Learn what consumer awareness really is, how to shop smart and how to file complaint if, unfortunately, you have been caught in a scam or are unhappy with a purchase.

1. Making money sensetips and ideas to help your family prosper Consumer Awareness 1

2. WHAT IS IT? Being aware of your rights as a consumer Educating yourself on the products or services you are about to buy Educating yourself on the scams that consumers face today 2

3. COMPARATIVE SHOPPING Wise consumer buying starts with a plan. People who use a systematic purchasing strategy will make more effective purchases Some comparative shopping techniques a person should carefully consider when purchasing a product/service are: Price Features Benefits Warranty Store Policies 3

4. COMPARATIVE SHOPPING CHART 4

5. EXAMPLES OF CONSUMER SCAMS Foreign scams Telemarketing scams Credit repair Automatic debit scams Fraudulent diet scams Magazine subscription scams Toll-free scams International phone scams Online scams 5

6. HOW TO HANDLE A CONSUMER PROBLEM Collect records File a complaint with the seller Call or write the person responsible for consumer complaints at the company’s headquarters What to write: Your name, address and account number, if appropriate Describe your purchase (name of product, serial number, date and location of purchase) State of problem and give history Ask for specific action Enclose copies of documents regarding your problem Allow time for action or response Include how you can be reached 6

7. HOW TO HANDLE A CONSUMER PROBLEM – CONT. Contact an industry dispute program, the Better Business Bureau Contact a Federal agency File a claim in small-claims court or hire a private lawyer 7 Source: www.practicalmoneyskills.com

8. CONSUMER INFORMATION AND HELP Helpful websites for Consumer Awareness Better Business Bureau – www.bbb.com Brand, Price and Feature Comparison – www.pricescan.com Consumer Reports – www.consumerreports.org Consumer World – www.consumerworld.org Government Information Sources – www.consumer.gov, www.pueblo.gsa.gov, www.ftc.gov National Fraud Information Center – www.fraud.org The Consumer Law Page – www.consumerlawpage.com 8

9. For more information: 920.882.4800 www.myprospera.com For more great financial tips and news follow us on Twitter and facebook! http://twitter.com/MyProspera http://facebook.com/ 9 Source: www.practicalmoneyskills.com