New Jersey consumers are now heading into the thick of the holiday shopping season, and Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs are urging shoppers to stay vigilant in order to protect themselves and their money while searching for the best deals.

“During the holiday shopping season, retailers are fighting for every consumer dollar they can get, so it’s natural that they will offer discounts and deals to entice buyers,” said Attorney General Porrino. “But consumers need to be on alert for deceptive practices that could make those deals more expensive than they look.”

“Taking some extra precautions, such as making sure your online shopping is done on a secure network to verifying that you are dealing online with reputable merchants, can save you money and aggravation,” said Steve Lee, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Whether a consumer is buying online or in a store, these tips and precautions could help prevent the buyer from remorse:

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

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