Did you know that if you have an eye exam or a fitting for contact lenses, the eye doctor must give you a copy of your prescription—without you having to ask for it—free of charge? It’s your right—and it’s enforced by the Federal Trade Commission via the Eyeglass Rule and…
consumer protection
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Getting rid of a timeshare isn’t easy, and, unfortunately, some cons are taking advantage of that predicament. Timeshare scams have been operating for some time; the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) began warning consumers about this type of fraud back in 2012 and updated their warning in 2013. Although…
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Online dating can be complicated. It entails sifting through loads of profiles, getting a dialogue going, deciding if you want to meet, going on a date, and eventually figuring out if you’re actually compatible. Now to make the process even trickier, you also need to take precautions against online dating…
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Like many “deals” that sound too good to be true, the same goes for most online prescriptions. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), fake online pharmacies not only steal your money, but can cost you your personal and financial information, health, or even your life. Your financial…
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They are out there, and they may be knocking on your door soon. During this time of year there is usually an upswing in alarm companies sending out their employees to canvass neighborhoods, trying to sell alarm systems. While selling alarm systems door-to-door is legal if required permits and licenses…
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Many people don’t realize this, but maintaining your air conditioning system is important to help avoid costly repairs or breakdowns at times when it matters the most, like when the temperature is in triple digits outside. Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system inefficiency and…
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Proper salon cleaning procedures are essential to avoid serious diseases A pedicure can be a great way to pamper yourself, but did you ever think you could get a life-threatening infection from one? It’s possible if the salon isn’t using proper cleaning and disinfection techniques. Lurking in the depths of…
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For safety’s sake, DCA’s Auto Body Inspection Program will find out After you’ve had some types of repair work done on your car, it’s pretty hard for the untrained eye to see if it was all done right, isn’t it? Well, if you’re a California consumer, you can get some…
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Just because National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) has ended doesn’t mean you aren’t protected. As #NCPW2017 wraps up, DCA wants to remind consumers that our resources and programs are available any time of year. This past week, we’ve shared details on many of them. An informed consumer is a protected consumer: consider yourself empowered! Learn more…
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National Consumer Protection Week spotlights free resources, programs to help consumers Consumers: Do you feel empowered? You will after this week! The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is proud to be a partner during the 19th annual National Consumer Protection Week (#NCPW2017), a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take…