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New Merchant Surcharges on Credit Purchases

5/15/2013

Posted on 5/15/2013 by

Most of us have gotten used to charging purchases, large and small, on a debit or credit card. Just swipe the card and avoid the hassle of carrying cash. Look carefully; you may notice a new fee on your receipt. Retailers are now allowed to pass along to consumers the cost of processing credit cards.

It’s called “merchant surcharging” and it’s permitted in most states. You can be charged up to four percent on each transaction and, similar to sale taxes, merchant surcharging can be automatically added to your bill. After a while, these charges can add up, so consumers may want to reconsider how they pay for goods and services.

Why now? Well, merchants have long been charged a processing fee by the credit card companies when consumers chose to charge their purchases. Previously, the fee could not be passed along to customers. However, as a result of litigation, merchants in the U.S. and its territories can pass that fee along directly to customers using credit cards (but not debit or prepaid cards).

What can consumers do?

· Use cash for smaller purchases; some retailers may offer you a discount if you pay with cash

· Look for notices about merchant surcharges; retailers are required to let you know so you can decide beforehand if you want to pay with a credit card

· If you know and trust the merchant, you might want to consider using a debit card with “bricks and mortar” establishments

· Use a credit card for online purchases when you need the greater protections that credit cards offer

· Get into the habit of monitoring your bank account and credit cards accounts online

Several states have banned merchant surcharges: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. In other states, it’s optional, and will vary from store to store.

For more information on managing your credit, check out BBB’s “Managing Credit – Made Simple” at bbb.org/credit-management

Please note this article only applies to U.S. residents only.

FBI Issues Cyber Security Advisory That Could Impact All Users of Microsoft Explorer 8

5/15/2013

Posted on 5/15/2013 by

Better Business Bureau warns consumers and businesses about vulnerability to scams

Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging all consumers and businesses to pay close attention to a Cyber Security Advisory issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding a vulnerability in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 browser (IE8) that could allow scammers to access and take over users’ computers. The risk for all users – home, business and government – is high, and BBB is urging anyone with IE8 to follow the recommended steps to address the problem.

The problem was first announced yesterday, and last night Microsoft released a temporary fix. Here is the original overview from the FBI:

“A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. Exploitation may occur if a user visits or is redirected to a web page which is specifically crafted to take advantage of the vulnerability. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Failed exploit attempts may result in a denial-of-service condition.”

Microsoft today released a workaround which acts as a temporary fix. It is available at: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2847140. The company is working on a patch to undo the vulnerability, which does not affect other versions of IE.

“BBB recommends that everyone with Internet Explorer 8 apply the temporary fix immediately,” said Ben Steinberg, Chief Information Officer of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “If you are not sure which version you have, try running the fix. If you don’t have IE8, the fix will stop running and let you know that your system is not at risk. Microsoft will let you know when the patch is available, and you need to download that as soon as it is.”

For more details and the fix, go to: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2847140.

“This is a good opportunity for BBB to reinforce how critical it is to maintain up-to-date anti-virus software on every computer, tablet and smart phone connected to the internet,” Steinberg added. “Consumers also need to be extremely cautious when clicking on links in email and social media messages, or opening email attachments. Scammers are very sophisticated in their techniques, and the results can be devastating: identity theft, loss of personal data, bank and credit card fraud. If you are not sure, don’t click.”

For information on all types of scams, go to BBB Scam Stopper at bbb.org/scam. Sign up for BBB Scam Alerts to receive weekly updates on the latest scams.

NOTE: Microsoft is a BBB Accredited Business.

Solar Panels – Make it a Sunny Decision

5/8/2013

Posted on 5/8/2013 by

Going green is all the rage these days. Sometimes going green can save you money and other times you just have to think of it as helping to save the environment a little bit at a time, with no monetary savings. Solar panel prices are starting to come down and more consumers are considering installing them on their homes or in their yards. In addition, more businesses are getting into the solar business because of the government subsidies that can be obtained.

Keep in mind that solar energy requires the sun. So find out how many sunny days your area has each year. As with every product or service, comparison shop with several businesses to make sure you are getting the best deal.

BBB offers the following tips for those leasing, buying or installing solar panels themselves:

Talk to your energy (electric) company.

· Most utilities have net metering programs. Net metering measures the difference between what consumers pay for the energy purchased from their utility minus the cost of energy that the consumer provides to the utility collected through the solar panels.

· Make sure you meet all standards and codes that are applicable along with local, state/provincial and federal laws.

· Ask about the cost of installing a new meter.

Find out about federal and state/provincial tax credits.

· How much will you receive – for what amount of energy generated?

· Will you be taxed on these tax credits?

· How long (months, years) will you receive tax credits?

· What do you have to do to receive the tax credits? Is there a filing date?

Choosing a business

· Check out the business with Better Business Bureau, bbb.org

· Will you be leasing or purchasing the solar panels? Compare costs - upfront versus long-term.

· Who receives the government (federal and state) benefits?

· Who pays for maintenance costs of the equipment?

· How long is the contract? 10, 15, 20 or 25 years?

· Is there a cancellation fee?

· If you move will the panels be moved for free? What if your new home will not accommodate the panels? Can you cancel?

· Consider location – on your house or in the yard?

· If the panels are located on your house, what happens if there is damage during installation – who pays to repair?

· If you have to have a new roof replaced (on average every 20 – 25 years) will the company remove and replace the panels for free or a cost?

· If the business promises a percentage savings from your current utility bill – what happens if that savings don’t materialize?

Complaints to BBB and ways to avoid these complaints.

Utility bill is more than promised by the sales person.

· Savings are usually based on past years utility bills – which may or may not reflect the weather of the current year.

· Obtain savings claims in writing and ask if the business guarantees to make up the difference if the savings claims are not accurate.

Damage was done to roof, gutter, vents or wall during installation

· Ask who will pay for damage, if done by the business and make sure that’s written in the contract. Make sure the business is licensed and insured for the work to be done.

Panels were not installed in a timely manner.

· Ask for a date of installation in writing. Read the contract to find out when you can cancel if the panels are not installed promptly.

Electrical system in house where panels are to be installed is too outdated to add solar panels/new meter.

· The new panels and electric wiring will usually need to be inspected by a licensing authority. If you believe your electrical system is outdated, ask your licensing authority prior to signing a contract if they will approve solar panels being installed.

The business selling or leasing the solar panels says that they are working in conjunction, in partnership with, or in cooperation with your utility.

· Verify any partnerships, with your utility company, prior to signing a contract.

Delays in receiving permit, if required.

· Check with municipal agencies on current average permit process time to have a realistic project timeline.

For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org and for the latest, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau.

Beware of Memorial Day Scams Aimed at Military Personnel

5/8/2013

Posted on 5/8/2013 by

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who serve and remember those who have died in war. But sadly, it has also become a key opportunity for scammers to target those who are serving or have served their nation, especially elderly veterans. As Memorial Day approaches, the Better Business Bureau urges consumers and donors to be aware of scammers that feed off the military.

BBB Military Line, the military arm of the Better Business Bureau, provides free resources, such as financial literacy information, access to BBB services and scam alerts, and complaint and dispute resolution for all branches of the U.S. military. BBB warns of the following scams that are directed at service members:

High priced military loans - Advertisements for loans that promise a guarantee, instant approval or no credit check will often come with hidden fees and extremely high interest rates. Remember that legitimate lenders will never guarantee a loan before you apply and loans that require an upfront fee are likely a scam.

Veterans’ benefits buyout plans - This buyout plan will offer a cash payment in exchange for a disabled veteran’s future benefits or pension payments. The cash amount is only about 30-40% of what the veteran is entitled to. These buyout plans can be structured in several different ways, so research thoroughly before signing anything over.

Fake rental properties - Stolen photos of legitimate rental properties are used in advertisements that promise military discounts and other incentives. Service members will have to pay a fee via wire transfer for security payments or a key to the property – in the end they will receive nothing.

Phony jury duty summons - A caller clams to work for the local court system and states that the service member did not show up for jury duty and now has a warrant out for their arrest. When the victim says they never got a summons, the caller will ask for a credit card number or Social Security number to clear up the matter.

Misleading car sales – Websites posting classified ads will offer false discounts for military personnel or claim to be from soldiers who need to sell their vehicle fast since they have been deployed. Upfront fees will be required via wire transfer, or the vehicle will have problems after purchase.

Expensive life insurance policies – Members of the military are often the targets of high pressured sales pitches that offer unnecessary, expensive life insurance policies. Solicitors may make false statements regarding the benefits that these policies offer.

BBB recommends the following tips to avoid scams:

Do your research. Get as much information as you can about a business or charity before you pay. Check out a business’ BBB Business Review at bbb.org or a charity’s Charity Report at give.org.

Don’t wire transfer money to anyone you don’t know. Money sent via wire transfer is practically impossible to track. Pay by credit card whenever possible, since you can dispute charges easily.

Protect your computer. Don’t click on links within unsolicited emails. Don’t enter personal information on unfamiliar websites. Make sure that you have updated anti-virus software installed and use a firewall at all times.

Put an Active Duty alert on your credit reports when deployed. Doing so will minimize the risk of identity theft because creditors and businesses cannot issue or grant credit until verifying identity.

For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org and for the latest, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau and facebook.com/Militaryline.

Make Sure Mom’s Flowers Arrive on Time and Looking Beautiful

5/8/2013

Posted on 5/8/2013 by

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest holidays for gifts, cards, flowers, candy and phone calls. If you’re showing your love with flowers this year, make sure they are on-time and just right.

In 2012, BBB received more than 3,900 complaints against florists. Many of the complaints were a result of the flowers being late, wrong, or just never delivered. When looking to find a florist, whether online or in person, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable business. BBB recommends the following tips when purchasing flowers:

Ask about guarantees. Request a written receipt for the order and ask about the business's refund policy if the delivery is late, never arrives or is in bad condition.

Make sure the florist has information on where to reach you. Delivery instructions may need to be confirmed or a driver may need additional directions. Check to see that the flowers can still be delivered even if the recipient is not home. Try to plan the delivery around a time that she will be home to avoid damaged or stolen flowers.

Research florists. Check out a florist's BBB Business Review to see any history of complaints, and additional details about the company. Ask friends and family which florist they recommend.

Allow time for shipping and delivery. Check with the florist or website to be certain that you have allowed enough time for delivery. Make sure that this date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order. If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges will be less than last-minute or overnight shipping. Some florists offer discounts for deliveries a day or two before a major holiday, since that helps them deal with the rush.

Have a back-up plan. Make sure you understand the store’s guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have if the arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t come through.

For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org and for the latest, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau.

How to Claim Your Unclaimed Property

5/8/2013

Posted on 5/8/2013 by

Do you have unclaimed property? If so, how would you know? Is it worth it to pay a service to help you identify unclaimed property?

Unclaimed property describes accounts in financial institutions and companies that have had no activity or account holder contact for one year or more. This can include savings or checking accounts, refunds, customer overpayments, contents of safe deposit boxes, etc.

To begin searching for lost property, check legitimate sites like missingmoney.com, which is endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). This site has official records of unclaimed property from every state and most U.S. territories, plus Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec in Canada. Check for property in every jurisdiction in which you have resided. It is free to search; however, you may have to pay a small fee to obtain the property.

According to NAUPA, there are many businesses (sometimes called finders or locators) that find legitimate lost property for owners and inform them how to obtain it for a fee, usually a percentage of the total (some states limit the fee to 10 percent). Sometimes, companies will hire these firms to find you before they turn the funds over to the state. Ultimately the finder will ask you to sign a contract.

The majority of firms that provide these services work within the law, but there are also some unclaimed property scams around. Before signing any contract, BBB recommends caution. If you are unsure that the firm is legitimate, contact your BBB or the unclaimed property office in your state for more information.

To prevent accumulating unclaimed property, NAUPA suggests the following tips:

Deposit or cash all checks for dividends, wages, insurance settlements, etc. without delay.

Respond to legitimate requests for confirmation of account balances and stock holder proxies.

