Consumer Advisory Bulletins
The Consumer Advisory is Attorney General Tom Miller's monthly bulletin with tips and information about a comprehensive list of consumer issues.
AUTO
Avoid Car Title Loans
Tips for Buying a Used Car
Prevent Odometer Fraud
Tips for Reducing Gasoline Use
Tips for Bridgestone/Firestone Recall-Tire Owners
Iowa's "Lemon Law" -- Know Your Rights!
Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair
"Look Before You Lease!" -- Be sure you know the stakes before you lease an auto
Should I Buy the Service Contract?
CREDIT AND FINANCE
How to Deal with Credit Card Offers
Beware of "Free Trial Offers"
Rapid Tax-Refund Loans: A very costly way to gain just a few days on tax refunds
Get Your FREE Credit Reports
Guard Your Bank Accounts
"Payday Loans" -- Dollars Down the Drain?
Counterfeit Cashier’s Check Scam Grows
Shopping for Credit Cards
Medicare Rx Drug Discount Cards: Check 'em out -- but Beware of Scams
Nigeria Counterfeit Check Scam: Warning! Phony Cashier's Checks Cheat On-Line Sellers.
Protect Yourself from "Identity Theft"
Credit Cards on Student Incomes: Proceed With Caution -- and Shop With Care!
"Fair Debt Collection: Know Your Rights
Protect Your Privacy -- Take Control of Your Personal Information
Beware of Scheme Targeting African Americans
"Rent-to-Own" -- Know the Costs!
Home Equity Loans: Save for Months -- Pay for Decades
Zero-Percent Financing" Can Cost You Plenty!
"Credit Card Protection Plans" -- Paying for What You Can Do for Free?
Credit Insurance: Is it a Good Idea for You?
Advance Fee "Loan Broker" Schemes
Avoid Pyramid Schemes. Pyramids schemes are illegal -- and are destined to fail
E-COMMERCE and the INTERNET
Beware of "Spam" Scams
“Take the Grand Scam Challenge” – consumer education games and quizzes online
Warning: Internet Phishing Scams
Hurricane Scams
Counterfeit Cashier’s Check Scam Grows
Consumer Tips for Holiday Shoppers
Warning: Work-at-Home Schemes
International Lottery Schemes: You're the Loser!
Internet Auctions: "Going, Going, Gone!"
Do's and Don'ts for Online Shopping
Nigeria Counterfeit Check Scam: Warning! Phony Cashier's Checks Cheat On-Line Sellers.
"Free" and "Low-Cost" Computers: Beware of Unexpected Costs
Protect Kids' Privacy Online
HEALTH
Medicare Rx Drug Discount Cards: Check 'em out -- but Beware of Scams
Health Privacy Act Takes Effect April 14. Consumers will receive notices with information about their rights to keep medical information private.
Iowans Are Eligible for $1 Million in Prescription Drug Refunds
Health "Discount Cards" -- A Prescription for Wasting Money?
Listen Up! -- for Tips on Buying a Hearing Aid
How to Find Reputable In-Home Health Care and Service Plans
Consumer Alert: "Viatical Settlements"
HOME
The "Right-to-Cancel" Law - Know Your Rights!
Prevent Home Repair Scams and Disputes
Warning: Work-at-Home Schemes
Warning: Door-to-Door Meat Scams.
Water Treatment Systems: Check Them Out Before You Buy!
MAIL
Beware of "Spam" Scams
Credit Card Offers
Hurricane Scams
You're Taking a Chance When You Enter Sweepstakes
Donor Beware! How to avoid charity fraud and make the most of your donations.
Guard Your Bank Accounts
Counterfeit Cashier’s Check Scam Grows
Consumer Tips for Holiday Shoppers
Warning: Work-at-Home Schemes
International Lottery Schemes: You're the Loser!
Caution: Watch What You Sign
Nigeria Counterfeit Check Scam: Warning! Phony Cashier's Checks Cheat On-Line Sellers.
How to Avoid Unwanted "Junk Mail" and Telephone Solicitations
How to Protect Yourself in Mail Order Purchases
Magazine Subscription Schemes
Don't Sign Up for a "Scam". Prize Giveaways may Expose you to Scams or Unwanted Solicitations
Avoid Pyramid Schemes. Pyramids schemes are illegal -- and are destined to fail
NATURAL DISASTERS or STORMS
Hurricane Scams
Alert: Consumer Scams After the Flood
Price-Gouging Rule in Effect in Storm- and Flood-damaged Counties
Tree-Trim Tips: Consumer Tips for Iowans with Storm-Damaged Trees
TELEPHONE
Tips on How to Choose a Cell Phone Plan That Works Best for You
Hurricane Scams
You're Taking a Chance When You Enter Sweepstakes
Donor Beware! How to avoid charity fraud and make the most of your donations.
Guard Your Bank Accounts
Consumer Tips for Holiday Shoppers
The National "Do Not Call" List.
Caution: Watch What You Sign
"Dial 10-10" -- But Only if You Know all the Details
How to Avoid Unwanted "Junk Mail" and Telephone Solicitations
Surprising Revelations from "Psychic Hotlines"
Telephone Fraud Alert: "Cramming"
Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud. How to Avoid being Cheated by Telephone Con-Artists and Avoid Unwanted Calls
How to Hang up on Long Distance Slamming
Don't Gamble on Illegal Lottery Schemes
Magazine Subscription Schemes
GENERAL ADVICE
The "Right-to-Cancel" Law - Know Your Rights!
“Take the Grand Scam Challenge” – consumer education games and quizzes online
Consumer Tips for Holiday Shoppers
Caution: Watch What You Sign
Health Privacy Act Takes Effect April 14. Consumers will receive notices with information about their rights to keep medical information private
Iowans Urged to File for CD Payments
Protect Yourself from "Identity Theft"
Beware of Scheme Targeting African Americans
How to Get Your Name Off of Mail and Telephone Solicitation Lists
Purchases at Seminars: The Consumer's Right to Cancel
Don't Sign Up for a "Scam". Prize Giveaways may Expose you to Scams or Unwanted Solicitations
Tobacco Wars -- and How You Can Volunteer!
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