For Americans taking a vacation, attending a concert, or working
on their home or garden this summer, this season comes with its own unique
consumer challenges. Learn the top five money and scam alerts for this time of
year:
1. Don’t buy gas additives
that claim to increase fuel mileage. Even though gas prices go up in the
summer, the Environmental Protection Agency has not found any
product that significantly improves gas mileage, and some could damage a car’s
engine or increase exhaust emissions.
2. Unlicensed home repair or
landscaping contractors may come to your door to offer services. Always research contractors, pay for services upon
completion--not ahead of time--and consider using a signed contract outlining
the work to be done and the exact price.
3. Interested in a summer
concert or festival? If you buy tickets from a major vendor, remember
surcharges and additional fees may be tacked onto the listed price. Some venues require
the same credit card used to purchase tickets be presented when the tickets are
picked up, so if you’re buying tickets for someone as a gift, they may have
difficulty getting them at will-call.
4. When renting a beach or
lake house for vacation, make sure the property actually exists. Do your homework before
paying--check out the owner or rental company, consult maps, and read the lease
carefully. Pay with an online payment service or a credit card so you can
dispute the charges if something goes wrong.
5. When flying, make sure
you’re aware of the airline’s baggage charges and their policy when it comes to
bumping passengers. A lot of airlines “bump” depending on how late you checked in, so
check in ASAP!
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