are constantly developing new ways in which to do so. Sometimes, the victim of these consumer protection issues is able to handle the matter alone; however, many find the experience and guidance provided by legal counsel to be invaluable in combating these issues.
Source: kivitv.com, “BBB: It’s National Consumer Protection Week“, March 6, 2017