Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Provides Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping and Avoiding Scams in New Podcast Episode
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection’s (OCP) latest podcast episode, “Safe and Smart Holiday Shopping” provides listeners with essential strategies to navigate the holiday season with confidence and avoid common shopping pitfalls.
In this episode, host Michelle Escobar is joined by Howard County Office of Consumer Protection Administrator Tracy Rezvani to discuss a variety of topics including the importance of comparing prices effectively, the value of staying organized with a budget and the need to understand retailers’ return policies. Ms. Rezvani also shares insights on avoiding scams, such as identifying fraudulent gift cards, fake online ads and phishing attempts that target holiday shoppers.
“Our goal with this episode is to help consumers make informed decisions during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “By providing practical tips and addressing common scams, we hope to empower the community to shop confidently and safely to keep their hard-earned money secure.”
The episode continues the collaboration between the Montgomery County and Howard County consumer protection offices to deliver impactful consumer education.
Listeners can gain valuable advice on secure online shopping practices, such as how to recognize suspicious websites, protect purchases from theft and safely handle digital and physical receipts. The episode also explores the dangers of porch pirates and how consumers can safeguard deliveries during the busy season. Additionally, Ms. Rezvani provides actionable tips for verifying charitable organizations to ensure that holiday donations reach those in need.
The “Consumer Connection” podcast is available on major platforms, including Apple Podcasts , Spotify and Amazon Music . Future episodes will focus on avoiding scams, making informed purchasing decisions and understanding consumer rights. Listeners are encouraged to email questions and ideas for episodes to [email protected] .
The Office of Broadband Programs in the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions provide technical support for the “Consumer Connection” podcast.
The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection is located at 100 Maryland Ave., Suite 3600, in Rockville. Walk-in hours are from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. For more information or to file a consumer complaint, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311, or visit its website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp .
Stay connected with OCP on X , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46264