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CPB Home Press Releases Consumer Links
Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch (518) 473-9472 For Immediate Release: January 2, 2008

The New York State Consumer Protection Board Offers Hints To Fulfilling Consumer Resolutions
Consumers are famous for making well-meaning resolutions as they mark the start of each New Year. Unfortunately, many may fall short of their goals, in large part because they may create resolutions that are too difficult to manage or attain. The New York State Consumer Protection Board’s (CPB) is providing New Yorkers with suggestions that may be helpful in supporting some of the more commonly-made resolutions - saving money and the environment, safeguarding yourself and your family, and getting organized.

“Reality is setting in on the resolutions people have made to themselves and/or others over the past weekend,” said Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the CPB. “As people sort through the resolutions they’ve already made and figure out those they will really keep, we are offering some simple, attainable and beneficial actions for consumers.”

Saving Money and the Environment:
  • Follow Energy StarŪ Guidelines. Replace your five most used incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STARŪ qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). You’ll save approximately $60 annually. CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer. Unplugging home electronics like VCRs, DVD and CD players, and cell phone chargers will save you money since these devices use 40 percent of their energy when they are in the off position. Electronics that have earned the ENERGY STARŪ rating use up to 60 percent less energy than other electronics and can save more money.
  • Talk to your kids about smart spending. Teaching financial literacy can be geared toward any age group, and the sooner children learn good spending habits, the better off they will be. With younger children, you can set up an allowance program. For teenagers, show them how to build a budget as an important tool for after graduation.

Safeguarding Yourself and Your Family:
  • Reduce unwanted telemarketing calls by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry by visiting www.donotcall.gov or calling 1-888-382-1222 from your land line and/or cell phone.
  • Guard your credit cards. Keep your credit and debit cards in a safe place. If you carry credit cards in your wallet or handbag, make sure you keep a list at home of the name, account number and customer service phone numbers to cancel them in case they are lost or stolen. The CPB’s Personal Identification Data (PID) card which can be found at http://www.nysconsumer.gov/internet_security.htm will help consumers achieve this goal.
  • Shred it! Reduce the risk of important personal and financial documents getting into the wrong hands by shredding material you no longer need, including credit card statements, solicitations and convenience checks, tax documents, medical bills, bank statements and any other documentation that could cause you to become a victim of identity theft.
  • Increase your product recall awareness. The CPB posts recalls of consumer products all year long. Make a point to visit our website once a month to view these announcements at http://www.nysconsumer.gov/important_recalls.htm.
  • Obtain a copy of your credit report and check it for errors. Secure a free copy of your credit report annually from each of the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian). Finding and correcting an error early can save you money (and headaches) down the road. Request a report every four months from one of the agencies to check your credit worthiness and make sure that you have not been a victim of identity theft.
  • Protect your personal information online. When shopping online use a secure browser and look for the “lock” icon on the status bar. Never give out your personal information (Social Security numbers, telephone number, address, etc.) online unless you know who is collecting it and why. Update your computer’s virus protection mechanism regularly and do not download files from strangers or click on unfamiliar links. Use a firewall, especially if you have a high-speed or “always on” connection to the Internet.
  • Follow health club tips. The CPB’s, “Looking for a Health Club” tip sheet will assist consumers in choosing the right place for that new workout regimen and can be found at: http://www.nysconsumer.gov/pdf/health_club_tip_sheet.pdf.

Getting Organized:
  • Make a budget and stick to it. Plan your spending and try to set aside some money to save. Careful budgeting has proven to be one of the most effective ways to save money for a rainy day. Spending money on something without thinking it through can lead to non-essential purchases and wasted money. See “Money Maps” at http://www.nysconsumer.gov/pdf/money_maps_chapter_one.pdf.
  • Make a shopping list when you go to the supermarket and only purchase the items on the list. Check out the CPB Food Basket Tips for the Savvy Shopper at http://www.nysconsumer.gov/pdf/food_basket.pdf.
  • Toy Safety Inventory Checklist. Use the CPB’s Toy Safety Inventory Checklist to catalogue the toys you own so you can be better prepared in the event of a new recall.

Further information and additional tips to assist you in succeeding with your New Years resolutions can be found on the CPB’s website at: www.nysconsumer.gov.

The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the “Do Not Call Law”; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.

To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call our toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information. To join the CPB’s Do Not Call Reminder list, send an e-mail to CPB's Do Not Call Reminder list