Service NL
December 4, 2014

Consumer Awareness Protects Families and Communities

Minister Shares Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping

During the holiday season, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can take a number of measures to protect themselves as they complete their holiday shopping and determine the charities they may wish to support. It is important for consumers to be attentive to a retailer’s return policy and to be cautious about sharing personal information when shopping online and making charitable donations.

“Our government aims to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians make informed shopping decisions for the well-being of their families. Holiday shopping should be a positive experience. The first thing to keep in mind is to always protect against fraud especially when shopping online and stay informed about retailers’ return policies. Secondly, when making charitable donations, individuals should contact a charity directly especially if there is any suspicion of fraudulent donor solicitation.”
- The Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Service NL

All retailers have their own return policies that can differ from their regular return policies due to the holiday season. It is important for consumers to become familiar with store policies to avoid potential confusion and financial inconvenience. Shoppers should look for any store signage related to return policies and clarify the details of the retailer’s policies when making their purchase.

With the increased instances of online shopping, consumers are encouraged to exercise diligence when shopping online. It is important to verify the exchange of personal information, including credit card details, during online purchasing and to make sure that the vendor’s site is encrypted and the vendor is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

The holidays are also about charitable giving and consumers should take extra caution when making donations over the holidays. If a consumer is unsure about a particular solicitation, they should contact the charity directly to ask questions or make a donation.

If a consumer has questions about their rights, they can contact the Consumer Affairs Division at Service NL at 709-729-2599 or toll-free at 1-877-968-2600.

QUICK FACTS

• Holiday shoppers are encouraged to stay informed on retailer policies and to safeguard against fraud.
• Consumers who are unsure of their rights should contact the Consumer Affairs Division at 709-729-2599 or toll-free at 1-877-968-2600.
• The Consumer Affairs Division of Service NL regulates transactions between consumers and business entities to ensure fairness and reasonableness.

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Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Service NL 709-729-4860, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2014 12 04                           9:45 a.m.