If you have a safe deposit box, record its number, bank name and address, and give the extra key to a trusted person.

Prepare and file a will detailing the disposition of your assets.

For more information on how to recover unclaimed property, check out unclaimed.org/what/. For additional consumer tips, please visit bbb.org.

2013 Torch Awards - Recipients Announced

4/22/2013

Posted on 4/22/2013 by

2013 BBB Torch Awards – Winners announced

HONOLULU (April 18, 2013) – Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) today announced the recipients of the 2013 BBB Torch Awards before a large crowd of business, civic and nonprofit leaders. Child Family Service, PoP-A-Lock Honolulu, HiEmployment and Veracity Payment Solutions were named winners by this year’s judges. Steve Sue, founder of BizGym.com and Lemonade Alley was honored with the Keauhou Award, which celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Companies and organizations who are doing right by their consumers, employees, vendors and, in the case of public charities, donors, need to be honored and celebrated; the BBB Torch Awards allows us to do just that,” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s BBB. “Trustworthy and ethical business practices are a win-win for everyone. This year’s BBB Torch Awards finalists and winners demonstrate that upholding the BBB’s ethical standards is a hallmark of successful companies and organizations.”

2013 BBB Torch Award recipients in each category are;

Public Charity – Child & Family Service.
This organization was cited for its clear understanding of its mission and integration into the community by embracing the total family from keiki to Kupuna.

Other finalists included Assistance League of Hawaii and Junior Achievement Hawaii.

Small Business – PoP-A-Lock Honolulu
This small business was recognized not only for their commitment to the BBB Standards for Trust, but for the programs they deliver to Hawaii’s Community.

Other finalists in the Small Business category were Kama’aina Metals & Jewelry and Global Village.

Medium Business – HiEmployment
HiEmployment impressed the judged with its incredible display of corporate culture and values. Their in house practices and client testimony speaks volumes about this organizations commitment to the BBB Standards of Trust.

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii and publishing firm Element Media were the other category finalists.

Large Business – Veracity Payment Solutions.
Veracity Payment Solutions was honored for its transparency and how they have cultivated an organization built within an integrity and ethical based framework.

Other finalists in the Large Business category were Honolulu Home Loans and Ruby Tuesday Hawaii.

Steve Sue received the BBB Keauhou award. The award celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship here in Hawaii. Ke au hou translates into The New Era or The New Wave.

Steve, founded BizGym.com and Lemonade Alley, programs that not only help entrepreneurs and business owners but also deliver essential life skills to younger adults and children.

Established in 1945, the Better Business Bureau® of Hawaii (BBB) is a nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest marketplace behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses

BBB Warns of Charity Scams, Offers Giving Tips in Wake of Boston Marathon Bombing

4/17/2013

Posted on 4/17/2013 by

Arlington, VA – April 16, 2013 – At least one poorly-conceived charity scam has already emerged in the wake of the explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon yesterday, and more are likely. BBB Wise Giving Alliance (“Alliance”), the national charity monitoring arm of the Better Business Bureau, and BBB Serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont (“BBB Boston”) cautions donors about potential red flags concerning tragedy-related philanthropy.

“Tragedies inspire people to give,” said H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of the Alliance, “but, tragedies – whether natural disasters or manmade catastrophes – also inspire scammers to take advantage of that generosity. Social media, in particular, makes it very easy to reach a lot of people quickly, when emotions are running high and people feel the need to take action, any action, to help.”

BBB Wise Giving Alliance urges donors to give thoughtfully and avoid those seeking to take advantage of the generosity of others:

BBB Wise Giving Alliance: Ten Tips for Giving with Confidence

1. Thoughtful Giving

Take the time to check out the charity to avoid wasting your generosity by donating to a questionable or poorly managed effort. The first request for a donation may not be the best choice. Be proactive and find trusted charities that are providing assistance.

2. Help Spread the Wise Giving Word

Remind your friends and family to be cautious about giving requests in the wake of such a tragedy and ask them to spread the word as well. People are emotionally moved by events like these and may react before they have time to carefully consider.

3. State Government Registration

About 40 of the 50 states require charities to register with a state government agency (usually a division of the State Attorney General’s office) before they solicit for charitable gifts. If the charity is not registered, that may be a significant red flag.

4. Respecting Victims and Their Families

Organizations raising funds should get permission from the families to use either the names of the victims and/or any photographs of them. Some charities raising funds for the Colorado movie theater and Newtown school victims did not do this and were the subject of criticism from victims’ families.

5. How Will Donations Be Used?

Watch out for vague appeals that don’t identify the intended use of funds. For example, how will the donations help victims’ families? Also, unless told otherwise, donors will assume that funds collected quickly in the wake of a tragedy will be spent just as quickly. See if the appeal identifies when the collected funds will be used.

6. What if a Family Sets Up Its Own Assistance Fund?

Some families may decide to set up their own assistance funds. Be mindful that such funds may not be set up as charities. Also, make sure that collected monies are received and administered by a third party such as a bank, CPA or lawyer. This will help provide oversight and ensure the collected funds are used appropriately (e.g., paying for funeral costs, counseling, and other tragedy-related needs.)

7. Online Cautions

Never click on links to charities on unfamiliar websites or in texts or emails. These may take you to a lookalike website where you will be asked to provide personal financial information or to click on something that downloads harmful malware into your computer. Don’t assume that charity recommendations on Facebook, blogs or other social media have already been vetted.

8. Financial Transparency

After funds are raised for a tragedy, it is even more important for organizations to provide an accounting of how funds were spent. Transparent organizations will post this information on their websites so that anyone can find out and not have to wait until the audited financial statements are available sometime in the future.

9. Newly Created or Established Organizations

This is a personal giving choice, but an established charity will more likely have the experience to quickly address the circumstances and have a track record that can be evaluated. A newly formed organization may be well-meaning but will be difficult to check out and may not be well managed.

10. Tax Deductibility

Not all organizations collecting funds to assist this tragedy are tax exempt as charities under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors can support these other entities but keep this in mind if they want to take a deduction for federal income tax purposes. In addition, contributions that are donor-restricted to help a specific individual/family are not deductible as charitable donations, even if the recipient organization is a charity.

Other Resources:

BBB Wise Giving Alliance is asking anyone who receives a suspicious charitable solicitation to report it to BBB Report a Scam.

The FBI has the lead investigative role following the bombing. Anyone who has information, visual images and/or details regarding the explosions should call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324), prompt #3. The FBI says no piece of information or detail is too small.

The American Red Cross says it has enough blood and financial resources committed to Boston at this time, but asks that people make appointments to give blood in the weeks and months ahead.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino offers the Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline at 617-635-4500 for anyone with concerns about their family members or friends who were at the race.

The Mayor’s office also suggested resources from the National Association of School Psychologists to help children deal with tragedies.

About BBB Wise Giving Alliance: BBB Wise Giving Alliance produces reports on over 1,300 nationally soliciting charitable organizations, and local BBBs report on another 10,000 local and regional charities. BBB Wise Giving Alliance does not rank charities but rather seeks to assist donors in making informed judgments by providing objective evaluations of national charities based on 20 standards that address charity governance, finances, fund raising, appeal accuracy, and other issues. The outcomes of the evaluations are available online at www.give.org. BBB Wise Giving Alliance is an affiliate of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

About BBB: For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2012, consumers turned to BBB 124 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4.5 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 113 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

Getting Bugged? Make Sure Your Pest Management is Handled by a Pro

4/12/2013

Posted on 4/12/2013 by

April is National Pest Management Month, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). When your pest problem gets too big for a flyswatter, a mousetrap or do-it-yourself spray, it's time to call in a professional service. In 2012, more than 786,000 people turned to Better Business Bureau for information on pest control services.

Take the time needed to select a reputable business, and make sure you’re doing business with someone you trust. BBB and NPMA recommend the following tips for finding a qualified pest management professional:

Check them out. Evaluate pest control professionals and companies that are members of national, state or local associations. Always check out the business’ BBB Business Review at bbb.org first and visit Pestworld.org to find a local professional. Ask friends and neighbors to recommend pest control companies they have used successfully and ask how satisfied they were with the service.

Always deal with a qualified and licensed pest management company. Ask to see the license or other credentials of the pest control professional that comes to solve your pest problem.

Don’t rush. If a sizable amount of money is involved, get bids from several pest management companies. Since you are paying for professional knowledge as well as skillful application of pesticides, look for someone whose judgment you can trust.

Understand before you sign. Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the household pest to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem. Find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment. If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary.

Don’t fall for high-pressure sales tactics. Buy value, not price. Beware of companies that offer bargains that sound too good to be true. Be wary of companies that come to your home uninvited and offer to give your house a free inspection for pests or press you for immediate and/or costly treatments.

For more home improvement tips you can trust, visit bbb.org and for the latest, follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau. Homeowners can also call state pest control regulatory agencies for information regarding the status of pest management companies. In most states the regulatory agency is the State Department of Agriculture. Canadian consumers can check out the Canadian Pest Management Association for more information.

Top Five Tips for Mobile Banking

4/5/2013

Posted on 4/5/2013 by

In our tech-savvy world, everything is readily accessible and convenient…even banking. Gone are the days of waiting in line at the bank or even waiting for your computer to boot up. Now you can access your bank account from anywhere in the world via your smart phone or tablet.

But consumers need to be more cautious than ever when banking through any device, as hackers can prey on the unsuspecting. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation, part of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, offers these five tips on how to keep your identity safe and your money in the bank:

Password-protect your phone or tablet so that only you can access the information on your device. This will help protect you if your phone or tablet is ever lost or stolen.

Never provide personal information unless you initiate contact with your bank or other financial institution. Financial institutions should not request account numbers, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information through email or text messages. If you’re not sure about a request, contact your bank by calling number on the back of your debit or credit card.

Don’t stay “auto-logged in” to your accounts. Even though it’s convenient, it increases the risk that an unauthorized user will access your accounts.

Delete old texts from your bank to reduce your exposure to fraud.

Report lost or stolen devices immediately to your wireless provider and financial institutions.

Read more from FINRA about how to protect your money.

For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org and for the latest, follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau.

Watch Out for These Small Business Scams

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by

Consumers aren’t the only victims of fraud. Every year, thousands of small businesses are targets of fraudulent or deceptive sales practices. Protect your business from scams by learning what to look out for. Often, it’s only a matter of identifying suspicious situations and asking the right questions.

Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have put together a list of some of the top business scam situations:

Business opportunities. Many small business owners are approached to invest in other business opportunities. Promoters may even claim that the venture will increase customer traffic flow into the current business or that little effort is required to collect high profits. Before jumping into a business collaboration, make sure you know the value of the product and its true costs. Always make sure to check out the business at bbb.org.

Charity pitches. Most businesses are regularly asked to donate funds to needy causes, from requests to support the neighborhood’s latest fundraising project to appeals for sizeable charitable contributions. While many requests are legitimate, every year small business people become victims of fraudulent or deceptive charitable solicitation schemes. Make sure to always check out the charity at give.org.

Coupon books. Small business operators are often approached to participate in coupon book promotions. The business offers discounts or extras in the coupon books that are sold by promoters to consumers. Problems occur if the promoters change the terms of the coupons to make them more attractive to buyers, when the books are oversold or when books are primarily distributed outside the firm’s normal business area. Make sure the coupon book is being promoted by someone you trust, and that the terms and conditions are clearly spelled out.

Overpayment scams. Your firm usually receives an unexpected telephone contact first. Sometimes an advance call is made to find out what brand of supplies or equipment the business uses. On the return call, the caller claims to represent a reputable company with which the firm often does business. The caller may state that surplus merchandise is available at a reduced price due to a cancellation or over-order by another purchaser. Don’t be fooled. Accepting this gift may mean other obligations have been accepted as well, and you’ll be left with demands for payment and threats to turn your account over to a collection agency or attorney.

For more business tips you can trust, visit bbb.org

For more fraud prevention tips, check out the FTC website.

Tips for Driveway Improvements

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by

Tips for Driveway Improvements

An attractive, well-kept driveway can help a home make a good first impression, provide protection against flooding, and even add value to your investment. But replacing a driveway can be a costly endeavor.

