For Immediate Release: December 3, 2014
December Hot Topics:
- Tips for Buying Gift Cards This Holiday Season
- Can I Get a Refund?
- Protect Your Credit Cards This Holiday Season
- Reminders from BBB®
Tips for Buying Gift Cards This Holiday Season
Giving a gift card is an easy gift to give a loved one, so they can get what they want. Be sure you keep these tips in mind so the person receiving the gift card is happy and receives the money given to them!
Before purchasing the gift cards, verify that the protective stickers haven’t been removed and the codes on the back of the card haven’t been scratched off to reveal the PIN number. Read the fine print to see if there are fees associated with the card, such as transaction or inactivity fees.
BBB® offers more tips for buying gift cards:
- Give the person the original receipt when you give the gift card.
- See if there is an expiration date associated with the card.
- Also, read the terms and conditions and find out if the card can be used in the store and online.
- Be cautious when buying gift cards from online auction sites because they may be empty, counterfeit or stolen.
- Before buying a gift card, consider the financial condition of the retailer. Should the company go out of business before the card is used, typically the gift card no longer has value.
- If a consumer buys a gift card online, be sure the website is secure, such as https:// in the website address where the consumer enters in payment information.
If you have a question about a company or want to find an Accredited Business you can trust, visit BBB’s website at: bbb.org/indy/
Can I Get a Refund?
There is no law in the state of Indiana that requires a merchant to offer a refund, exchange or a credit, nor does it require them to post their refund policies. It is up to each retail store to set its own policy with regard to refunds and exchanges.
If a consumer buys merchandise they think they might return, they should find out the refund or return policy before they purchase the product. This way the consumer will know all rules beforehand. In most cases, go to the store’s customer service and ask about their return policy.
Read the fine print to understand all of the rules. If you don’t understand something in the policy be sure to ask questions. Also, be aware of the holiday return and exchange policies, such as a final sale on a certain product, a short return window, or credit for only in-store or online.
Be sure to keep all receipts. This way you can keep track of the purchase that were made and have proof when you take the item back for a return.
If you have a question about a company or want to find a BBB® Accredited Business you can trust, visit BBB’s website at: bbb.org/indy/
Protect Your Credit Cards This Holiday Season
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, we buy items for loved ones by using our credit or debit cards. Don’t let the craziness of this season keep you from protecting yourself.
The Federal Trade Commission offers these tips when protecting yourself from credit card fraud, but these tips are ways to protect yourself this holiday season:
- Write down your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone number to report fraud for each company in a secure place outside of where you keep your credit or debit cards.
- Check your credit or debit card statement as soon as you can and, if there is an issue, let the appropriate company know right away.
- Think about who you give your credit card number to and don’t give your credit card number to someone who calls up randomly or to someone you don’t know.
- When shopping, be sure your card is with you at all times and you don’t leave it behind.
- Don’t sign a blank receipt. Be sure the correct information is on the receipt before moving forward. If there is a blank space above the total on the receipt, draw a line through it.
BBB® also encourages those shopping online to make sure they use a website with https:// and that the website is secure with a lock symbol in the upper left hand corner of the url. Another reminder is typically credit cards offer more protection for the consumer than debit cards. Be sure to look for a privacy policy to understand what personal information is requested and how it will be used.
To learn more, please visit the FTC’s site. If you have a question about a company or want to find an Accredited Business you can trust, visit BBB’s website at: bbb.org/indy/
Reminders from BBB®:
- The government does not give government grants to someone who hasn’t applied first. You should not have to pay for a grant in order to receive a free grant. If you have questions please call Better Business Bureau® Serving Central Indiana at 866-463-9222.
- BBB® urges donors to check charities out before they give at give.org.
To schedule an interview or for more information, please contact Ty Gerig at: tgerig@seasegerig.com.