In addition to hiring only licensed contractors, consumers should beware of the lowest bidder, because unscrupulous builders often make promises they cannot keep.

YET the consumer must still beware.

The FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency, also warns consumers to beware of paying "processing fees" for free information.

Thus, Mr. Brewer said, consumers should beware of marketers that promise to ship an order after 60 days.

"When airlines decide to work together, consumers should beware," said Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic Airlines, which is not involved in the project.

The draft of the statement to be released by regulators today tells consumers to beware of quick fixes offered by some credit advisers.

Another sign warns consumers to beware of hucksters selling fraudulent coupons that supposedly can be exchanged for Tamagotchis.

FDA urges consumers to beware of unregulated Internet drug sellers.

Ahhhh, said the announcers, consumers must beware these dangerous imported foods, like apples from America tainted with pesticides.

The FTC warns consumers to beware of paying "processing fees" for information that is available free to the public.