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NATIONAL NOVEMBER 29 2023 IS CHOCOLATES DAY BBB Tip: A parental guide to safe and efficient holiday shopping from CARU. By Rick Walz - President/CEO BBB Serving Northern Indiana To ensure a safe and secure online holiday shopping experience, the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has crafted a set of recommendations for parents and guardians to make informed purchasing decisions this season. Creating a thoughtful shopping list. Every year, major retailers compile their lists of the hottest toys and gifts for the season. However, consumers should approach lists like the “Hottest Toys of 2023” with a critical eye. Stores and online retailers create these lists based on their expectations of what will sell well. What’s important to note is what these lists don’t reveal. For instance, the inclusion of a connected toy on such a list does not imply an endorsement of the toy’s safety or its privacy and data collection practices. To help you select a toy with data collection and privacy practices that align with your comfort level, it’s essential to read the company’s privacy policy. A robust privacy policy should: 1) Clearly outline what information the toy collects from its users, including children. 2) Specify who is responsible for collecting or accessing the gathered data. 3) Describe how this information is stored. 4) Explain the purpose and manner in which this information is used. 5) Detail the parental rights you have in terms of reviewing or removing this information. 6) Depending on the data collected from children, some connected toys may require parental consent before children can use the toy. The simplest way to find apps and connected toys that comply with the federal privacy law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), is to find a company affiliated with an FTC-approved Safe Harbor program, such as CARU’s COPPA Safe Harbor. If you encounter a website or app displaying the CARU seal, rest assured that its privacy practices adhere to the COPPA Rule. Distinguishing between naughty and nice purchases. Online shopping hinges on the accuracy and accessibility of product information available online. Therefore, it’s crucial to review product details, thoroughly understand how the product works and what is included and learn what you might still need to purchase. Be attentive to accessories that must be purchased separately, such as batteries or clothing for dolls. CARU also recommends you consider the safety and appropriateness of the toy with your child in mind.
We recommend reviewing the product packaging for details and operating specifications that may be inadvertently omitted from the website. Since online depictions of products may not always be clear, many online shoppers find it beneficial to read reviews or watch videos for a closer look. It’s essential to be aware that reviewers, influencers, bloggers, and others might receive compensation or free products in exchange for posting reviews. Part of CARU’s mission is to protect children from deceptive or inappropriate advertising, including product labeling and paid promotional online reviews. Keep an eye out for advertising disclosures and use this as an opportunity to educate your children about potential material connections and how they may affect the credibility of the review. Good things come in age-appropriate packages. Age recommendations may not be as readily apparent when shopping online, so it’s crucial for parents to look closely for them. Toys designed for teenagers might be unsafe for younger children or require adult supervision. Moreover, connected toys meant for older children and teens may collect personal information, such as audio and video, without obtaining parental consent. The companion apps for connected toys may also have unsuitable information privacy and data collection practices for children, including tracking and behavioral advertising, or they may link to sites unsuitable for children, such as social media.. Bah! Humbug! Even in secure payment and transaction environments, purchasing gifts online may expose your personal and financial information to cybercriminals. Be cautious about a website’s security if you plan to share your personal information. You better watch out...While waiting for your special deliveries, be aware that phishing attacks have been on the rise. Exercise caution when opening emails that appear to be from stores or resemble tracking information. Verify the legitimacy of the email addresses before clicking any links. If you feel nervous or suspicious about an email, refrain from clicking on anything within it. Instead, refer to the original order confirmation email or visit the company’s website to check the order status. During the holiday season, it’s also a good practice to monitor your credit card statements for any suspicious activity. For more information and to learn how to protect yourself, Google “BBB 10 Steps to Avoid Scams”. If you spot a scam, whether you have lost money or not, report it to BBB’s Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC at ReportFraud. ftc.gov. Your story can help protect consumers from similar scams.
Damage from the September Storms and Flooding? Apply for Federal Assistance CHICAGO – Cook County residents affected by the severe storms and flooding of September 17- 18, 2023, may now call or go online to register for disaster assistance from FEMA. If you have insurance coverage, first file a claim. If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, contact FEMA by going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. When calling the FEMA Helpline, multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Federal assistance may include temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-related expenses. Have the following information ready when you register with FEMA: • A current phone number where you can be contacted • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your social security number (or the social security number of a minor child in your household, if you’re applying on their behalf). • A general list of damage and losses • Banking information if you choose direct deposit • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name When registering, one member of a household needs to comply with citizenship criteria. That means a minor child who is a citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen can have a parent or guardian who is not eligible apply for assistance on the child’s behalf. Getting help to those who need it most is our priority. Recovery teams will be out soon in the neighborhoods affected by the disaster to provide one-on-one support to individuals. Recovery centers will also be opening for individuals to get additional in-person help. For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749.
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