Consumer Tip of the Week:  September 29, 2008 

Office of Consumer Protection Announces Activities for Hispanic Heritage Month/ Actividades de la Oficina de Protección al Consumidor (OCP) Durante el mes de la Herencia Hispana

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is focusing its consumer education activities on the Hispanic community and will be participating at several health fairs and community festivals in the county. “We want to make sure that Spanish speaking residents in the county know that we are here to help them become informed and confident consumers,” said OCP director Eric Friedman. In addition, our "Tip of the Week" will be in English and in Spanish.

Overseas Shipping Companies 

There is a lot at stake when you ship overseas; the money you will spend, the memories you are taking, and your treasured possessions. While most shipping goes smoothly, accidents do happen and some items may be lost or damaged during shipment. The first thing consumers should do before making arrangements to ship goods overseas are:

• Contact the local consulate of the country where the goods will be sent and ask them about special rules, restrictions or charges that may be incurred when your item reaches their destination.
• Only use a shipping company approved by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).www.fmc.gov
• Compare the rates and services of at least three licensed companies.
• Ask for details of additional or special charges for packing.
• Know what the shipping company’s insurance will actually pay in case your goods are lost, damaged or stolen.
• Ask whether the company provides additional insurance. Remember, insurance in your name is the best way to assure that you will be compensated if something happens to your goods.
• Inspect the items you are sending before they are shipped and make sure the Bill of Lading lists the correct information.

Source: www.protectyourmove.gov & Office of the New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo

Es un gran riesgo hacer envíos al extranjero.Piense en el costo de este envío.También los recuerdosy cosas valiosas que enviará a otro país.La mayoría de los envíos llegan sin novedad, pero de vez en cuando sucedenaccidentes,y algunas pertenencias pueden sufrir daños o perderse.Antes de embarcar nuestras pertenencias para enviarlas al extranjero, recomendamos hacer lo siguiente:

• Contactar el Consulado del país donde va a hacer el envío y preguntar sobre las regulaciones, restricciones y los cargos o tarifas que deben pagarse cuando los bienes personales lleguen al destino.
• Solamente contrate una compañía aprobada por la “Federal MaritimeCommission”.http://www.fmc.gov/
• Compare los costos y los servicios que ofrecen tres compañías embarcadoras diferentes.
• Pregunte si habrán cargos adicionales y especiales por embalaje o empaques.
• Averigüe el nombre de la compañía aseguradora que le pagará a Ud. en caso que los envíos se pierdan, se dañen o si son robados.
• Pregunte si existe algún seguro adicional.Recuerde que un seguro a su nombre es lo mejor en caso que Ud. pierda y necesite ser compensado por cualquierpérdida.
• Inspeccione bien sus pertenencias antes de embarcarlas, y verifique que el formulario de la“declaración de embarque” refleje exactamente lo que está embarcando.

Traducido de www.protectyourmove.gov y de la Oficina delFiscal General del Estado de Nueva York Mario Cuomo

Foreclosure Prevention Information    Property Tax Disclosure Bill #24-07 was enacted and will become effective on April 1, 2008.  Sellers of homes will be required to provide potential buyers with an estimate of what the actual property tax bill will be in the first full year after the home is purchased. The Office of Consumer Protection will enforce this law and will provide assistance in helping sellers comply with this new law.  The Estimated Real Property Tax and Other Non-Tax Charges application is now available on-line to assist sellers and buyers to estimate the Real Property taxes and non-tax charges for a Montgomery County, Maryland property. See the law and related press release for additional information. Please call the Office of Consumer Protection at (240) 777-3636 or send email to:  consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov if you have any questions in the interim. County’s Permitting Services to Require Licensing Information from Contractors Beginning April 1, the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will require all contractors applying for building permits for home improvement projects to provide their valid Maryland Home Improvement Contractor’s license number before a building permit may be issued in their name. County Takes Legal Action Against Travel Agent

Following an investigation by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), a case was sent to the State’s Attorney for criminal prosecution involving a travel agent who, after receiving more than $50,000 from consumers, failed to provide travel arrangements. The agent pled guilty and is currently serving a jail sentence.

Consumer Protection Charges Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractor

Following an investigation by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), an arrest warrant has been obtained for an unlicensed home improvement contractor who was paid $82,500 but failed to provide the agreed upon services. The warrant, issued on January 17, charges Cesar Suazo Rivera of Falls Church, Virginia with acting as a home improvement contractor without the required license, abandoning the job, and felony theft. Click here for Picture of contractor. Click here for a picture of the damage done to the consumer's home by the contractor.