| Are you an individual, a common man who toils | | | | telephone numbers, your workplace numbers etc. |
| day and night, up and down to earn three meals a | | | | to him unless you gather complete information |
| day? If yes, then do you at times come home | | | | from a known person about him. Avoid giving |
| depressed with a look of betrayal on your face? | | | | personal details on phone. If you receive calls |
| There can be reasons like someone withdrew | | | | from unknown place that offers you some |
| cash from your credit card and you have no clue | | | | benefits and asks for your particulars, don't be |
| how; the television you purchased for your family | | | | carried away by that. Tell your particulars only |
| is not properly functioning, the shopkeeper | | | | when you are sure that the call is genuine and |
| refused to take the onus even though the TV is | | | | that there is no other way out. |
| in the warranty period or somebody stole the | | | | • Do not rely much on courier services. If |
| information from your email account by hacking | | | | you an access to the place where you have to |
| it?...this is the plight of today's consumer, who at | | | | deliver the parcel, take out some time and go |
| the end of the day comes back home defeated | | | | yourself. |
| and cursing his fate and today's world. | | | | • Do not hand over your credit or debit |
| But one should never forget that God only helps | | | | cards even to your friends. It is foolish to trust |
| those who help themselves. You can never be | | | | someone blindly nowadays. Never tell your friends |
| beaten unless you admit that you have lost; | | | | or colleagues to check your mails while you are |
| similarly no one can deceive you unless you let | | | | holidaying with your family. It is not wise to let |
| him do so. Thus, it is time for the consumers to | | | | others know your password and mails. |
| wake up and realize that nothing will happen by | | | | • When you are out for shopping in the |
| sitting hands on hands, more than talking of | | | | market, do not carry much cash. Keep the |
| action, one should believe in implementing or doing | | | | tentative amount and credit or debit card in case |
| it. Howsoever one may try it is impractical to | | | | of emergency. This will not only help you do a |
| erase theft, fraud etc. form our society. In this | | | | regulated shopping but will also save you from |
| case the only option left is to take preventive | | | | many pitfalls. |
| measures. | | | | • Before purchasing any commodity, |
| • The first and the foremost step for a | | | | always read the manufacturing date, the expiry |
| consumer to prevent himself from cheating is to | | | | date and the MRP carefully. |
| keep his eyes and ears open. Know or be aware | | | | • Never forget to take all the bills and an |
| of what is happening around you. Read the cases | | | | assurance for the warranty period. Take the bills |
| of various scams, thefts, burglaries, phishing | | | | for each and every thing you buy and it is |
| scams etc. in that are highlighted in your local | | | | advisable to take things on a longer warranty |
| newspaper and also seen on television. This will | | | | basis even if you have to pay a little more for it. |
| keep you informed and conscious of what is going | | | | • If while coming back home you lose |
| on and what can unfortunately even happen with | | | | your wallet, call up the police and register your |
| you. | | | | complaint. This can protect you from the illegal |
| • Learn from the mistakes of your | | | | use your documents by the one who picks them |
| neighbors. If a shopkeeper has given a | | | | up. It is better that you de not carry your |
| malfunctioning gadget to your neighbor, do not | | | | essentials every time you move out of the |
| make the mistake of going to that shop. If | | | | house. |
| somebody stole important mails from their | | | | • Keep all the emergency numbers (like |
| mailbox, do make it a point to collect all your | | | | the social security unit of your area, the police |
| crucial mails directly from the post office. | | | | station number etc.) stored in your mobile phone. |
| • Never reveal personal identity to a | | | | Also what is vital for your security is to keep a |
| stranger. You go for a morning walk and a man | | | | back up record in a diary of all the essential |
| over their tries to be extra amiable even asks | | | | numbers in your phone and addresses. This will |
| you to come home for lunch etc. does not imply | | | | facilitate you with all the information in case you |
| that he wants your friendship or that he is a | | | | lose your mobile phone. |
| genuine person. So do not disclose your residence, | | | | |