Commissioners offer tips to residents ahead of the 2024 holiday shopping season

For Immediate Release:
December 3, 2024

Commissioners offer tips to residents
ahead of the 2024 holiday shopping season

FREEHOLD, NJ - The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is reminding residents to protect their personal information while purchasing gifts this holiday season.

"According to the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. residents lost over $10 billion to scams in 2023," said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. "While the holiday season is a joyful time of year, scammers and criminals see it as an opportunity to steal your personal information for nefarious use."

When shopping, consider the following tips to help protect yourself from scams:

· In stores, make sure the scanned prices for your purchases are correct. Overcharges cost time and money, especially when they are not noticed immediately;

· Before buying anything based on an online review, search for information from a trusted source. Browsing the internet for different prices may help keep you on budget;

· If you use your smartphone or computer to shop for deals, be weary of unexpected emails, texts, or notifications that may flood your device. Fraudulent websites will advertise to consumers claiming bargains on a variety of brand names;

· Save your receipts. When shopping online, keep copies of order numbers, refund policies, shipping costs and warranties;

· Be mindful of warranties. Even though it is not required by law, warranties come with the majority of major purchases;

· Have packages delivered to a secure location or when someone is home. If no one is home, have packages delivered to work or ask a neighbor if they can watch for the delivery.

Monmouth County residents can contact the County's Division of Consumer Affairs, which helps protect and serve the public through educational programs and outreach in an effort to prevent consumer fraud and illicit business practices.

"The staff at the Division of Consumer Affairs is always prepared to assist those who believe they have been the victim of fraud or an unfair business practice," said Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Monmouth County Division of Consumer Affairs. "The Division also provides educational programs to help combat fraud and prevent problems before they occur. If you would like to arrange for one of our speakers to provide a free program to your group, contact them by calling 732-431-7902."

Information about consumer affairs programs, complaint histories of businesses and lemon law booklets can be found on the Monmouth County website at www.visitmonmouth.com, or requested by calling 732-431-7900 or by emailing [email protected].

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