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Chicago Tribune What's Your Problem? columnJan 01, 2012 (Chicago Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- It's a new year, and once again time to renew our vows to be good consumers. Raise your right hand, place your left hand on the newspaper and repeat after me: I resolve to fight bad service. I won't let big corporations kick me around. If I get overcharged, I will demand a refund. I will check my utility bills, credit card statements and bank accounts religiously to ensure there are no erroneous charges. I will not give my hard-earned cash to just anyone. When I hire a contractor, I will check his or her credentials and scour reviews online before signing a contract. Speaking of which, I will read all contracts, no matter how mind-numbingly boring. I will know exactly what I'm agreeing to before signing on the dotted line. I will ask for promises in writing. A customer service agent can tell me anything over the phone, but I want proof. An email is fine, but a letter is better. I will avoid long-term contracts with hefty cancellation fees. My greatest tool as a consumer is the ability to take my business elsewhere -- and the threat to do so if service doesn't improve. By locking myself into a two-year contract with a $250 early termination fee, I abdicate my most powerful consumer weapon. I will keep my paperwork, warranties and receipts in a safe place, so I have them available if there is a dispute. I will make copies or upload them onto my computer so they don't get lost. When the paperwork has outlived its usefulness, I will shred those documents immediately. I know scam artists will literally rummage through my trash to steal my credit card number or bank information. I will not be victimized by identity thieves. I will not give out personal or financial information over the phone or in an email, which are not secure communications. When I enter my credit card information online, I will make sure the website is secure, as indicated by an "s" before or after the "http" in the web address or a padlock symbol at the top or bottom of the page. I will guard my Social Security number vigorously and will never give it out to someone or some business I don't know. My Social Security number is the key to stealing my identity, and I will not let scam artists take advantage of me. I will check my credit history using AnnualCreditReport.com, the credit report clearinghouse set up by the three major credit bureaus under federal law. I know I am entitled to one free credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every 12 months, and I will use those reports to make sure my credit history is accurate. If I don't have access to the Internet, I will call 877-322-8228. If there is an inaccurate charge on my credit history, I will challenge it immediately. If I have not already done so, I will join the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 888-382-1222. I will not have another family dinner interrupted by a telemarketer. And finally, I will reward good companies by giving them my business and punish bad ones by taking my money elsewhere. I will write good reviews online for good businesses and bad reviews when I receive bad service, so other consumers can benefit from my experience. Remember, we're all in this together. facebook.com/chitribproblem ___ (c)2012 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |