It's National Consumer Protection Week. At Let Joe Know, we call it -- just another week.
Regardless, it's a good time to focus on making good money decisions.
To that end, here are the top five reasons we see people needing our help:
1) Hiring without researching: You have no excuse. Run a simple Google search for business reviews, lawsuits and state actions. A license check should also be mandatory.
2) Paying upfront/paying with cash: Pay a lot before work is done, the cheaters are going to run. And if you pay with cash, it's your money. Use credit -- it's the bank's money and they have an incentive to get it back.
3) Acting too quickly: If someone is talking to you about a deal, step back and say you want to talk with family or friends and if they tell you no, its a huge red flag.
4) Accepting verbal promises: if it's not written, it doesn't count. Never pay until you have a signed copy of all agreements with specifics and dollar amounts.
5) Answering phones/ clicking links: Don't do it. There are too many scams. Let calls go to voicemail. Don't click on links. If you are a customer and concerned, contact the business another way.
On Tuesday night, you can talk to the state Attorney General's office about your consumer problem.
They will be in the ABC15 studios Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. taking your calls.
