Special to The Citizen
AUBURN -- Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware, a phrase that still holds as true today as it did in ancient Rome.
It might mean more today in the age of the Internet, credit cards and an ever increasing fear and awareness of issues such as identity fraud.
Since 1999, on a national level, the federal government has worked to address these issues with National Consumer Fraud Awareness week. On the state and local levels, representatives from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office, will be visiting towns and cities across New York to listen to the public's concerns.
On Monday afternoon, Tracy Burt, a consumer fraud representative based out of Syracuse, visited Auburn City Hall to hear concerns from area residents and distribute information addressing issues from Internet fraud to medical billing issues.
"We thought it would be good to be in Auburn," said Joe Rossi, assistant director of intergovernmental affairs from Cuomo's Syracuse office. "No part of the state is being overlooked. The idea is to give people the chance to meet with someone face to face to talk about their concerns. We wanted someone to be in Auburn to give people in Cayuga County the chance to meet with someone a little closer to home."
Numerous pamphlets and handouts were available addressing topics such as protecting your privacy, whether it be online or through the mail with things such as sweepstakes mailings that promise prizes or cash but require personal information like bank account numbers or credit card information to be eligible.
The literature warned to be cautious about these kinds of claims. The available information also addressed larger topics that affect many consumers. People should be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, high pressure sales people and rushed purchases or investments.
The literature said that consumers should read contracts thoroughly and to use common sense when entering into large purchases, simply put, if it sounds too good to be true, than chances are, it is.
For more, read Tuesday's Citizen
It might mean more today in the age of the Internet, credit cards and an ever increasing fear and awareness of issues such as identity fraud.
Since 1999, on a national level, the federal government has worked to address these issues with National Consumer Fraud Awareness week. On the state and local levels, representatives from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office, will be visiting towns and cities across New York to listen to the public's concerns.
On Monday afternoon, Tracy Burt, a consumer fraud representative based out of Syracuse, visited Auburn City Hall to hear concerns from area residents and distribute information addressing issues from Internet fraud to medical billing issues.
"We thought it would be good to be in Auburn," said Joe Rossi, assistant director of intergovernmental affairs from Cuomo's Syracuse office. "No part of the state is being overlooked. The idea is to give people the chance to meet with someone face to face to talk about their concerns. We wanted someone to be in Auburn to give people in Cayuga County the chance to meet with someone a little closer to home."
Numerous pamphlets and handouts were available addressing topics such as protecting your privacy, whether it be online or through the mail with things such as sweepstakes mailings that promise prizes or cash but require personal information like bank account numbers or credit card information to be eligible.
The literature warned to be cautious about these kinds of claims. The available information also addressed larger topics that affect many consumers. People should be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, high pressure sales people and rushed purchases or investments.
The literature said that consumers should read contracts thoroughly and to use common sense when entering into large purchases, simply put, if it sounds too good to be true, than chances are, it is.
For more, read Tuesday's Citizen