Better Business Bureau advises home owners to take the time to choose a contractor you can trust. When looking to hire a contractor for your driveway, BBB recommends the following tips:

Check references. Ask for local references and verify that the contractor is in compliance with all local licensing, bonding and insuring requirements. Always check out a contractor on bbb.org before doing business with them. Before you agree to a paving or paving repair job, there are three things to check: the status of the contractor's license, whether the contractor's bond is current, and the contractor's complaint resolution history with BBB. You may want to make sure that the contracting company is a member of an industry trade association such as National Asphalt Pavement Association.

Get it in writing. Be sure that the contract spells out which party is responsible for grading and subgrading, equipment and materials, labor, pavement thickness and smoothness, etc. Make sure the payment schedule is satisfactory and that there is a clear guarantee or warranty for the work. Also, get in writing an agreement that your yard is to be returned to pre-construction condition. Don’t sign an agreement without understanding it.

Know your rights. If you hire a contractor, pay by check or credit card when the work is completed to your satisfaction. If you are dealing with a traveling contractor, be extra cautious and make sure to ask for identification and note the license plate number on the contractor's vehicle. If you get “buyer’s remorse,” you may be able to change your mind after the contract is signed:

In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission has a three-day cooling off rule for in-home purchases.

In Canada, most provinces have a ten-day cooling off period for door-to-door purchases.

For more tips, visit bbb.org/news, and for the latest news check out our Facebook page.

Better Business Bureau Expels Los Angeles Organization for Failure to Meet Standards

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by

Arlington, VA (March 12, 2013) – BBB of the Southland, the Better Business Bureau that served the greater Los Angeles marketplace, has been expelled from the national organization, has lost its right to use the BBB name and logo, and was cut off from services provided by the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), the umbrella organization.

“For 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been the leader in advancing marketplace trust between businesses and consumers through industry self-regulation,” said Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO of CBBB. “We hold businesses to high standards for honesty, transparency, fairness and integrity, and we hold ourselves to those same standards. Over a period of more than two years, BBB of the Southland failed to resolve concerns about compliance with several standards required of BBBs, including standards relating to accreditation, reporting on businesses, and handling complaints.”

Hurt first shared the news in an interview yesterday with ABC’s Brian Ross, whose “20/20” investigation more than two years ago found that BBB of the Southland was accrediting companies without checking their credentials to be sure they were eligible. In a “sting” type operation, a blogger working with ABC filled out an application for the terrorist organization Hamas, which briefly appeared on the local website as a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. Hurt told Ross that his original story was “painful,” but that it helped the organization realize that the local group, even though it was the largest in the BBB network, had to change or be expelled. “When you are a standards-based organization, there is no such thing as ‘too big to fail,’” Hurt told Ross.

“BBB is not abandoning the LA market,” Hurt said emphatically. “We have been preparing for this possibility for months, and the entire BBB system is dedicated to building a strong, standards-based Better Business Bureau in the Los Angeles market. We have established a ‘virtual BBB’ with experienced staff from across the country to serve businesses in Los Angeles and to serve consumers from anywhere who do business with Los Angeles area companies. That’s our short-term plan. In the long-term, we will build a strong, standards-based BBB that consumers can depend upon and that businesses large and small can participate in with pride.”

“We have a new website at la.bbb.org that allows consumers to file complaints and businesses to register with BBB,” Hurt noted. “The website will be updated frequently as new information is available. We will also publish an e-newsletter for those who want to be updated on a regular basis. We appreciate the patience of businesses and consumers while we rebuild.”

Hurt emphasized that current Accredited Businesses in Los Angeles can maintain their accreditation and continue to use the BBB seal during the transition. They will be asked to recommit to BBB’s “Code of Business Practices” and agree to resolve complaints in a timely manner. Consumers can access a “Directory of BBB Accredited Businesses in the Greater Los Angeles Market” online, as well. BBB Accredited Businesses will be receiving a letter inviting them to continue their affiliation with BBB.

BBBs must meet nine BBB Performance and Accountability Standards, including 67 specific requirements relating to organizational elements such as financial, governance and technology, as well as BBB-specific elements such as accreditation of businesses. The BBB Operating Committee (BOC), made up of experienced BBB CEOs, is charged with overseeing operations of the 113 BBBs across the U.S. and Canada, and is responsible for setting and enforcing standards so that BBBs are reviewed and held accountable by their peers.

The specific concerns about BBB of the Southland are part of a confidential, internal review. After an exhaustive and fair governance process, including two in-person hearings, the BOC voted to expel BBB of the Southland for recurrent noncompliance with BBB standards. After BBB of the Southland exercised its right to appeal to the CBBB board of directors, the board voted to uphold the BOC’s decision, which is final. The former BBB of the Southland is required to stop using the BBB name and logo, effective immediately.

Los Angeles area businesses that are currently BBB Accredited can continue to use the BBB seal during the transition. More information is available at la.bbb.org, and additional information will be available in the coming days and weeks. Anyone interested can sign up for an e-newsletter that will provide periodic updates.

ABOUT BBB:

For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2012, consumers turned to BBB more than 124 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4.5 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 113 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

New Merchant Surcharges on Credit Purchases

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by

What can consumers do?

· Use cash for smaller purchases; some retailers may offer you a discount if you pay with cash

· Look for notices about merchant surcharges; retailers are required to let you know so you can decide beforehand if you want to pay with a credit card

· If you know and trust the merchant, you might want to consider using a debit card with “bricks and mortar” establishments

· Use a credit card for online purchases when you need the greater protections that credit cards offer

· Get into the habit of monitoring your bank account and credit cards accounts online

For more information on managing your credit, check out BBB’s “Managing Credit – Made Simple” at bbb.org/credit-management

Please note this article only applies to U.S. residents only.

How Fake FTC Emails are Tricking Business Owners

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by

A new phishing scam is making the rounds disguised as a consumer complaint notification from the FTC. If you receive it, just hit "delete."

How the Scam Works:

You get an email that appears to be from the FTC with the subject line: "Notification of a Consumer Complaint." (Sample email below) The email states that a complaint has been filed against your business, and you need to review and respond to the allegations.

The email provides a link for you to supposedly click through to the FTC website and download a PDF of the complaint details. The link really goes to a third party website, and the file you download is actually malware that scans your computer for personal and banking information.

Like most scams, this one is not set in stone. Several variations already exist, and scammers will continue to alter the emails as news of the con spreads. Watch out for changes in the subject line and the complaint details. Older reports of the scam involve emails that urge recipients to call a fake FTC help hotline or complete an online complaint form.

How to Spot a Phishing Email:

Don't believe what you see. Scammers can make links look like they lead to legitimate websites (as in the example above) and emails appear to come from a different sender. It's also easy to steal the colors, logos and email header of the FTC or any other established organization.
Be wary of unexpected emails that contain links or attachments. Do not click on the links or open the files.
Check a link's true destination by hovering over it and looking in the lower right hand corner of your browser.
Try Googling the organization or the contents of the email. If the email is a scam, this is likely to reveal an alert or bring you to the organization's real website, where they may have posted further information.

For More Information

Check out the Federal Trade Commission's official warning about the scam.

To find out more about scams, check out BBB Scam Stopper.

HAWAII’S BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ANNOUNCES 2013 BBB TORCH AWARDS FINALISTS

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by

HONOLULU – Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB), the leader in advancing marketplace trust, has announced thefinalists of its 2013 BBB Torch Awards program.

“The BBB Torch Awards program celebrates businesses and public charities that demonstrate and maintain solid commitment to high standards for trust and accountability,” said Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawaii’s BBB.“This year’s finalists reflect our mission as leaders in advancing trust in Hawaii’s marketplace. We honor their dedicated efforts toward an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers, and charities and donors can trust each other.”

Representatives of past BBB Torch Award recipients judged the entries and selected the finalists. The 2013 BBB Torch Awards finalists are:

Small Business Category: Global Village, Kama’aina Metals & Jewelry and PoP-A-Lock of Honolulu.
Medium-Sized Business Category: Element Media Hawaii, HiEmployment, and Staffing Solutions of Hawaii.
Large Business Category: Honolulu Home Loans, Ruby Tuesday Hawaii, and Veracity Payment Solutions.
Public Charity Category: Assistance League of Hawaii, Child & Family Service, and Junior Achievement.

Winners will be announced at the 2013 BBB Torch Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 18^th at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Henk Rogers, founder of Blue Startups and Darren Kimura, CEO of Sopogy, will participate in a panel on Innovation and Ethics prior to the luncheon. This interactive panel discussion led by, John Webster, Director of the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program at Chaminade University will engage the audience and talk about these entrepreneurs business philosophies and the future of business in Hawaii.

Individual tickets are $150 for BBB Accredited Businesses and nonprofit organizations, and $200 for all others. Individual panel seats and Corporate table sponsorships are also available.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the BBB Torch Awards, call Hawaii’s BBB at 628-3901, from the Neighbor Islands call toll free at 1-877-222-6551, or visit hawaii.bbb.org..

Phony Officials Trick Consumers into "Verifying" Info on Do Not Call Registry

3/6/2013

Posted on 3/6/2013 by
Scammers have been making phone calls posing as representatives of the National Do Not Call Registry. The calls claim to provide an opportunity to sign up for the registry or ask consumers to verify their info. Of course, the callers are really trying to solicit personal information, which opens victims up to identity fraud.

How the Scam Works:

Someone calls you claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry, the FTC or Canada's National Do Not Call List. The registry "official" asks for personal information, such as name, address and Social Security number. The scam has several variations. In one, the caller wants to verify that you are on the National Do Not Call Registry. In another, he/she claims to give you a chance to register your phone number.

Just hang up the phone; this situation is always a scam. Representatives from the registry will not call you. And sharing personal with the caller will just put you at risk for identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself from Scam Calls:

Don't share your personal information if someone calls you claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry or even the FTC itself.
Do not call the scammers back.
Remember that your participation in the National Do Not Call Registry does not expire. Do not listen to claims otherwise.
If you want to add your number to the Do Not Call Registry, go to Donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register. If you want to verify your number, use this feature on the registry's website.
Canadians have their own National Do Not Call List. Register for that here.

For More Information

For frequently asked questions about the Do Not Call Registry, check their website.

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

National Consumer Protection Week – Sign Up for a Tip-a-Day!

2/25/2013

Posted on 2/25/2013 by

To celebrate the 15th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), BBB is offering savvy consumers seven important tips. Sign up here to receive a BBB tip-a-day on the latest consumer topics.

NCPW is March 3-9, and government organizations and nonprofits across the country are offering consumers a wealth of tips and information from federal and state governments and non-profit partner organizations. BBB is, once again, encouraging every consumer to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed purchasing decisions.

NCPW.gov offers consumers a wide selection of free materials to learn how to protect their privacy, stay safe online, manage their money, avoid identity theft, understand mortgages and steer clear of frauds and scams.

For more consumer tips visit, bbb.org/news and like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest Facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau. For information scams, visit BBB Scam Stopper at bbb.org/scam.

Job Seeker Scam Uses Fake Checks with BBB Name

2/25/2013

Posted on 2/25/2013 by

Eager to break into acting or modelling? Don't let your ambition get the better of you. Use caution when applying to jobs and don't fall for a check cashing scam that uses Better Business Bureau's name.

How the Scam Works:

You reply to a help wanted ad for a modelling, acting or promotional gig. After you send your resume and/or introductory message, you start getting emails from an "agent" who tells you that you've gotten the job.

Starting your new gig is easy, according to the emails. Your agent mails you a check that supposedly covers your hourly fee and expenses, such as transportation and meals. You only need to deduct $350 "to confirm your bookings with the production acoounlnt" and wire the money ASAP to the name and address provided.

In a twist, scammers are using phony shipping labels to mail the checks. Job seekers report receiving envelopes that have Better Business Bureau's name and return address on them. (see a sample check below) Scammers are using the BBB name (and likely name of other established organizations) to lend credibility to their con.

