Mass Consumer Affairs Blog

The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
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Be Careful Streaming This Football Season  

9/22/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation wants consumers looking to skip paying extra fees by watching football games on free streaming sports sites to know the risk potential of an unsecure site.

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Scam Alert: Brushing Scams  

9/16/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Unsolicited boxes of merchandise at your door aren’t necessarily a sign of good luck, you may be a victim of a brushing scam.

Brushing Scam Graphic

SCAM ALERT: “Wrong Number” Texts  

9/09/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Have you received a message from a wrong number? Don’t respond. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently warned of a rise in “wrong number” texts. RoboKiller estimates that Americans received over 12 billion robo-texts.

Wrong Text Message Scam Graphic

Labor Day Deals and Online Shopping Scams  

9/02/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Labor Day Deals and Online Shopping Scams

Scam Alert: Predatory Student Loan Forgiveness Scams  

8/29/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Last week, the Biden Administration announced a sweeping federal student loan forgiveness program. The program, which cancels up to $20,000 of student debt, is sure to attract scammers seeking to exploit hopeful borrowers.

Scam Alert: Predatory Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

Know Your Massachusetts Tenant Rights  

8/24/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

With September just around the corner, many residents are renewing or moving into new spaces as tenants. Knowing your rights as a tenant is key to ensuring a safe, misconduct-free, and worthwhile living experience.

Graphic Image for Tenant Rights Blog Post

Landlord Rights and Responsibilities  

8/22/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Fall is around the corner and that means many residents and students will be signing new leases. Just as tenants should be aware of their rights, landlords must understand their responsibilities to ensure a mutually beneficial rental experience.

Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

"Google Voice" Scams  

8/12/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

The “Google Voice” scam has re-entered headlines, months after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), initially warned the public about the scheme.

google voice scam graphic

Tax-Free Weekend: August 13-14, 2022  

8/10/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Massachusetts Consumers will soon get a two-day break from sales tax! The state’s tax holiday is Saturday August 13 and Sunday August 14th. Retail items of up to $2,500, purchased in Mass for personal use on these two day, will be exempt from sales tax.

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New Scam Alert: Zelle Payments  

8/05/2022 Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

As consumers we are always looking for products and services that are convenient or provide instant gratification. Peer-to-peer payment applications provide both of those features, so it is no surprise that the use of these programs are on the rise.

Zelle Scam Alert Graphic Image