Consumers lose thousands of dollars each year due to common
misperceptions. The Better Business Bureau wants you to know the facts.
Here are some popular assumptions:
MYTH: You have the right to cancel any purchase within three days.
FACT: Contrary to popular belief, the three-day Cooling-off Rule
(right to cancel) applies to only a limited number of cash or credit
transactions of $25 or more. The Rule applies to door-to-door sales or
other places other than at the company's regular place of business.
Purchases of automobiles and other vehicles are not usually covered.
MYTH: You have the right to a store refund if you request one.
FACT: Unless the product is defective or was misrepresented, a
refund or exchange is a privilege and not a right that you can demand.
Ask about the merchant's policy before you purchase the product. In
some states, refunds and exchanges are voluntarily provided by retail
stores.
MYTH: You are guaranteed to win a fabulous prize when you receive an "Awards Notification" in the mail.
FACT: Phony prize or sweepstakes promotions cost consumers
millions of dollars each year. If the prize promoter demands that you
pay up-front to cover entry or judging fees, as a donation, to pre-pay
taxes, or via a call to a 900 number, do not respond! Call your Better
Business Bureau.
MYTH: Almost all of the money contributed to charity must go to the intended purpose.
FACT: Charitable organizations are not obligated to spend a
minimum percentage of what they raise on their stated charitable
purposes. Donors should ask if the caller is a paid solicitor or a
volunteer for the charity, and request written materials stating what
percentage of the donation would actually go to the organization's
program.
MYTH: It is okay to give out your credit card number over the phone even when you are not making a purchase.
FACT: Never use your credit card for identification purposes in
response to a phone solicitor. Con artists with access to your credit
card number and expiration date may make unauthorized charges against
your card. Do use your credit card to purchase merchandise from an
established business, as it offers protection you if you have
difficulty receiving your product or service.
MYTH: Purchasing magazines will improve your chances of winning a publisher sweepstakes.
FACT: Entrants who do not purchase magazines must be given the
same chance of winning as those who do make purchases. It is illegal in
most states for any type of sweepstakes promotion to require any kind
of purchase or payment to enter.
MYTH: No one can take money directly from your bank accounts without your written authorization.
FACT: Giving someone your checking account number may provide
them with the means to make withdrawals from your account. Unscrupulous
individuals can sometimes contact your bank with your account number,
claim that you authorized a withdrawal, and convince the bank to make
the payment even though it lacks your signature.