If you follow the email's instructions and deposit the check, the full amount will appear to be in your bank account immediately. However, it takes several days for the check to completely clear. When the bank sees the check is a fraud, they will deduct the money from your account. If you wired the money to the "production accountant," you will be out the $350.

How to Spot a Fake Job Ad:

Job postings and reply emails with a lot of grammatical errors and misspellings are likely scams. The typo "production acoounlnt" above is a classic example.
Ads containing the phrases "Immediate Start" and "No Experience Needed" are popular in scam ads.
If a job looks suspicious, search for it in Google. If the result comes up in many other cities with the exact same job post, it is likely a scam.
Be very cautious of any job that asks you to share personal information or hand over money. Scammers will often use the guise of running a credit check, setting up direct deposit or paying for training.
Check out the business's website to make sure the opening is posted there. If you are still skeptical, call the business to check on the position.

For More Information

See BBB's information pages, for more tips about avoiding check cashing and employment scams.

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

Spend a Day Together Without Breaking the Budget

2/11/2013

Posted on 2/11/2013 by

That time of giving is back at us again. This time it will be for our significant other. Yes, our partners deserve the best but that does not necessarily mean spending an elaborate amount of money. This Valentine’s impress your loved ones and your wallet.

Hawaii’s BBB has come up with several date ideas that fit different agendas while still fitting the budget.

Staycation:

Stay home this evening and cook a meal together. Set up the dining table and enjoy a cooked meal together. You two will bond over your culinary teamwork and the conversation at the dinner table. After dinner opt for a movie and lounge around in the living room. Save money by renting a movie, watching a DVD you already have, borrow from the local library, or watch one on T.V.

Natural Beauty:

If you two are the outdoorsy type then a date out climbing is perfect. Pack a meal and some water in a backpack and take a hike. Smell the breeze, enjoy the scenery, and take in the view when you reach the end. A leisurely hike will remind you of nature’s beauty and the beauty of spending so little for a romantic time.

Adventurous:

Experience and discover something new together. Drive off to an area you two have never been to. Bring your camera to capture every moment and carry a little bit of cash for snacks a long the way. I will guarantee when you two go out into this new area, where ever it may be, you will find something you’ve never thought existed like a new culinary experience, a beautiful scene, or a small little store. Whatever it is that you may discover, the best discovery will be knowing the existence of a fun time with little money spent.

Whatever you two choose to do on Valentines Day the most important thing to know that this day is not about the money spent but the time spent together.

Hawaii's BBB Starts to Publish Details of Complaints

2/1/2013

Posted on 2/1/2013 by

Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau is excited to announce that it will be publishing detailed content of consumer complaints and business responses in its BBB business reviews.

BBB made this change in response to feedback from consumers. Research showed consumers were looking for more detailed information on the types of complaints companies receive and how those complaints were ultimately resolved. This change also gives companies more of a voice in the complaint resolution process, allowing consumers to directly observe how they take care of their customer concerns.

“BBB complaint process connects consumers with the right people in the involved businesses to start a meaningful conversation to resolve issues. Now that the conversation is visible to the public, businesses can demonstrate how they address customer complaints fairly, which helps consumers decide if those businesses are trustworthy.” Said Lisa Nakao, Director of Operations for Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau.

Hawaii’s BBB will begin publishing complaint detail in February, 2013. “We will display detail of complaints filed digitally since November of 2012, and going forward expect to publish detail for about 1800 complaints per year,” said Nakao.

Previously, complaints were classified into categories with the type of each complaint being reported, along with basic information on how that complaint was closed. Complaint detail gives viewers a chance to judge the merit of the complaint for themselves, and importantly, to see exactly how the company responded to and handled the complaint. Personally identifiable information will be redacted to protect the privacy rights of people involved in each complaint.

BBB reports on and will publish complaints for three years from the date they are closed.

Consumers want information they can trust. Complaint detail, combined with licensing and other verified information in BBB business reviews give people seeking trustworthy businesses more information than they’ll find anywhere else. BBB provides free reviews on over 19,000 businesses throughout Hawaii and Guam including those that are not BBB Accredited. To search for trustworthy businesses, go to hawaii.bbb.org. Hawaii’s BBB services are supported by over 2600 BBB Accredited Businesses throughout the state of Hawaii, which adhere to BBB Standards for Trust.

ABOUT HAWAII’S BBB
Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at www.bbb.org.

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for December 2012

2/1/2013

Posted on 2/1/2013 by

Most Asked About Businesses

Most Asked About Businesses

Types of Business Inquiries

Contractors - General		1704
Dating Service		1421
Electricians		1294
Plumbing Contractors		1218
Travel Agencies & Bureaus		927
Real Estate		907
Roofing Contractors		896
Property Management		847
Construction & Remodeling Services		837
Jewelers - Retail		710

Most Complained About Industries

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Airlines	7	100%
Contractors - Solar Energy	7	100%
Auto Dealers (New/Used)	6	66.7%
Auto Renting & Leasing	6	50%
Real Estate	6	100%
Fitness Centers	5	0%
Property Management	5	100%
Restaurants	5	50%
Hotels	4	66.7%
Travel Clubs	4	66.7%

Analysis of data for December 2012:

Overall volume of activities (Compared to Dec 2011):

Web Traffic: (11.74% increase)
Complaint Opened: (9.61% decrease)
Requests for information: (10.16% increase)
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists:(7.55% decrease)
Total BBBOnLine Seal Clicks (including seal clicks from Dynamic seal) for Hawaii Participants: (5.62% increase)
Request A Quote requests: (0.37% increase)
Mobile BBB Business Review:(15.59% increase)

Hawaii's BBB services are directly supported by local BBB Accredited Businesses. If a business has been accredited by Hawaii's BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets our Accreditation Standards.

Consumer Alert: Door to Door Solicitors Harassing Hawaii Residents

1/31/2013

Posted on 1/31/2013 by

Hawaii’s BBB is alerting residence about aggressive sales tactics being used by door to door solicitors.

Hilo residents have reported concerns of aggressive salesmen from a company called Advantage Diversified Products.

Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau wants to remind residents to:

Listen carefully and be aware of high pressure sales tactics. Some unscrupulous door-to-door sellers will put pressure on you to close the deal at that moment, and even make special offers to entice you.

Do your research. Ask the salesmen for written material about the company and let them know you are going to research them first before doing business with them. Check the company’s Business Review with BBB. Many communities have licensing and permit requirements for selling door-to-door; some communities do not allow door to door solicitation.

Don’t fall for empty promises. The seller might claim to offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, but many complainants had no way to contact the seller if they were dissatisfied. Additionally, the seller might claim that the product is capable of more than it really is.

Never pay with cash. When paying by check or credit card you have at least some way to protect your money — such as canceling the check or reporting it as fraud to your credit card company. If you pay with cash and are dissatisfied, you’re at the mercy of the salesman.

Know your rights. If you decide to make a purchase, ask for a dated cancellation form and a dated receipt.

Hawaii's BBB Top 10 scams of 2012

1/30/2013

Posted on 1/30/2013 by
Top 10 Scams in Hawaii As Reported to the Better Business Bureau

1.) Sweepstakes and Prizes Scam
Consumers are told that they have won millions of dollars, cars, etc. However, payment needs to be made by purchasing a Green Dot money card and releasing the card number to the supposed sweepstakes company to receive the “prize”, which never arrives. Real winners are never asked to pay to claim prizes.

2.) BBB Pretender Scam
Businesses and some consumers received supposed complaint notifications or update requests from people purported to be from BBB via e-mail. The link within the emails or zip file attachments contained a virus.

3.) Loan Modification Scam
Via phone or mail, consumers are offered assistance in loan modification per “new government program”. Consumers are required to pay upfront for the service, and to share their sensitive financial information. It is against the federal law for businesses to charge for this type of service until the promised service is substantially completed.

4.) Phishing / Vishing Scam (Non BBB Pretenders)
Consumers are contacted by various supposed financial institutions or government agencies via email or phone, phishing for their sensitive information to be sold or misused later. The real institutions will never ask for sensitive information via email or phone unless you initiated the contact and they are verifying your identity.

5.) Collection Call Scam
Consumers are contacted via phone regarding the supposed debt from an online payday loan from the past, pressured to pay or be arrested. Real collection agencies are required to notify you in writing about the alleged debt, and do not send law enforcement officers to have you arrested.

6.) Work At Home Scam
Consumers are offered amazing money making opportunities without clear indication of what the “jobs” entail until fees are paid. Once paid, consumers are instructed to place a similar ad that enticed them to pay “fees” to find out what the opportunities were about. Or, consumers were offered to be secret shoppers or payment liquidator (check-casher) for a supposed foreign company. They received checks in the mail that eventually returned “uncollectible” to be cashed immediately to wire money.

7.) Grant Offer Scam
Consumers are contacted via phone and are offered a free grant of several thousand dollars for unrestricted usage, just for being a good taxpayer, etc. All they need to do is to pay a few hundred dollars for processing. Real grants are offered for very specific causes, and you will need to write proposals to apply for them, and will never be asked to pay a “processing fee” to receive grants if you are awarded.

8.) Rental Scam
Consumers find very attractive rental properties in CraigList or other online listing. The supposed landlord is out of town and all communications are done through email. Consumers are promised keys in the mail after security deposits are wired.

9.) Fake Check / Overpayment Scam
Consumers or businesses receive a check in the mail for various reasons, including payment for items sold online or offline, in the amount that exceeds the price asked by the seller. Sellers are asked to cash the check and forward the excess payment via wire to a supposed third party related to the transaction.

10.) Anti-Virus or Spyware Scam
Consumers are contacted out of blue, offered assistance to fix supposed problem with their computers. Consumers give access to their computers to the representative to “fix” the supposed problem. Instead, unwanted spyware is installed on consumers’ computers.

Small Business Tip: Is a Smartphone Credit Card Processor Right for Your Business?

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by

Gone are the days of having to rely on your “brick and mortar” store to drive shoppers to your business. These days, traveling retailers can make a sale with just the touch of a button and the swipe of a credit card via their smartphone.

No matter how large or small the business, employees don’t even need to be near their store’s credit card processor to make a credit transaction with their customer. Using smartphone credit card readers, businesses have the capability of taking their sales to the next level, but Better Business Bureau is advising business owners to make sure that such a system is right for their business.

For businesses looking to add the credit card reader capability to their sales, BBB recommends the following tips:

Do your research. Just like a landline-based credit card system, you’ll need a merchant account to process payments, a scanner device to read the card, and software (app) to make it run. Don’t skimp on research. Start with your bank or your credit card service for suggestions on recommended services and devices. Check out all vendors at www.bbb.org. Ask for references.

Choose the right combination. Your smartphone merchant account might interface with your existing landline-based account, and that will make life easier. Build from there; find the app you feel comfortable using that has the features you want. There are over a hundred apps available for different smartphones; each is usually compatible with a number of different swiping devices. The reader itself is the last step (and the easiest to replace or exchange).

Read the fine print. Using a smartphone credit card reader might be a great way to increase your sales while on the road. However, make sure to read the fine print for the smartphone app to make sure that you won’t be charged while you’re not using it.

Offer the customer service your shoppers expect.Some shoppers may not be familiar with this kind of payment method. Be sure to offer them the option of having a receipt emailed to them, or even offer to print the receipt there with a separate smartphone printer. This will reduce the hassle should your customer want to return the product.

Beware of scams! As with any emerging technology, scammers are figuring out how to exploit vulnerabilities. Don’t buy the devices or apps from vendors you don’t know.

Visit BBB’s website for more Business Tips or join ourLinkedIn business group.

Preventing Cold and Flu Season in the Work Place

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by

With cold and flu season upon us, the transfer of germs and illness in the workplace increases. Better Business Bureau advises business owners to take initiative in preventing the spread of illness.

Beginning in late November each year, the flu affects millions of us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this germy bug costs businesses nearly $10 billion in employee medical visits every year. Keep your employees healthy by maintaining a clean and productive work environment. The CDC has made it easier with a free employer tool kit, “Make It Your Business to Fight the Flu.”

