7 On Your Side Frequently Asked Questions
7 On Your Side Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can you give me advice on my auto related problem?
(800) 777-0133 (or your local DMV investigations office listed in your phone book)
Auto line (800) 955-5100
Q. Can Seven On Your Side assist me if I am business possessor with a complaint against a company I do business with?
A. Unluckily, we are incapable to help you with your problem. Seven On Your Side is rigorously a service intended to help consumers resolve complaints against businesses, rather than business-to-business. However, we do suggest that you contact the Better Business Bureau in your area, as they will very likely be a good resource for you. You can also contact the National Petite Business Association, which has good resources for businesses, and its affiliate in California.
Q. If I have a question about a business where should I go to see if they are legitimate?
A. To learn more about a local business contact the Better Business Bureau in your city or county. The phone number can be found in your phone book. To research the licensing and legal standing of a California business, or for general questions, contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 952-5210.
A. To learn more about requirements for product advertisements, contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357.
Q. I get telemarketing calls on my cell phone, what can I do to stop the calls?
A. Cell phone providers are not permitted to sell your phone number. However, it is true that you can (and should) add your cell phone number with the national Do Not Call Registry. It’s effortless and free, and will help
ensure that telemarketers don’t even attempt calling your cell. You can get more information about this topic here.
Q. Where do I go to check on a charity before I make a donation?
A. You can check on a charity’s identification through the California Attorney General’s website, or GuideStar, or through the Better Business Bureau. These sites will also permit you to view the charity’s one thousand ninety nine tax form, which shows you how much the organization raises, how much they use for the actual charity, and how much their management team makes. This should help you make an informed decision about whether you want to make a donation.
Q. I keep getting calls from a collection agency and I do/do not have a debt what should I do?
A. The recorded message encouraging you to call back, without telling what it is in regards to, is a typical tactic used by collection agencies. They will often track down a phone number of the person they think owes money to some company or other and they often get the wrong party.
Q. I am looking for a licensed contractor, where is the best resource to find one in my area?
A. Before you hire ANY contractor, please be sure to check licensing with the Contractors State License Board.
Q. I have a contract I want to get out of, where can I go to get help?
A. A signed contract is usually tying. Once a contract has been signed, or a purchase finished, there is little that can be done. For general questions, you can also contact the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC can be reached at 1-877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357). You might also attempt contacting the California Department of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-952-5210.
Q. I received a check in the mail and it looks real, how do I know if it’s fake or not?
A. This sounds like yet another twist on the old counterfeit cashier’s check scam. What often happens in these cases is that you cash the check, your bank credits your account with the funds, but then weeks later, the issuing bank kicks the check back to your bank as bogus, and your bank takes the money back out of your account. By that time, you’ve very likely sent the money on to the “artist” and are now out the total amount of the bogus check. We strongly advise you not to communicate with this person! The best thing to do with that check is rip it up and throw it out!
Q. Can a business print my total credit card number on my receipt?
A. California law prohibits businesses from printing out the total number on receipts, unless they are using an imprint of the card. With older model credit card processing machines, the card is placed in the device and imprinted with carbon paper. That’s the only exception to the law. If the business is printing out credit card receipts (mostly using that lean, yellow paper as the “customer copy”) then they can’t print out the utter number. The California Civil Code is below so you can print out a copy and take it into the business with you. If they don’t conform, you can report them to the state Office of Privacy Protection.
Q. Can you recommend a credit counseling service to consolidate my debts?
A. There are many non-profit credit counseling services available via the Bay Area. While we are prohibited from making recommendations for specific products or services, we have had good practices with Consumer Credit Counseling Service, which is run through the National Foundation for Consumer Credit. You can get more information about them here.
Q. Where can I go to fix problems or errors on my credit report?
A. The Federal Trade Commission website has a very helpful pamphlet on how to decently go about dispute errors on your credit report. Please note that you can always do this yourself and do not have to pay a service to “fix” your credit history.
Q. What is the best way to monitor my credit?
A. Albeit there are many legitimate credit monitoring services, most consumer advocacy groups say that you shouldn’t have to pay for something you can lightly do yourself. That said, if you have reason to believe that your credit may be particularly vulnerable (if you’re a latest ID theft victim, for example), you need to weigh whether or not the fee will be worth your peace of mind.
Q. A debt collection company is attempting to collect a debt that is years old, what can I do?
A. The statute of limitations varies by state — so if your debt was incurred in California, state law would set the statute – four years, in most cases. The state Department of Consumer Affairs website has a good legal guide on this topic.
Q. I waited over four hours for a delivery or repair service, do I have any recourse?
A. Under California Civil Code 1722, companies that have twenty five or more employees must provide you with a 4-hour window in which they will make the delivery or provide the service (such as repairs). If they fail to do so, or they fail to make that 4-hour window, the consumer can sue in puny claims court for up to $600. The only exception is if the failure to meet the window is due to reasonable “unforeseen circumstances.” The company must also notify the consumer within a reasonable amount of time if it knows in advance that it will not make the 4-hour window. At that time, the company must provide a 2-hour window for a future date. The utter text of the California law is below for you to read, and possibly to provide to the company in question.
Q. I am on the Do Not Call List and I am still getting calls, what can I do?
A. We’re sorry to hear about your practices with the telemarketing company which is violating Do Not Call laws. I would suggest noting the date, time and company who calls. Get a specific employee name if possible. Inform them calmly that they are in disturbance of federal law and that you will exercise your legal right to sue them for $500 per call if they proceed to contact you. Also, inform them that you are filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and make sure to follow-up on that. You can file a complaint online.
Q. I am permanently getting credit card offers in the mail, what can I do to relieve some of the offers?
A. 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688) is the legitimate toll-free number that connects you with a service run jointly by the three national credit bureaus. They are the ones who have a legal right to sell your name for credit card, insurance and other financial solicitations. However, you can call this number and “opt out.” The credit bureaus were ordered by Congress to create this collective one-call opt-out system in 1996.
Q. Where do I check to see if a car I want to buy was ever in a flood?
A. It’s best to have a mechanic do a thorough check of the car before you make any purchase. They can look specifically for possible signs of flood harm, such as: corrosion, rust or stains in areas where water normally wouldn’t or shouldn’t reach. You should also check the carpet and upholstery in the interior and trunk for a musty or moldy smell.
Q. I want to get my free credit report, how do I go about this?
A. You can order your free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus by going to this website: www.annualcreditreport.com. If you attempt to order it from any other source (such as directly from a credit bureau) they will all attempt to make you pay for it. They are only processing free reports through the centralized website listed above.
Q. Can a bounty card or bounty certificate expire?
A. Unluckily, there are certain circumstances in which a bounty certificate or bounty card *can* expire, such as if they were received through a promotion or discount. If your bounty card was obtained through a prizes program (such as a frequent flier program), it actually can expire. Also, if the bounty card was bought in bulk by an employer or other business, and the amount paid for the bounty card was less than the actual value of the bounty card, then the card can expire. Lastly, if the bounty card was purchased in a state outside California, in a state that does not have an expiration date ban as we do, the card can expire. Basically, the laws of the state where it was sold will apply.
Q. I am a victim of identity theft, what should I do?
A. One of the best online resources for information about what to do if you may be a victim of identity theft is the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. You can also get good information from the state Office of Privacy Protection.
Q. I get junk faxes on my home fax machine, how can I stop this?
A. Unluckily, despite the illegality of junk faxes, the government has done little to provide real consumer protections. In fact, Congress recently passed a law that makes it lighter for junkfaxers to do business. There is a website, run by the CEO of a prominent Bay Area company, which suggest good tips on how to attempt to combat junk faxes.
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
Washington, DC 20554
Q. How can I stop the junk mail I receive to my home?
A. If you want off as many national mailing lists as possible, your very first step is to contact the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS). You must re-register after five years.
