Right Column
December 2007 – Holiday Scams, Holiday Fire Safety, ID Theft / Online Shopping, Winter Driving Tips
Each month, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) identifies general themes which coincide with the scope and vision of the Department's boards and bureaus. You can view a full listing of events that the DCA will be attending, many of which correspond with the theme of the month, on our Outreach Events Calendar.
Holiday Scams
The holiday season can be a hectic and exciting time for consumers. Unfortunately, the vast increase in purchasing will inevitably lead to an increase in scams, robbery, and identity theft. The sad reality is that scammers and thieves use the chaos of the holiday season to prey on consumers.
While shoppers are enjoying this year's hustle and bustle, they should also remember to stay alert in order to avoid becoming one of the estimated one million Californians who experience identity theft each year. By using these preventative tips from the California Office of Privacy Protection, consumers can safeguard themselves and their loved ones.
Looking to simplify your holiday shopping? Gift cards offer many advantages to consumers, but there are often expiration dates and hidden fees in the fine print. Click here to learn more about smart gift card shopping.
This is the season of giving, and there are many worthy charities which deserve donations of time or money. Sadly, bogus holiday charity scams can make consumers wary of donating. Check with the California Attorney General's Web site to verify that a charity is registered and valid. For tips on how to make sure your charitable donation is really going to charity, click here.
The DCA wishes all consumers a happy and safe holiday!
Holiday Fire Safety
With everything that is on your mind around the Holidays, the last thing you may be thinking about is fire safety. The combination of Christmas lights, candles, and dry Christmas trees can quickly turn into a tragic situation. You can protect your family by following some simple tips from the DCA on holiday fire safety.
The Christmas tree is a staple of the holiday season. It's important to remember though, that a dry Christmas trees can serve as one big piece of kindling, and can become a major fire hazard. Tap your tree when you buy it; if it is already dropping needles, find a fresher one. Place the tree in at least a gallon of water, and check the level daily. Always keep your tree away from open flames, and make sure that you remove it from your residence once it starts drying out and dropping needles. Click here for more Christmas tree safety tips from the CDF.
ID Theft / Online Shopping
Holiday shopping can be a scary prospect. No one enjoys doing laps in the mall parking lot, or jostling through the claustrophobia-inducing department stores. It's no wonder that more and more consumers are turning to the internet to do their holiday shopping from the comfort of their own homes. Online shopping comes with its own set of worries though. By following some simple safety tips you can minimize your chances of becoming a victim of Identity theft when you shop online.
Identity theft is defined as taking someone else's personal information and using it for an unlawful purpose. It is a serious criminal offence with serious consequences. It's also one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Over 8,000,000 U.S. residents were victims of identity theft in 2006. That represents about 4% of adults, including more than a million Californians. Click here for the Office of Privacy Protections top 10 Tips for Identity Theft Protection
When shopping online, you should check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Make sure there is a reasonable privacy policy posted, and read it carefully. You can tell if a website is secure by ensuring that the address includes "http", and also look for the padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled.
COPP offers valuable resources to people who have already fallen victim to identity theft, and are in the process of trying to repair the damage. The Identity Theft Victim Check List outlines the actions victims should take to limit the damage done by the thief. How to "Freeze" Your Credit Files is an important document if you suspect you've been victimized. Click here for a full listing of other resources for victims.
Winter Driving Tips
The winter months can be hazardous to your cars health. Slick roads and below-freezing temperatures combined with Californians' propensity to travel long distances during the holidays, can lead to some dangerous situations. The Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) advises motorists that the best way to reduce the likelihood of accidents or breakdowns is to properly winterize their vehicles.
The Bureau of Automotive Repair Web site hosts a plethora of great information for motorists getting ready to brave the winter roads. When a consumer is planning on traveling to the mountains, perhaps to enjoy some winter sports, it is always a good idea to bring a winter safety kit. A winter safety kit should include: jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable food, a battery powered radio, an ice scraper, and some road flares. Click here to see more tips on how to keep your car running, and your family safe during the holidays.
During the winter season, it is not uncommon to encounter chain control areas in the mountain regions of California. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has some useful consumer information on the various chain requirements you may run into. For a listing of chain requirements, and a definition of the different snow tires and chains available, click this link. This illustration shows the proper placement for chains on cars, trucks, and trailers. Click here for a full list of frequently asked questions on tire traction devices and driving in the snow.
Caltrans is also the state agency responsible for snow removal and road closures in California. To check for possible mountain pass closures, you should call the Caltrans Highway Information Network at (800) 427.7623. To view Caltrans official policy on snow and ice removal from state highways, click here.
The California Department of Water Resources monitors snow fall and weather conditions throughout the state, updating their Web site with sensor information. Check it regularly throughout the season for real-time snow conditions.