Here are some tips to help protect employees and customers as much as possible:

Acquire products that ward off germs. Hand sanitizers, tissues and disinfectants are all products that can aid employees in keeping the workspace clean. Make them readily available throughout your workspaces.

Advise employees to stay home. While sick employees may deem it necessary to attend work, their presence will only expose healthy employees to contagions. If employees are sick, they should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer show symptoms. Consider creating a leave policy that allows employees to work from home should they (or their children) fall ill.

Enforce good hygiene in the work place. Institute the cleaning of shared equipment such as phones and computers, and wipe down common areas with disinfectant regularly. Remind employees of the importance of washing their hands, as well as covering their mouth when sneezing and/or coughing. Encourage them to “sneeze in your sleeve,” rather than into their hand, to reduce the spread of germs.

Promote flu shots. Search for on-site flu shots through your local hospital, retail pharmacy or other health care provider, or consider reimbursing some or all of the cost for employees to receive the shot on their own.

Hold a health fair. Contact your local hospital to see if they provide health fairs for employers. If your business isn’t large enough, you can possibly team up with others in your building, office park or neighborhood. If you are in a retail location, you can invite the community, as well. You can also contract the coordination of an on-site health fair with a company specializing in the service.

Be the example. It is important for the employer to follow the same advice being given to the employees. As the boss, it may seem impossible to take a sick day, but it is just as important for you to stay home and keep your germs out of the office.

Visit BBB’s website for more Business Tips or join our LinkedInbusiness group.

"Bait and Switch" Coupon Scams Promise Savings, Deliver Spam

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by

Searching for coupons online is an easy way to save money. Unfortunately, it's also an easy way to give your name and contact info to scammers. Be sure to verify a coupon deal is real before sharing your information.

How the Scam Works:

Scam coupon sites often ask for your contact information.
You need to make a purchase, but you hope to save money by finding a coupon online. A Google search turns up dozens of websites. Most of the online coupons promise a modest 10%-15% discount. But one offers a significantly better deal: 50% off your purchase.

You click the link, and the website looks official. It uses the logo of the business. It asks you to enter your email address and telephone number, promising that your coupon will be sent to you.

When you complete the form, you may be taken to a promotion for an unrelated (and untrustworthy) product. It may be anything from car loans to pharmaceuticals. Other sites do provide fake coupons to print, meaning that consumers don't know they were scammed until the store clerk rejects their coupon.

This "bait and switch" is a way for unscrupulous businesses to collect names and contact info for resale. If your information is sold, you will start receiving spam calls, text messages and/or emails to the contact information you provided.

How Can I Tell Fake Coupons from Real Ones?

It is easy to copy a business' logo and make a fake coupon look real. Identify fake coupons by the following warning signs:

It's the only website with that great deal. If most websites offer a code for 10% off, a 75% off offer is likely a scam.
Be wary of all high value offers. A promo for a $500 gift card is nearly always fake.
Look for legal language and expiration dates. Online coupons need to match manufacturer requirements.
Never pay for coupons. Don't be tricked into paying for something that's actually free.
Watch for "bait and switch" tactics. This scam offers you online coupon codes and, once you agree, requires you fill in a form with personal information.
If you suspect that a coupon is fake, check it against this list. The non-profit Coupon Information Center maintains a list of fraudulent coupons.

For More Information

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

10 Ways to Fight Back Your $1,000 Payroll Tax Hike

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by
Feel like your paycheck is getting smaller? You’re not imagining it: The two-year reduction that decreased the payroll taxes you pay from 6.2% to 4.2% of your salary were allowed to expire at the beginning of the year, which means that a family with a household income of $50,000 will now have about $1,000 less to spend this year.

Read full article here.

What is Military Saves?

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by
Military Saves is part of the Department of Defense’s Financial Readiness Campaign and has been a partner with DoD since 2003. Military Saves is a social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money every month, and to convince leaders and organizations to be aggressive in promoting automatic savings.

Read full article here.

New Twist on Scam Tech Support Calls Installs Viruses on Victims' Computers

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by
It's classic scam: a fake tech support caller claims he needs access to your computer to fix a non-existent bug. But a new twist involves the caller actually installing a virus on victims' computers.

How the Scam Works:

You get a telephone call from someone claiming to be with tech support from a well-known software company. Microsoft is a popular choice. The callers often have strong accents but use common names such as "Adam" or "Bill." The scammers may know your name and other personal information, which they get from publicly available phone directories. They might even guess what computer operating system you're using.

The caller tells you that your computer is sending error messages, and they've detected a virus on it. He says only a tech support employee can remove the virus, but first you need to grant him access to your machine. If you give the OK, the caller will run a scan of your files and actually point out how the virus has infected the computer. The scammers then offer to remove the virus.... for a fee. Of course, they need your credit card details first.

Here's the twist. Those who allowed the caller remote access to their computers, whether they paid for the virus to be removed or not, reported difficulties with their computer afterwards, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Some said their computers would not turn on or certain programs/files were inaccessible. Some victims even reported taking their computers for repair, and the technicians confirmed software had been installed.

What to do if "Tech Support" Calls?

Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.
Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from tech support.
Take the caller's information down and report it to your local authorities or the FTC.
If you did allow a caller to access your computer:

Change the passwords for your computer, email and online banking/credit card accounts.
Be sure to run a virus scan
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report if you shared personal and banking information with the scammer.

For More Information

See Microsoft's advice on avoiding tech support call scams.

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

Hawaii's BBB Issues A Call for Nominations for the 2013 BBB Torch Awards

1/14/2013

Posted on 1/14/2013 by

Honolulu (January 14, 2013) - Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is now accepting nominations for the 2013 BBB Torch Awards. Awards will be presented in four categories honoring small, medium and large businesses, and one public charity. Nomination forms are available at www.hawaii.bbb.org and the nomination deadline is Friday, February 22, 2013 at 6 p.m.

“The BBB Torch Awards aims to promote trust in the marketplace by recognizing local businesses and charities for their outstanding commitment to fair, honest, and ethical marketplace practices,” says Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawaii’s BBB.

The awards recognizes an organizations superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit their consumers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities and advances trust in the marketplace.

The BBB Torch Awards are open to all Hawaii businesses and 501(c)(3) public charities. Nominees must certify operations in Hawaii. BBB accreditation is not required to be nominated, however nominees must be in good standing with Hawaii’s BBB.

A panel of past BBB Torch Award recipients will review entries. Finalists will be announced in late March and winners will be revealed at the BBB Torch Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

For more information about the BBB Torch Awards, visit hawaii.bbb.org or call 536-6956; toll-free from the Neighbor Islands at 1-877-222-6551.

Established in 1945, the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii® (BBB) is a nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest marketplace behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses.

Back to School and Back to Spending... Less

1/11/2013

Posted on 1/11/2013 by

Back to School and Back to Spending... Less

It’s back to school this Spring and college students won’t know what hit their bank account. Whether you are an art, engineering, or business major there is no doubt that you will be required to spend some money on books and supplies.

This semester and for the rest of the semester you can decrease your spending on school supplies by keeping these tips in mind. If you are a parent, be sure to share these tips with your child and help them to be wise spenders.

Hawaii’s BBB has listed these tips to help you save on school necessities:

Organize your list. Most college students will have 4-7 classes this semester so list the textbooks you need for each class and also list the bookstore price of a new one. This way, as you search for books you can see the amount it normally runs for and purchase one at a lower cost.

Go on a price hunt. Most bookstores will have used books but that doesn’t mean it’s the cheapest. Some popular sites are Amazon, Half by Ebay, Chegg, Abe Books, and Big Words. Compare prices on these sites and you’ll se which is the better deal, on campus or online. This is not only a tip for textbooks but for supplies as well. Some courses like art courses will require you to buy many quality art supplies like a sketchpad, paintbrushes, paint, color pencils, etc... This will add up so search at your bookstore, specialty art stores, office warehouses, or online to compare prices.

Don’t settle for campus buy back prices. Some campuses buy back your books for so little of what you purchased them for. Another alternative is to check online again, you can sell books on the sites referenced above. Again, compare the best deal and get your moneys worth for a buy back.

You don’t have to own. Now there is an option where you can rent books. They will most likely offer this service on campus and there are sites where you can rent books as well. Renting books can cost you less and because you sell it back anyways it’ll be easier because all you have to do is return it at the end of the semester.

Bookstores and sites are not your only option. Check your campus bulletin, ask a friend, or post it on a social media site. You can ask around for people who have taken the same course because they may be selling their books and for a lower price. Some people will even post it on a bulletin and you can just call or email them.

Worry no more; you can now hit your books instead of hitting your bank statement. Follow these tips and you’ll be a smart supply shopper in no time.

Three Things You Need to Know Before Investing

1/10/2013

Posted on 1/10/2013 by

Investments take risk; sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. But smart investors know that the best way to minimize risk is to educate yourself about your basic rights, the protections you are entitled to under the law, and the common scams and frauds to avoid. Better Business Bureau has teamed up with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to bring you up-to-date research and tools on investment fraud at BBB Smart Investing.

Studies have shown that investment scams have risen in the last decade. Baby Boomers are managing their own retirement funds and are particularly vulnerable. In 2011, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), state and provincial regulators in the U.S., Canada and Mexico launched more than 2,600 administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions involving investors, 1 in 5 of whom were seniors.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suggests three key steps to take before investing:

Check out the seller. A legitimate investment professional must be licensed. Before giving out your personal information, ask whether the seller is registered with FINRA, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or your state securities regulator. Find registration and other information on individual brokers, securities firms and investment advisor firms at: www.SaveAndInvest.org/CheckSeller.

Ask questions. Are you licensed to sell this investment to me? Is this investment registered with the SEC?

Check out the investment. Check whether the investment itself is registered. Confirm whether a security is registered with the SEC and get access to a company’s financial information by using the SEC’s EDGAR Database. Learn how at www.SaveAndInvest.org/CheckInvestment.

For more information on protecting yourself from investment fraud, visit www.bbb.org/smartinvesting and www.saveandinvest.org.

Don’t Let Paperless, E-Receipts Compromise Your Personal Information

1/10/2013

Posted on 1/10/2013 by

Have you ever opted for a paperless, e-receipt? Some retailers and banks have started offering customers the option of receiving receipts from purchases and ATM transactions via email. While this is a convenient alternative to paper clutter, Better Business Bureau is reminding shoppers to protect their identity in the process.

Many retailers offer e-receipts for both our convenience and theirs. E-receipts save retailers money, and they make it easier for you to electronically file them away until they’re needed for returns, warranties or taxes.

E-receipts can often be tied to your store affinity card, but you can often opt for paperless simply by providing your email address to the clerk at the time of purchase.

There are also online companies that offer to organize and store digital receipts. You must create an account and provide your credit or debit card information, which the company uses to track transactions. After purchases, the company retrieves receipt information directly from retailers and stores it online. Be careful! Obviously this kind of service is ripe for scammers to mimic in order to steal your information.

While paperless receipts may offer savings for retailers and convenience to you, be sure you’re aware of what else you could be receiving in your inbox. Along with receipts, businesses may send “junk mail” filled with surveys, coupons and other promotional offers. They may also use your information to build profiles on demographics and buying habits.

For shoppers who are interested in opting for the paperless, e-receipt, BBB offers the following tips:

Find out how the business plans to keep your information secure. You’ll want to check to see if the business plans on selling your information to third-parties. If they do, be on the lookout for unsolicited emails requesting your personal information; they could be scams that download malware on your computer.

Ask if you can opt-out of receiving promotional emails. Now that the business has your email address, it’s possible you’ll start to receive coupons, newsletters and other promotional emails from them…and even from others if they’ve sold or shared your data. You may want to set up a separate email address to use for paperless receipts so that you can easily monitor it for spam.

Beware of scams! Having receipts emailed can also make you susceptible to phishing and other identity theft scams. Scammers pose as retailers or banks with realistic-looking emails that may claim there are problems with your purchase and request that you click a link to fix it. The link may take you to a fraudulent site that asks for your personal information, or it might download malware on your computer that will search your hard drive for account numbers and passwords.

Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date. Whether or not you plan to increase your internet and email use, it’s always a good idea to make sure your system’s security plan is updated regularly. Spammers feed off of online shoppers who fail to update their security patches.

For more BBB tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/betterbusinessbureau.

Be prepared and educated before attending a bridal expo

1/9/2013

Posted on 1/9/2013 by
Planning a wedding involves orchestrating a symphony of vendors, and bridal expos can be a great one-stop shop to find everything a bride is looking for. But before making an emotional decision or signing on that dotted line, Better Business Bureau encourages couples to take their time and do their research.

Read full article here.

Better Business Bureau Names “Top Ten Scams” of 2012

1/9/2013

Posted on 1/9/2013 by

Arlington, VA (January 9, 2013) – The Better Business Bureau investigates thousands of scams every year, and this past year launched two websites to help consumers figure out which offers are real and which ones are possibly frauds:

BBB Smart Investing (www.bbb.org/smartinvesting), developed in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, informs consumers about investment fraud, Ponzi schemes and risky investments, and helps them assess their risk, check out brokers, and avoid getting taken.

BBB Scam Stopper (www.bbb.org/scamstopper), developed in partnership with Western Union, educates consumers about the major types of scams and provides information on how to avoid them and how to report them.

The annual “Top Ten Scams” list is culled from a variety of sources. BBB gathers information on scams from consumers, some of whom have been victims of scams; from federal agencies; and from other reliable information sources.

“It’s hard to say which are the ‘biggest’ scams, as far as the number of people affected or the amount of money stolen, because many go unreported or under-reported,” said Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Some of these scams have been around as long as BBB – 100 years – and some take advantage of brand new technologies. Our list is made up of the ones that seemed the most audacious, the most egregious. They hurt a lot of people, and it seems that scams are only getting more prevalent even as consumers are getting savvier.”

Here are BBB’s Top Ten Scams of 2012:

Top Overpayment/Fake Check Scam: Car Ads

The online ad says something like “Get Paid Just for Driving Around” – a prominent company is offering $400+ per week if you’ll drive around with their logo all over your car. They send a check to you, which you are supposed to deposit in your account and then wire part of the payment to the graphic designer who will customize the ad for your vehicle. Whoops! A week later, the check bounces, the graphic designer is nowhere to be found, and you are out the money you wired. The Internet Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) says they saw this one a lot in 2012.

Top Emergency Scam: Grandparents Scam

The “Grandparents Scam” has been around a while, but it’s still so prevalent we need to mention it again: grandchild/niece/nephew/friend is traveling abroad and calls/texts/emails to say he or she has been mugged/arrested/hurt and needs money right away (“…and please don’t tell mom and dad!”). Plus the FBI says that, thanks to social media, it’s getting easier and easier for scammers to tell a more plausible story because they can use real facts from the supposed victim’s life (“Remember that great camera I got for Christmas?” “I’m in France to visit my old college roommate.”). Easy rule of thumb – before you wire money in an emergency, check with the supposed victim or their family members to make sure they really are traveling. Odds are they are safe at home.

Top Employment Scam: Mystery Shopping

If you love to shop, working as a secret shopper may sound like an ideal way to supplement your income. But scammers have figured that out, too, and many job offers are nothing more than a variation on the Overpayment/Fake Check Scam (above). Sometimes they even tell you that evaluating the wire service company is part of the job, which is why you need to send back part of the money. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association says it’s not the practice of their members to pre-pay shoppers, but if you have your heart set on this type of job, you can find a legitimate gig through their website at www.mysteryshop.org.

Top Advance Fee/Prepayment Scam: Nonexistent Loans

Loan scams continued to fester in 2012. It seems for every legitimate lender out there, there is a scammer waiting to prey on people in desperate situations. Most of the scams advertise online and promise things like no credit check or easy repayment terms. Then the hook: you have to make the first payment upfront, you have to buy an “insurance policy,” or there is some other kind of fee that you have to pay first to “secure” the loan. This year, we heard a new, aggressive twist on loan scams: consumers who were threatened with lawsuits and law enforcement action if they didn’t “pay back” loans they said they had never even taken out in the first place. Some got calls at their workplace, even to relatives. The embarrassment of being thought of as a delinquent caused some victims to pay even when they knew they didn’t owe the money.

Top Phishing Scam: President Obama Will Pay Your Utility Bills

Of all the politically-related scams, this one seemed to be the most prevalent. At the peak of summer with utility costs soaring, consumers got emails, letters and even door-to-door solicitations about a “new government program” to pay your utility bills. Hey, the president wants to get re-elected, right? Maybe he’s just trying to win votes. Victims “registered” with an official-looking website and provided everything scammers needed for identity theft purposes, including bank account information.

Top Sweepstakes/Lottery Scam: Jamaican Phone Lottery

This is an old one that flared up again this year. We consider it flattering (in a weird way) that BBB is such a trusted brand that we “star” in so many scams! In this one, the calls come from Jamaica (area code 876) but the person claims to represent BBB (or FBI, or other trusted group). Great news: you’ve won a terrific prize (typical haul: $2 million and Mercedes Benz) but you have to pay a fee in order to collect your winnings. There are lots of variations on this; sometimes it’s a government grant. Best just to hang up and then file a phone fraud report with the appropriate government agency (see below).

Top Identity Theft Scam: Fake Facebook Tweets

Two top social media sites were exploited in one of this year’s top scams. You get a Direct Message from a friend on Twitter with something about a video of you on Facebook (“ROFL they was taping you” or “What RU doing in this FB vid?” are typical tweets). In a panic, you click on the link to see what the embarrassing video could possibly be, and you get an error message that says you need to update Flash or other video player. But the file isn’t a new version of Flash; it’s a virus or malware that can steal confidential information from your computer or smart phone. Twitter recommends reporting such spam, resetting your password and revoking connections to third-party applications.

Top Home Improvement Scam: Sandy “Storm Chasers”

BBB spends a lot of time investigating and reporting on home improvement scams, but this year we saw an unusual amount of “storm chaser” activity following Super Storm Sandy. Tree removal, roofing, general home repairs – some were legitimate contractors who came from other areas for the volume of work available; others were unlicensed, uninsured and ill-prepared for the work; while some were even out-and-out scam artists who took the money and never did the work. In an emergency, it’s tempting to skip reference checking, but that’s never a good idea. BBB has tens of thousands of Accredited Businesses in the home contracting field who are committed to upholding our mission of trust. Next time you need home repairs, find a contractor at www.bbb.org/search.

Top Sales/Rental Scam: Real Stars, Fake Goods

Sports memorabilia and phony tickets always make the list of top counterfeit goods. From the Super Bowl to the World Series, counterfeiters manage to have their hands in your pocket all year long. With the London Olympics added to the mix, it appears that 2012 was a good year for sports fakes. Some scammers were selling cheap knock-offs in front of stadiums. Others set up websites that just stole your money and never had any goods to begin with. Counterfeit goods are not only a rip-off for you because the merchandise is usually shoddy, but they are also a rip-off for the teams, athletes, designers and artists who create, license and sell the real thing. Buy directly from team stores and websites, or from legitimate retailers. You’ll pay a little more, but it will be the real deal. Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Scam of the Year: Newtown Charity Scams

Within hours of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, social media pages dedicated to the child victims began cropping up…and some of them were scams asking for money. The FBI has already arrested one woman for posing as the aunt of one of the children killed, and state and federal agencies are investigating other possible fraudulent and misleading solicitations. In response to these reports, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offered tips for donors to understand how and when to best support those dealing with such a tragic crisis. Although the number of people defrauded and the total dollars stolen is most likely low, the cynicism and sheer audacity of these scams merits our selecting it as the “Top Scam of 2012.”

More information for consumers:

For more information on these and other scams, go to BBB Scamstopper. Sign up for our Scam Alerts and learn about new scams as soon as we do.

To search for a business in the U.S. or Canada, or to find your local BBB, go to BBB.org.

For information on charities, go to Give.org.

For information on U.S. government services, go to: USA.gov.

For information on Canadian government services, go to Service Canada.

ABOUT BBB:

For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 114 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

Are You in Need of Long Term Care

1/4/2013

Posted on 1/4/2013 by
What exactly is long term care?

According to the National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information, long term care is “a range of services and supports you may need to meet your health or personal needs over a long period of time.” These services fall into two major categories:

“Activities of Daily Living” include bathing, dressing, transferring to or from a bed or chair), and eating.

“Instrumental Activities of Daily Living” include (but are not limited to) housework, taking medication, errands, caring of pets, and using communication devices.

The need for long term care, which can be provided at home or in a special facility, usually stems from a health condition, such as a chronic illness or disability. Age-related factors can also increase the likelihood for needing services.

The National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information is a government website that provides information and resources to those who are inquiring about long term care needs for themselves or a family member. Here’s a short list of age-related factors or risks they cite when considering long term care:

Age: The older you get, the more likely it is that you’ll need help.
Living alone: If you live alone, you’re more likely to need paid care than if you live with others.
Gender: Women are more likely to need long-term care than men, primarily because women tend to live longer.
Lifestyle: Poor diet and exercise habits increase the chance that you’ll need long-term care.
Personal history: Health and family history can increase the chances you’ll need long-term care.

The cost of long term care is a major issue to consider, and you may benefit from signing-up for coverage early on.

“Medicare, VA benefits and employer programs cover some costs of long term care,” says Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “But more and more people are adding private long term care insurance policies to their retirement planning. Make that decision sooner rather than later; the younger you are when you buy the policy, the less it will cost you. And once you have a major health issue, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, metastatic cancer or Parkinson’s, you may not be able to get coverage.”

TurboTax rolls out new program for military

1/4/2013

Posted on 1/4/2013 by
TurboTax has launched a version of its tax preparation program aimed exclusively at the 2.3 million members of the military — and free to those grade E5 and below.

Read full article here

Watch Out for Malware Disguised as Sudoku Generator

1/4/2013

Posted on 1/4/2013 by

A scam that promises unlimited Sudoku puzzles is extra tempting this time of year. You have hours to kill sitting through a slow day at work, waiting at the airport or hanging out at a relative's house. It's a great time to waste time.

How the Scam Works:

You receive a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that promises to automatically generate Sudoku puzzles. However, when you open the file and try to create a new puzzle, you get a message that you need to "enable macros" by disabling the software's security setting.

If you do so, you will allow the malware to run on your computer. It will scan your system and send an email with details about your machine, according to computer security blog Naked Security.

What are Macros?

If you perform a task repeatedly in Microsoft Excel (or another Microsoft Office program), you can speed up your work by automating the task with a macro, a series of commands. However, macros are also a common way for scammers to sneak malware onto your computer.

Back in the 1990s, scammers frequently used this trick until Microsoft set all its software to automatically block macros. This adjustment forced scammers to abandon this technique and find new ways of fooling users. With this new malware, scammers hope that today's Excel users have forgotten all about macros.

My File is Asking me to Enable Macros. Is This a Scam?

It can be hard to know when to allow macros in your Microsoft files. Follow these tips to ensure you don't accidentally allow a virus to run on your computer.

Whenever you open an Excel workbook that contains macros, you can verify their source before you enable them. Just look for the digital signature, an electronic stamp of authenticity. Learn more about macros
Set your macro security level to control what happens when you open a workbook that contains a macro. You can choose to run macros based on whether they are digitally signed by a developer on your list of trusted sources. (To find this setting, go to the Tools menu, Macro submenu. Then, click the "Security Level" tab in the "Security" dialog box).
Watch out for macros in other Microsoft software. This scam involves Excel, but if this technique works, scammers will produce similar tricks using Power Point and Word Documents.

For More Information

Learn more about macros on Microsoft's support website.

To find out more about scams, check out BBB Scam Stopper.

