Consumer Law Essentials

Cover of the Consumer Law Wikibook

This wikibook from People's Law School describes some of the most common consumer problems faced by British Columbians and in particular by newcomers to the province. It aims to help you:

• understand the laws that protect you when you buy items or hire someone to provide a service, such as home repairs,
• learn your options when someone owes you money, or you owe someone money, and
• learn how to identify scams and frauds and how to avoid them.

Content

• Glossary

• Problems with a Purchase
  • How do I start a complaint? · Steps to make a complaint

• Problems with Home Repairs
  • What should I put in a written contract?  · Tips about hiring a contractor  · Tips about paying for repairs  · Disagreements about the repair work

• Someone Owes You Money
  • How do I write a demand letter? · When do I go to court?  · Getting legal help from a lawyer

• Problems with Debt
  • Where do I start? · What do I put in my budget? · What can the Credit Counseling Society do to help me?  · How do I contact my creditors and what do I say?  · Debt collectors

• Identity Theft
  • What does identity theft mean? · How do they get the information? · Minimizing risks  · What can you do if your identity is stolen?

• Internet Scams
  • "Free trial" scams · Phishing and Smishing · Anti-virus scam · Smartphone app scams · Facebook link-sharing scam · Bogus internet services · Overpayment scams · Free government money · West African scams

• Loan and Credit Scams
  • Advance fee loan scams  · Bogus credit cards  · Wipe your credit report clean

• Work Scams
  • Work at home, make huge profits  · Mystery shopper scams  · Bogus franchises · Pyramid schemes

• Prize, Sales and Relative Scams
  • Prize and contest scams · Door-to-door scams · Relative scams

• Sources of Help for Consumers
  • Consumer Protection BC  · Options for information and assistance

About this Wikibook

• Acknowledgements & credits

• Visit other wikibooks from People's Law School, or learn more about Clicklaw wikibooks

About People's Law School

The People's Law School is a non-profit charitable society whose purpose is to provide British Columbians with reliable information about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Suite 150 - 900 Howe Street

Vancouver, BC

V6Z 2M4

Tel 604.331.5400

Fax 604.331.5401

Email info@publiclegaled.bc.ca

This booklet and others are available on the People's Law School website.

www.publiclegaled.bc.ca