Our world is filled with goods and services along with people who are consuming those goods and services.

For the most part, this process works to drive the economy and us, as consumers. However, there are times when the goods and services do not live up to our expectations.

When this happens, consumers need to be protected. Fortunately, President John F. Kennedy introduced us to the Consumer Bill of Rights in 1962.

Federal Consumer Bill Of Rights

This bill consists of 6 basic consumer rights at the federal level:

The Right To Be Safe

You have the right to be safe against injuries caused by a good or service when purchased.

The Right To Choose Freely

You have the right to choose what company/business you wish to patronize for a particular good or service.

The Right To Be Heard

You have the right to complain about a good or service to resolve any issues in an appropriate manner.

The Right To Be Informed

You have the right to know the truth about a good or service. There should be enough information to allow you to make an informed decision about whether or not you want to purchase a good or service.

The Right To Education

You have the right to be educated enough to make good purchasing decisions.

The Right To Service

You have the right to basic and essential goods and services.

All of these rights are to ensure a safe and fair trading economy. These 6 rights protect consumers legally. Although they are not federal laws, they are reflected in similar state laws.

Missouri Consumer Bill Of Rights

If you are living in Missouri, these are the  your rights as a consumer under Missouri’s consumer-protection laws:

The Right to Dispute A Charge

If you are charged for a utility bill, you have the right to ask questions and be given a reasonable answer for the charge. This charge can be for using the service, a late fee, or a surge in a fee.

The Right To File A Complaint

You have the right to file a complaint about a service that you are not happy with. This complaint can be for a fee or being dissatisfied with the quality of the service.

The Right For An Explanation

If you are charged whether that be an extra fee to your bill or an increase in the price of a service you use, you have the right to an explanation. The person or business providing the service must give you a reasonable and factual answer as to why the price increased, lowered or there was a fee tacked on.

The Right To Be Notified

Before a utility or service is shut off, the person or business providing the service has to make reasonable efforts to contact you 24 hours in advance.

The Right To Keep Services On

During hot and freezing weather, you have the right to keep your electricity on to provide either heat or air. When the National Weather Service predicts for the next 24 hours that the weather will be below 32 degrees, your heat-related utility services cannot be disconnected. This rule also applies when the National Weather Service predicts for the next 24 hours that the weather will rise above 95 degrees.

Have you been a victim of consumer fraud or had one of these basic consumer rights violated? The lawyers at The Law Office Of Richard S. Cornfeld can help you understand these rights and fight to protect them. To learn more about filing for a violated consumer right, contact the Cornfeld legal team today.