Send a post card or a letter with a check of money order for $1 to:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
Carmel, NY 10512
Q. I am a landlord/tenant and having an issue, where can I go for advice?
Q. Can Seven On Your Side assist me if I presently have a lawyer/attorney working on my consumer complaint?
A. Unluckily, seven On Your Side is prohibited from getting involved with any case in which the consumer has retained an attorney. If you are receiving legal advice from a paid professional, your consumer rights should be adequately protected.
A. If your problem is of a legal nature, you may want to consider contacting an attorney. For assistance locating an attorney, you can contact the California BAR association. Each county BAR association also has a lawyer referral service. These can be found in your phone book. Attorneys are usually available for an initial low-cost or free consultation.
Q. Where can I go to get loan modification advice?
A. The federal government has certified hundreds of non-profit agencies to help people just like yourself.
A. If you are having problems getting your lender to modify your home mortgage or if you have paid a third-party company to help you but they have not performed as promise, the following free help is available:
Q. I received an email and/or letter in the mail telling I won a lottery; is this a scam?
A. International lotteries are a very common type of scam. Very first, consider whether or not you actually purchased a lottery ticket. If not, it wouldn’t be feasible for you to win. 2nd, it is illegal in the U.S. to purchase lottery tickets from other countries by phone or mail. Yet scammers proceed to attempt to trick virginal consumers into believing they have won. In any case, the notification you received is, unluckily, very likely one of those scams. Please read the information from the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
Q. I have a problem with my medical insurance, can you assist me?
A. Unluckily, we are incapable to assist in cases that involve health insurance. However, there is a wonderful resource available to consumers for help with medical claims issues. It is called the California Consumer Health Care Council. This group can typically assist in cases related to denied claims, early hospital discharges, coverage limitations or switches, etc. You can reach them at:
1275 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4057
Q. I received an suggest online and/or in the mail to be a Mystery Shopper, is this legitimate?
A. Unluckily, we are prohibited from answering specific inquiries or providing recommendations about products or services. However, here is information on mystery shopping from the Federal Trade Commission.
Q. What is the Nigerian scam?
A. The so-called “Nigerian” scam that has been around for about a decade. Here is some helpful information about them from the Federal Trade Commission.
Q. I received an email asking me to inject my account number and private information with a company I already do business with. Is this is scam?
A. This is indeed a scam, commonly known as “phishing.” Please read the following information from the Federal Trade Commission.
Q. I want to file a puny claims court case, where do I go for information?
A. If your dispute involves an amount under $7500, you may wish to contact Puny Claims Court for assistance. Filing fees are moderate and the process is straight forward. Each county also has a Puny Claims Advisor, whose services are free. Information on the puny claims process is available here. You can also request written information by calling the Department of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-952-5210.
Q. I received a letter in the mail from a company claiming I am owed money, is it true?
A. It’s very possible that the government is holding some money for you, but you do NOT have to pay anything to get it! Businesses like “U.S. Claims Service” will attempt to get you to pay them to get the money for you. But the truth is, you can do it yourself very lightly, and for FREE! All you need to do is check with the state controller’s office to see if you do have money coming to you. You pack out a claim form, mail it in, wait for them to verify that you are who you say you are, and they’ll mail you a check. Anytime someone owes you money, you shouldn’t have to pay anything to recover it.
Q. I received merchandise in the mail that I never ordered, what do I do?
A. Federal laws prohibit mailing unordered merchandise to consumers and then requiring payment, so if you receive something you didn’t ask for, you have a right to keep it without paying for it. If it’s something expensive, that you’re worried you might be held liable for, you could write to the company that sent it, let them know you didn’t order it, and that they have thirty days from the date of the letter to pick it up on their dime. If they don’t, you can keep it with a clear conscience. Make sure you send that letter comeback receipt requested or certified, so you have a record. Here’s more information from the Federal Trade Commission.
Q. Are work-at-home programs legitimate?
A. Unluckily, we have uncommonly — if ever — encountered a work-at-home program that truly was legitimate. We are prohibited from providing recommendations for or against specific products or services but we can, however, tell you that state and federal regulators have issued warnings about many work-at-home schemes.