RICHMOND, Va. - April is National Financial Literacy Month, and one group would like Virginians to know that if they have ever tried to stop automatic debits from their bank account, only to be given the run-around by the bank, they do have recourse.

Dana Wiggins is the director of outreach and financial advocacy for the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC). She said her office has been flooded with calls from people who have tried to stop their bank account from being automatically debited, only to be told by their bank that there is nothing the bank can do.

"It's really important to know that you can stop automatic debits from your bank account," she said, "especially if you haven't authorized them or if you've withdrawn authorization. It's important to know that you do have rights."

According to federal law, people have the right to stop any electronic authorizations with their bank or credit union, Wiggins said. But people are often told by their banks they must get the company to stop debiting the account, which can prove difficult when it comes to companies like payday lenders or other on-line lenders. She recommended that those needing help contact www.virginiafairloans.org or call the VPLC hotline, 866-830-4501.

Wiggins said an important first step to stop automatic withdrawals from your account is to tell the lender or the party that is automatically debiting that you wish to withdraw authorization, meaning you no longer give them permission to debit your bank account. You can do it verbally or, she suggested, it is best is to put it in writing - in an email or on paper - and copy your bank on the letter.

"Then, you want to go to the bank and say, 'Here's a copy of the withdrawal notice that I have sent to these lenders; I want to be sure that they aren't trying to debit from my account after I've withdrawn the authorization, so I would like you to also stop allowing them to debit from my account,'" Wiggins said.

In some cases, Wiggins added, people did not even authorize their accounts to be debited, and they are not able to reach anyone to withdraw the authorization.

Closing your bank account is also an option, she said. She suggested that people who have trouble with their bank file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov.




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Today is Giving Tuesday, a day when millions of Americans are expected to make charitable donations.

But it can also be a field day for scammers. Experts have tips on how to make sure your contribution ends up in the right hands.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says charities are required to file financial reports with the state's Department of Justice, so you can go online and check their registration status.

"You can use our registry: search tool@oag.ca.gov, under charities to ensure a charity is in good standing and is up to date with its financial reporting requirements," Bonta explained.

Consumers are urged to read those financial reports, to find out what percentage of their revenue is spent on the mission versus on staff and overhead. Experts also warn people not to fall for high-pressure tactics used on telemarketing calls.

Bonta urged people to check the name, email and web address carefully to be certain you don't fall prey to a scammer posing as a real charity.

"Take, for example, the American Red Cross of California. Sounds good. But that's not the American Red Cross that we know and love," he said. "It sounds like the Red Cross, but that was actually the name of a now-defunct organization that our office ordered to 'cease and desist' back in 2019 for misleading donors."

Officials also advise consumers to be careful if asked to make a donation via text, QR code or portable credit card reader. Verify that the person asking truly represents a legitimate charity, get a receipt, and check your credit card statement right away to make sure you were charged the correct amount.


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Consumer watchdogs say Black Friday sales might have set records this year, as retailers offer deep discounts to get shoppers into their stores, and Cyber Monday could do the same.

For shoppers who are concerned about where these gifts were made, a new directory lists American-made products from more than 200 companies, and in every state. The latest poll shows consumers support buying them, to boost the economy and create more jobs.

Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, said the purpose of the "Made in America Holiday Gift Guide" is twofold.

"We have found that a lot of people don't know where to look for 'made in America' gifts, and having something that's curated makes that task a little bit easier," Paul explained. "We also want to celebrate the companies that are making things in America."

Five Indiana companies are included in this year's guide. Among those polled, 86% said they would purchase American-made items this holiday season if large retailers stocked them.

Paul sees America's renewed interest in the manufacturing sector as a positive for public policy and small businesses. The Small Business Administration said Indiana is home to nearly 14,000 small businesses within the manufacturing industry.

Cyber Monday has grown to reap billions in sales from online shoppers since it began in 2005. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce said Cyber Monday sales totaled almost $11 billion in 2021. However, hundreds of thousands of items posted on retail websites omit the origin of a product.

Paul argued an informed customer makes better choices, and online shopping should be more transparent.

"Even though, if you're shopping on a big website, there's no requirement that they post where that product is made," Paul pointed out. "Despite offering thousands of other details, in some cases, about that product."

In the poll, 81% of those surveyed would support a bill in Congress, known as the Country of Origin Online Labeling Act, which would require a product's country of origin and seller information be available to shoppers online. By law, only brick-and-mortar retailers must now provide such information.

It is Cyber Monday, which means you will likely find great deals on your holiday shopping but the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas cautioned it is also easy to fall victim to scams.

In 2022, people in North Carolina and throughout the country reported losing a staggering $8.8 billion to scams, with a significant portion stemming from online shopping fraud.

Meredith Radford, senior communications specialist for the Better Business Bureau of the Eastern Carolinas, said there are several ways to stay safe, starting with ensuring you are on a secure website.

"Any website that doesn't have that HTTPS, where the S stands for 'secure' at the end, means it's not a secure site, and that can be a red flag," Radford pointed out. "We also see a lot of scammers making fake versions of legitimate brands."

In addition to checking a website before entering personal information, she advised against clicking on unsolicited links. She also advised against purchasing items seemingly sold out everywhere else or at significantly lower prices than usual.

Radford warned shortages in electronics and toys may lead consumers to seek out unfamiliar websites. She emphasized the need for extra caution during this season to safeguard your money. She added once your money is lost, it may not be easy to get back.

"Unfortunately, there isn't always a ton that can be done to get your money back once it's gotten taken by a scammer," Radford noted. "Because a lot of times the scammers are overseas and so they don't fall under the jurisdiction of police or anything like that, so it's really just important to look out for yourself."

Other ways to exercise caution, according to Radford, include checking for authentic reviews and using credit cards to minimize the risk of losing money.