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Month: August 2020
Say “No” to Auto-Renewals
Have you ever sign up for a subscription or on-going service and then get surprised by a renewal charge that shows up on your credit card bill weeks later? Have you gotten discouraged when you can’t figure out how to cancel? Or it’s too late to prevent the charges?
It’s called automatic renewal, and the practice is showing up more frequently in consumer contracts for all sorts of services and products. It’s happening everywhere from entertainment subscriptions to gym memberships to home security.
Some people even refer to auto-renewals as “zombie contracts” because they seem to never die. Despite seeing the charges and trying to cancel, you’re always too late and the fees keep repeating themselves.
So, if you’re unwittingly auto-renewed into a new contract with a home security company and want to challenge the agreement — you’re not alone.
Georgia law requires every customer to be notified between 30 and 60 days of the original expiration date of the contract. The notification must clearly state that the contract is renewing. It must also provide clear instructions on how to cancel service if they do not want the contract to automatically renew for any term more than month to month.
Most companies are following state regulations on notification of a contract term in the original agreement. However, fewer are properly following the requirement of notifying customers that their contract is automatically renewing for more than a one-month term.
If you find yourself in this situation, check to see if you’ve received this type of written notification within the required time period. If not, you can dispute the auto-renewal and get out of the renewal without penalty.
Once you’re free from the binds of the agreement, you can resecure your home protection with EMC Security’s no-contract required policy.
Click here to download a full copy of the Georgia Auto-Renewal Law.
What to do if your package is stolen
Many of us have felt the frustration of expecting a package delivery and it not arriving on time. Worse yet, an increasing number of people have received a notice of delivery but the package isn’t there. Below are tips on what to do if this happens to you.
Check again. Check every entrance of your home and spots the delivery driver could have left it, like the bushes around the front porch, the back porch, the garage, or between the screen door and front door. We’ve even seen packages sitting in the bushes adjacent to the mailbox.
Contact the delivery company. Have your tracking number and order details handy. If they can validate that the package was indeed delivered, ask if they can verify the location. UPS will often upload an image of the package (and location) as proof of delivery. Ask about the company policy on stolen packages. If the theft was due to their mistake, they might be able to help you.
Contact the retailer. Get in touch with customer service and have your order and tracking number ready. The customer service rep can tell you the store or company policy on stolen items.
File a report. Report your missing package to the police and the Postal Inspection Service if it was shipped via the USPS. The more agencies helping you track down your stolen package, the better.
Make it Easier:
There’s a reason why doorbell cameras are the most popular home security cameras. They work. A doorbell camera records all activity from your front door – to an optional range of your choice. Some can view road traffic and others choose to only see what happens within a few feet of the camera. The best cameras have an intercom feature that lets you talk to anyone on your doorstep. EMC Security’s doorbell camera is just $149.
For extra security, outdoor cameras can be placed around the perimeter of your home starting at $99 each.
Georgia School Bus Law – Reminder
Many school systems have opted for online learning this fall. But there are also many districts that have offered in-school learning – so buses will be on the roads once again.
It’s important for people to realize how dangerous it can be at bus stops, which is why drivers have a responsibility to make sure students can leave those bus stops safely.
According to law, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus is stopped on a road with its lights on and sign out. This applies to two-lane roads, four-lane roads, and roads with a turning lane. The only time you do not have to stop is if there is a median in the road, separating you and the bus. These sections of roadway are usually divided by a grassy area, a paved area, or a concrete wall.
Penalties for Breaking the Law
If you are caught passing a school bus that is stopped, you could be fined up to $1,000 and risk getting six points on your driver’s license. As such, remember, if you see a school bus stopping and the red lights are on, you need to stop unless it’s a road with a median.
According to a school official, bus drivers try to avoid bus stops where students have to cross the street, but it does still happen and sometimes students cross when they aren’t supposed to.
Sometimes, it’s possible that a child might get confused, and not having traffic stopped in all directions could be catastrophic, which is why it’s important that drivers educate themselves on the new law and the cautions that come with driving on the roadways during the school season.
Did you know that EMC Security protects more kids and staff at school in Georgia than any other company? That’s over 358,000 students and staff! Learn how we can keep you and your family safe at home too.