Mass Consumer Affairs Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

With inflation picking away at our pockets, seniors and others who rely on Social Security will see a boost in pay beginning in early 2023. The welcome increase is set to be the biggest cost-of-living increase in decades.

The Division of Banks (DOB), an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), is the primary financial services regulator in Massachusetts and oversees mortgage lenders, mortgage loan originators, and mortgage brokers.