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii's BBB

12/21/2012

Posted on 12/21/2012 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook:

Show your support local organizations and nominate a biz or charity for a BBB Torch Award - bit.ly/TtBLFf

Letter promises to pay unclaimed money, actually wants to steal your identity ow.ly/g14wN

Pennies on the Dollar - how are your donations being used? http://bit.ly/S6lTNc

BBB’s online video library has hundreds of business and consumer tips: ow.ly/2j1wt

Going to a get-rich-quick seminar? Open your eyes before you open your wallet: bit.ly/BtK0M

Buying, Donating, Giving – Outsmart Holiday Season Tangles bit.ly/XyYhCq

Sometimes, a Bargain Just isn’t a Bargain! bit.ly/THrntI

Ideas for Growing a Small Business—Tips on getting loans & managing money: ow.ly/2maOG

Don’t Reach For The Remote! Television Is About To Get A Bit Quieter. bit.ly/UfQvHD

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter and Facebook

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for November 2012

12/20/2012

Posted on 12/20/2012 by

Types of Business	Inquiries
Contractors - General	1690
Electricians	1420
Dating Service	1322
Roofing Contractors	1270
Plumbing Contractors	1256
Property Management	1076
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	1014
Real Estate	939
Solar Energy System Design & Installation	887
Pest Control Services	861

Most Complained About Businesses

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Auto Dealers - New Cars	10	100%
Airlines	8	100%
Beauty Salons	7	100%
Fitness Centers	7	100%
Real Estate	7	100%
Auto Renting & Leasing	5	66.67%
Property Management	5	N/A
Contractors - Solar Energy	5	N/A
Auto Dealers - Used Cars	4	100%
Collection Agencies	4	N/A
Hotels	4	100%

Analysis of data for November 2012:

Overall volume of activities compared Compared to Nov 2011

Web Traffic: 1.90% increase
Complaint Opened: 0.04% increase
Requests for information: 28.53% increase
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 10.13% increase
Total BBBOnLine Seal Clicks 3.19% increase
Request A Quote requests: 15.37% decrease
Mobile BBB Business Review: 3.61% increase

Life With No Regrets Means Shop With No Remorse

12/18/2012

Posted on 12/18/2012 by

Life With No Regrets Means Shop With No Remorse.

Ever find yourself at the checkout line eager to make a purchase but once at home you just can’t seem to remember what invisible force brought you to make the purchase? If so, you are probably experiencing buyer’s remorse. We have all experienced this in someway; we buy an item at a high price and just don’t see the value anymore or it breaks within days of purchasing.

No matter the cause, prevent this from happening to you. Hawaii BBB has compiled these tips so that you can prevent this force from taking you into a state of remorse.

What is their return policy? Find out how many days you have for return. Also fins out if it’s an exchange or a full refund. With this information you can be more at ease if you end up not loving your purchase.

Compare quality and price. Sometimes cheaper isn’t always better. You can spend a lot of money purchasing cheap items over and over. You can save your money and time if you invest on a high quality and fair-priced item.

Do your homework. Before going into the store and getting sold to one item, especially expensive ones, by the sales associate, look online for reviews. Read about the product and what kind of features it has and compare it to similar products. Also, read customer reviews and see how they liked it so that when you go into the store you can make a better and informed product decision.

Trust your instincts NOT your impulse. Don’t buy it the first time around but the second time around after some deep thinking. This may be tricky with things like apparel because sometimes when you come back for it, it’s sold out. It may be hard to differ the feelings of instincts and impulse but here is a test: put the item on hold and walk around for a bit, if you still want to purchase it then go for it.

At the end of your purchase you should be very much happy but when you get home and feel regretful then by all means go and return it (its good that you checked the return policy). All these tips will lessen your remorse and all it took was just a little time and information.

BBB Offers Ten Giving Tips for Newtown Tragedy

12/18/2012

Posted on 12/18/2012 by

Arlington, VA – December 18, 2012 – In the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, the national charity monitoring arm of the Better Business Bureau, cautions donors about potential red flags in fund raising to help Newtown and to be aware of the different circumstances that often emerge in tragedy-related philanthropy.

“Certainly this tragedy will inspire people to give. Americans are emotionally drawn and will respond to requests to help the Sandy Hook community, advocacy groups and mental health charities among others,” said H. Art Taylor, President & CEO, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, “and while they should be on the lookout for questionable solicitors and scammers, people may be less clear about the complicated legal character of their gifts.” The BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers ten tips to educate donors, avoid problem appeals, and give with confidence.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance urges donors to give thoughtfully and avoid those seeking to take advantage of the generosity of others. Here are “Ten Tips for Giving with Confidence” –

1. Thoughtful Giving

2. State Government Registration

3. Respecting Victims and Their Families

Organizations raising funds should get permission from the families to use either the names of the victims and/or any photographs of them. Some charities raising funds for the Colorado movie theater victims did not do this and were the subject of criticism from victims’ families.

4. How Will Donations Be Used?

5. What if a Family Sets Up Its Own Assistance Fund?

6. Advocacy Organizations

Tragedies that involve violent acts with firearms can also generate requests from a variety of advocacy organizations that address gun use. Donors can support these efforts as well but note that some of these advocacy groups are not tax exempt as charities. Also, watch out for newly created advocacy groups that will be difficult to check out.

7. Online Cautions

8. Financial Transparency

9. Newly Created or Established Organizations

10. Tax Deductibility

About BBB: For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reports on 12,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 114 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

BBB and FINRA Foundation Launch Smart Investing Website to Help Stop Investment Scams

12/17/2012

Posted on 12/17/2012 by

Consumers lose millions to scammers and Ponzi schemes; new effort combines education, local outreach

Arlington, VA – December 13, 2012 – Better Business Bureau and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation today launched a new consumer website, BBB Smart Investing, which is designed to help investors make smarter investing decisions while avoiding fraud, risky investments and unlicensed brokers. The campaign combines the research and expansive knowledge base of the FINRA Foundation with the extensive consumer outreach of BBB’s trusted 100-year-old name and its 104 local operations across the United States.

“Our partnership with BBB will help Americans in communities across the country protect their savings from fraudsters,” said FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh. “The FINRA Foundation’s ‘Outsmarting Investment Fraud’ curriculum and resources have been field-tested, and give consumers the tools and information they need to thwart fraudsters touting investment scams.”

Consumer financial fraud is a serious problem in North America. According to the Federal Trade Commission and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, consumers reported losing more than $1.5 billion to all types of scams in 2011. FINRA Foundation research has found that investors are overconfident in their knowledge of financial management, particularly Baby Boomers who are most often the target of investment scams. A telephone survey found that 92% felt “somewhat” or “very confident” about managing their finances, with almost 80% describing themselves as “somewhat” or “very” knowledgeable about investing. But only 44% got a passing grade on a basic financial literacy knowledge test. BBB Smart Investing hopes to help change that.

“This is a great partnership,” says Carrie Hurt, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Even though BBB has always investigated investment scams, this gives us a whole new portfolio of prevention tools to offer to consumers. The FINRA Foundation’s basic ‘Ask & Check’ message is exactly what consumers need to hear before they make investment decisions. We think this program will go a long way toward preventing investment scams that have become so much more prevalent in recent years as people more actively manage their own retirement funds.”

Nearly half of the BBBs based in the United States have begun rolling out programs and hosting events in their local areas. A wide variety of tools from the FINRA Foundation are being used by trained BBB presenters across the country to introduce smart investing skills and to teach consumers how to detect investment schemes, scams and frauds. A list of upcoming events is available online.

For those who are interested in learning more but cannot attend a local event or do not have one scheduled nearby, a free DVD is available from the FINRA Foundation. The program, “Trick$ of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud,” is an hour-long documentary that originally appeared on PBS and was recognized by Kiplinger’s Best of Everything.

ABOUT BBB:

ABOUT THE FINRA FOUNDATION:

FINRA, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation is the largest foundation in the United States dedicated to investor education. Its mission is to provide investors with high-quality, easily accessible information and tools to better understand the markets and the basic principles of saving and investing. For more information, visit www.finrafoundation.org.

Homeowners Tricked into Overpaying for Their Deed

12/11/2012

Posted on 12/11/2012 by
Homeowners nationwide are receiving letters asking them to pay upwards of $80 to obtain a certified copy of their property deed. What the mailings don't mention is that deeds are available from the county for a few dollars or less.

How the Scam Works:

You receive a letter in the mail in an official-looking "open immediately" envelope. It warns that you should have a certified copy of the deed to your house or condo. Getting a copy is easy; just pay the business $80 or more, and they will mail you one.

The letter is misleading. Deeds really only cost a few dollars, so the scammers are making a hefty profit.

As with most scams, the letters take several forms and the exact name, amounts and wording used change over time.

Some versions of the letters look like a bill. Others warn that an additional $35 will be tacked on to a base charge if you don't order by a set date. However, the mailing always uses an official sounding business name, including National Deed Service, Secured Document Company and Conveyance Transfer Services. These three all have a Washington DC return address and a toll-free number.

View a sample scam letter posted by the Missouri Attorney General.

How Can I Get a Copy of My Deed?:

If you are thinking about selling or refinancing your home, you will need a copy of your deed. But you don't need to pay scammers for one.

Where to get a new one: Call or check the website of the county clerk's office, where deeds are usually recorded.
What you need to get it: The street address of the property. There is no fee if you request the title yourself, but there may be a small charge for copying and certification.
How long it takes: The process takes about 10 business days in most cases.

For More Information

For more advice, check out www.bbb.org for more home improvement tips.

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

Another BBB Phishing Scam. Don’t Bite!

12/4/2012

Posted on 12/4/2012 by

Phishing scams look like legitimate email, and they are getting more sophisticated every day. What these con artists are really after is your banking and financial information. And they won’t mind destroying your computer to get it.

Once again, scammers are sending emails that appear to come from your trusted Better Business Bureau. They’ll tell you that a complaint has been registered against your business, or that a customer has submitted a review of your business. (It doesn’t matter that you might not even OWN a business.)

The email will ask you to download and complete an attached form, or it will ask you to click on a link to view and respond to the consumer posting. Don’t do either!

The “attached form” is actually an executable file that will drop a nasty virus onto your system. Next thing you know, you’ll see a pop-up message that claims your computer is infected with dozens of viruses, and that will offer to clean your system for a fee. If you provide your credit card or banking information to have your system cleaned, you will waste your money, and the scammers will then have access to your funds and will steal even more of your money.

The links in the bogus email are dangerous, as well. They look like a link to a BBB page, but the code behind the link will actually route your browser to a website where malware is dropped onto your computer. The malware is written in such a way that it usually passes by anti-virus programs undetected. Once the malware is in place, the scammer can sniff for your banking information (including user names and passwords), and can use your system to send more scam emails out to your contacts under your name.

The bottom line is this: If you don’t own a business, you can disregard any BBB email that claims your company has been the subject of a customer communication. If you do own a business, you can always check with your local office to confirm the legitimacy of any email purporting to come from BBB. To find your local office, visit www.bbb.org/find. But never click on a link in an email or download an attachment unless and until you confirm that it truly came from BBB.

BBB would like you to send us any bogus emails claiming to come from BBB. Forward the email(s) to phishing@council.bbb.org. Don’t worry if you receive a notification that the email could not be delivered because of an attached virus. We pull them from quarantine and examine them anyway. Please understand that we would like to reply to each email, however, when the traffic to the phishing mailbox is particularly heavy, we might not be able to offer a direct reply. If you need personal assistance with an email, contact your local BBB.

On Giving Tuesday, Give Wisely

11/28/2012

Posted on 11/28/2012 by

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Offers
Tips for Holiday Donations

Arlington, VA – November 26, 2012 – Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, “a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season” that was started by several major charities. BBB Wise Giving Alliance enthusiastically supports Giving Tuesday, with the caveat that donors and volunteers make sure the charities they support are well-managed and make good use of their donations.

“Giving Tuesday is a great way to balance the excesses of the long weekend dedicated to eating and shopping,” said H. Art Taylor, President and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. “But it’s important for donors to do a little homework first to make sure they are comfortable with each charity they support, not only its mission but also how well it follows guidelines for financial management, transparency and leadership.”

BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips:

1 . Consider more than finances.

