Contact the Better Business Bureau for any recorded justified complaints against the company...before you make the purchase.

Before you buy, take advantage of sales, but, compare prices. A sale is not a bargain...unless you need it.

Do not assume an item is a bargain, just because it says "Sale."

Don’t rush into a large purchase because the "price is only good...today." If it is only good today...maybe, it wasn’t a good deal for you in the first place.

Check to see if the company is licensed or registered at the your local or state level with the appropriate agency.

Beware of extra charges, such as delivery fees, installation charges, service costs, and postage and handling. Add them to the total cost and determine if it is still... a bargain.

Ask about the seller’s refund or exchange policy, before you make the purchase.

Before you purchase an extended warranty... read it. Make sure you know exactly what is and what isn’t covered under the warranty before you buy it.

Be suspicious of businesses who only have a P.O. Box as an address...it may be a mail drop.

Do not respond to any prize or gift offers that requires you to pay even a small amount of money for your winnings.

Free is Free. There is never a cost associated with Free.

Use unit pricing in supermarkets to compare what items cost. Unit pricing allows you to compare the price ounce-for-ounce and pound for pound. Bigger packages are not always cheaper than smaller ones.

Get everything in writing. Do not rely on a salesperson’s promises.

Do not sign a contract without reading it ...before you sign your name on the line or if there are blank spaces.

Obtain a salesperson's name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.

Some con artists will send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.

Obtain and retain all offers in written form, but beware -- not everything written down is true.

Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. "What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?"

Beware of solicitors asking you to send money unless you know the person or business with whom you are dealing.

Don't pay for a "free prize." If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.

If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.

You must not be called repeatedly or intimidated by telemarketers.

Be very careful about the kinds of persons to whom you disclose personal information, such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers.

Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are -- the kinds of financial information you will and won't give out on the telephone.

Your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties. Information you disclose to any private person, business, sweepstakes, club, or other organization may become a commodity for lead brokers.