Attorney General Bondi’s Weekly Briefing ………………

Black Friday is the unofficial beginning of the holiday shopping season. This week, just in time for the shopping frenzy, I released my 2018 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide. The guide is full of great advice for making secure purchases online and tips on avoiding identity theft and charity scams. It also includes safety information about toys and recalled items to better prepare shoppers to make wise purchases this holiday season.

Consumers should make sure they are using a secure web browser before submitting financial information when shopping online. Using a credit card to make an online purchase adds another layer of protection for online shoppers. It is also important to keep all receipts and understand a retailer’s return policies and deadlines.

In addition to smart online shopping tips, the guide includes a list of items recalled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission during the past year. It specifically focuses on children’s toys and items that pose a threat to children and teenagers. These products have been recalled by a manufacturer because of safety and health concerns. Recalled items include clothing, furniture, sporting goods, toys and other home products that may be unsafe for children. You can find more information on recalls and a comprehensive list of recalled items year-round at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

The holidays are a time to be grateful for what we have and enjoy the company of family and friends.