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• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 2/24/2009 6:57 PM UTC

  Consumer Advocacy with Harold Cameron
  

  Today's show was a joy to host. I had a couple of callers today who had some consumer related questions. Among the topics discussed were:
  
  (1). Acai Perry or weight loss product scams where companies are scamming people by offering them a trial of the Acai Berry Products for $3.95 S & H or whatever. Once the consumer "opts in" they are signed up as members to their program or programs and unless they call and cancel the membership within 14 days, the consumer gets their credit card or debit card charged. And, to try and cancel the service is such a hassle for the consumer...long wait times on the phone, constant busy signals. This scam has become a nightmare for so many consumers. First, report the fraudulent charges to your financial institution or credit card company. Then, report the companies to your state Attorney General as well as the Attorney General's office in the state where the company is located. Also report any such fraudulent activities on the part of these companies to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Contact the FTC at (877) 382-4357. If you need the name and information for the AG office to contact please email me at harold@bepositiveday.com and I will send you the appropriate Attorney General's office intormation.
  
  (2).  "FREE" travel promotions offered by radio stations. Many of these promotions are time-share of vacation package offers and there are fees involved. Again, consumers are having problems with these types of companies booking their travel packages, or if they want to cancel it is very difficult to do so...constant busy signals or long wait times on the phone for consumers. If you have been scammed by one of these types of companies contact your financial institution or credit card company to get the charges reversed as well as the Attorney General in your state and the state where the company is located. All Star Vacation Marketng Group is located in Florida. If you need more information or assistance email me at harold@bepositiveday.com and I will help you.
  
  (3). Nigerian email scam letters or any such emails. Do not respond to them. There is nothing for free. These offers are scams and are an attempt to defraud your or steal your identity.
  
  (4). Pop ups warning you that your computer has been infected with spyware or a virus. Avoid them. Again, they are scams. Delete the pop-up or do not respond to the email offering you the Antivirus protection. Many of the emails originate from Panama. Do not respond to these types of emails or you will be scammed.
  
  (5) Contact the White House and ask our president to put some type of moratorium on home foreclosures as well as on people who are being evicted from their apartments so that people have a chance to make some type of arrangements to keep their homes or apartments. The link for the contact information for the White House is:
  http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.
  
  (6). Consumer Resources for 1st time home buyers: (Links)
  http://www.hud.gov/buying/comq.cfm (HUD)
  http://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homebuyer/information/tentips.htm
  http://www.realtor.org/library/library/fg209
  
  If you have any consumer related complaints, questions or concerns please contact me at:
  Harold Cameron
  Chief of Helping People
  HaroldSays
  Phone (570) 341-6796
  Email: harold@bepositiveday.com
  www.haroldsays.typepad.com
  
  • Tags:
  • Consumer
  • Advocacy
  • Foreclosures
  • Scams
  • Internet
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