How much money a charity spends on the actual cause – as compared to how much goes toward fundraising and administration – is an important factor, but it’s not the whole story. A charity with impressive financial ratios could have other significant problems such as insufficient transparency, inadequate board activity and inaccurate appeals.

2. Research before you give.

Even good friends may not have fully researched the charities they endorse, so don’t just take their word for it. Expertise is available. Go to www.give.org to see if a national charity meets the BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Visit bbb.org for information on local charities.

3. Be wary of high-pressure, emotional pitches.

Giving on the spot is never necessary, no matter how hard a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor pushes it. The charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.

4. Verify donated items are needed.

Worn out, unusable or unwanted donated goods cost charities millions of dollars each year because the organization has to bear the cost of tossing the unacceptable donation. If you have questions about an item’s acceptability, call the charity and ask.

5. Confirm the charity’s identity.

With so many charities in existence, their names can blur in a donor’s mind and similar-sounding organizations are common. Be sure you know which charity you’re supporting and that it’s not a case of mistaken identity.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance also has suggestions for businesses that engage in cause-related marketing promotions that announce a consumer purchase will help a charity. The business should be sure to (a) have a written agreement with the charity that authorized this use, and (b) disclose in promotions the actual or anticipated amount of the consumer purchase that will benefit the charity.

Clicking 'Like'? You are Helping Spam Go Viral

11/16/2012

Posted on 11/16/2012 by

The newest Facebook spam is probably clogging up your newsfeed right now. You've seen them: photos that have ten of thousands of "likes" and a caption that promises something amazing. Despite what these pics claim to be, they are just a way for shady businesses to make money off Facebook.

How the Scam Works:

An attention-grabbing photo appears in your Facebook newsfeed. The striking image has a caption (such as the one below) that promises something will happen in the photo if you "like" it or leave a particular comment.

But when you comment on the photo, nothing happens. The photo is just spam gone viral.

What's the point of these photos? Savvy spammers set up Facebook pages and populate them with funny and/or moving images. Each picture has a message that urges users to "like," share or comment on the posts. The images run the gamut from amusing teasers, such as the one above, to heart tugging images of sick children with captions that falsely promise "a dollar donated for each 'like.'"

The more times the images are shared or "liked," the more it boosts the spam page's "edge rank," the score a Facebook page is given to dictate how it interacts with other Facebook profiles. The higher your "edge rank," the more often the page appears in other users' newsfeeds. After the page accumulates enough fans and a high enough "edge rank," the spammers sell it.

I Spotted Facebook Spam. What Should I Do?

Don't share, like or comment on the images. That just perpetuates Facebook spam.
Report spam to Facebook by following these instructions.

For More Information

For tips on identifying Facebook scams and ensuring your account is secure, please see Facebook's Help Center.

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

BBB Tips for Holiday Budgeting and Shopping

11/15/2012

Posted on 11/15/2012 by

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday
Make Up a Busy Weekend for Holiday Shoppers

Grab your shopping bags and compile your lists, the biggest holiday shopping days are almost here! With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday all crammed into one long weekend, Better Business Bureau wants to help make your shopping adventure go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips:

Create a budget and stick to it

According to the National Retail Federation, the average holiday shopper will spend $749.51 on gifts, decor, greeting cards and other seasonal items, up slightly from the $740.57 they spent last year. How can you keep from overspending? BBB has once again teamed up with Clearpoint Credit Solutions to offer the Holiday Planner Calculator. This easy-to-use online tool will help you create a budget that is realistic for the way you celebrate, entertain, travel and give gifts this holiday season.

Don’t fall for the too-good-to-be-true deal

On “Black Friday” (and every day), get to know retailers first by checking out their BBB Business Reviews at bbb.org. Compare prices before you hit the stores on Black Friday so you know if you really are getting a great deal. Newspapers will often have coupons that give discounts for Black Friday. When searching for coupons online, make sure to get them from the store’s website, not from an offsite deal promoter.

Shop small on Small Business Saturday

November 24 is Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year. BBB is teaming up with American Express, a BBB Accredited Business and National Partner, to spread the word on why small businesses are so awesome. Here’s a fun infographic to show just how important small businesses are to our economy.

Watch out for scams

The new BBB Scam Stopper website can tell you all about the latest scams, and help you learn the most common tactics used by scam artists both in-person and online. Be especially careful of holiday related scams. Be sure that letter from Santa is from a legitimate site before you share your child’s personal information. And that friend or grandchild who was mugged while traveling and needs some cash wired ASAP? That’s a scam. Don’t fall for it!

Shop safely online

November 26^th is “Cyber Monday,” and there will be lots of online deals to be had. Before your surf the net, make sure your computer has the most recent updates for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Scammers use this holiday time to prey on online shoppers. Only shop on trusted websites, and look for the Ad Choices logo for sites that give you more control over whether advertisers can use your information for targeted advertising. It’s also best to use a credit card when shopping online because you can dispute the charges if you don’t receive the item you ordered.

Know your rights

Whether shopping retail or online, know your legal rights. U.S. law requires that orders made by mail, phone or online be shipped by the date promised or, if no delivery time was stated, within 30 days. If the goods aren’t shipped on time, the shopper can cancel and demand a refund. Consumers also have the right to reject merchandise if it’s defective or was misrepresented. Otherwise, it’s the company’s policies that determine if the shopper can cancel the purchase and receive a refund or credit, so be sure you understand return policies before you buy. Keep track of all receipts and documentation, too.

For more advice on safe shopping this holiday season, visit www.bbb.org. And check us out on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest consumer news: www.facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau.

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for October 2012

11/13/2012

Posted on 11/13/2012 by

Most AskedAbout Businesses

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	2305
Electricians	1876
Roofing Contractors	1757
Plumbing Contractors	1620
Dating Service	1228
Solar Energy System Design & Installation	1191
Pest Control Services	1098
Construction & Remodeling Services	1075
Property Management	1056
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	1031

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Auto Dealers - New Cars	10	100%
Auto Renting & Leasing	8	75%
Restaurants	6	100%
Burglar Alarm Systems - Dealers, Monitoring & Service	6	100%
Electric Companies	6	80%
Auto Repair & Service	5	100%
Travel Clubs	5	50%
Real Estate	4	100%
Timeshare Companies	4	NA
Airlines	4	100%

Overall volume of activities compared toprevious month (Compared to October 11):

Web Traffic: 16.42% increase (38.31% increase)
Complaint Opened: 17% decrease (11% decrease)
Requests for information: 18% increase (41% increase)
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 20% increase (43% increase)
Total Seal Clicks (including seal clicks from Dynamic seal) for Hawaii Participants: 11% decrease (14% increase)
Mobile BBB Business Review: 19% increase (41% increase)

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for October 2012

11/13/2012

Posted on 11/13/2012 by

Baby Boom Your Business’ Branding Strategy – Do you Know How to Engage the Nation’s Aging Population?

11/12/2012

Posted on 11/12/2012 by

When looking to create or update the branding strategy for your business, it’s always important to take every demographic into consideration. According to the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA), the majority of adults over the age of 55 feel that advertising does not reflect their current lifestyle, and they are turned off by marketing messages targeted to them. Better Business Bureau is reminding business owners to include our nation’s aging population in their branding and marketing.

Creating ads that work is one of the top goals for all businesses. And while many boomers are much more apt to rely on referrals than the younger generation, 90% of adults 50 and older also rely on and comfortably use email, according to ICAA. Forrester Research found that 49% of consumers who are 66 or older rely on personal emails to direct them to sites, compared to 28% of non-seniors.

One of the problems in today’s marketing world is the fact that many businesses don’t even have a viable strategy for targeting the nation’s 77 million baby boomers, ICAA notes. When creating or sprucing up your branding strategy, the best way to make sure that it doesn’t neglect the aging population is to get input from them directly.

Better Business Bureau and ICAA recommend the following 6 steps to businesses that are looking to make their branding strategy more baby boomer friendly:

Create ads that work. Don’t assume that you’ll reach the aging population by default. Actively design ads to portray baby boomers in a positive, uplifting light. Don’t use negative stereotypes of older adults to humor younger audiences.

Deliver the message effectively. Tell a story instead of lecturing. Let your ad arouse emotions and tug at the heart strings of your audience. Help your audience with comprehension by breaking up lengthy facts into short snippets.

Use terms that work. The key to tugging at the hearts and minds of older adults is to speak their language. Every word counts. Business owners should focus their advertising using language that implies health, well-being, and productivity.

Focus your ad photos using realistic images. According to a recent study by AARP, researchers discovered that images showing exercise that looks like too much work turns off older adults. Grimacing, sweaty, straining models won’t entice many 50-plus adults to become engaged. Make sure your business branding strategy uses images that are both realistic and fun. Baby boomers are more likely to engage with your brand if they feel accurately represented.

For more business tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org, and for more information on engaging the aging population visit International Council of Active Aging, www.icaa.cc.

Businesses Billed Hundreds of Dollars for Unordered Services

10/25/2012

Posted on 10/25/2012 by

Businesses Billed Hundreds of Dollars for Unordered Services

Honolulu, HI—(October 23, 2012)—Since the beginning of October, Better Business Bureau has received over 140 complaints against US Public Yellowpages, who, according to complaints, sends businesses an invoice in the amount of $599.99 for business listings that were not ordered.

US Public Yellowpages claims they have recordings of the businesses authorizing the charges, yet businesses maintain the recordings are doctored and the services were never requested.

Businesses request that US Public Yellowpages cancel the alleged services and cease further contact.

US Public Yellowpages indicated they intend to respond to all complaints, yet to date, BBB has not received a response.

ABOUT HAWAII’S BBB

Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at www.bbb.org.

ALERT: Phishing Scam Looks Like BBB Email…But It’s Not

10/24/2012

Posted on 10/24/2012 by

ALERT: Phishing Scam Looks Like BBB Email…But It’s Not

The BBB name and logo are being fraudulently used by criminals in an on-going phishing scam. The emails look very much like notice of a complaint from BBB, but contain links to malware that can infect your computer, steal passwords, etc. BBB is working with law enforcement, as well as with a private deactivation firm to shut down as many criminal websites as possible. To date, we have shut down well over 100 sites.

If you get an email that looks like it is a BBB complaint, here is what you should do:

1. Do NOT click on any links or attachments.

2. Read the email carefully for signs that it may be fake (for example, misspellings, grammar,generic greetings such as “Dear member” instead of a name, etc.).

3. Be wary of any urgent instructions to take specified action such as “Click on the link or your account will be closed.”

4. Hover your mouse over links without clicking to see if the address is truly from bbb.org. The URL in the text should match the URL that your mouse detects. If the two do not match, it is most likely a scam.

5. Send a copy of the email to phishing@council.bbb.org (Note: This address is only for scams that use the BBB name or logo)

6. Delete the emailfrom your computer completely (be sure to empty your “trash can” or “recyclingbin,” as well).

7. Run anti-virussoftware updates frequently and do a full system scan.

8. Keep a close eye onyour bank statements for any unexpected or unexplained transactions.

If you have a business and are not certain whether the complaint is legitimate, contact your local BBB (www.bbb.org/find).

Under Self Regulation Cereals Advertised to Children Are Less Sugary

10/23/2012

Posted on 10/23/2012 by

BBB’s Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative “Cereals Snapshot” Shows Participants’ Pledges Are Working

Arlington, VA – OCTOBER 23, 2012 – Cereals advertised to children contain more whole grains and key nutrients, and less sugar, calories and sodium than before, according to the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), an industry advertising self-regulation program administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

The CFBAI participants have significantly lowered the amount of sugar in cereals advertised to children. Over 70% have no more than 10 grams of sugar, and 33% have 9 grams or less. This is a significant improvement since before the CFBAI participants adopted voluntary standards.

“Cereal companies that participate in the CFBAI have created new cereals and steadily improved the recipes of popular cereals that are advertised to children,” noted Elaine D. Kolish, Vice President of CBBB and Director of CFBAI. “Today, overall these cereals have less sugar, calories and sodium, and more whole grains, fiber, vitamins and minerals.”

The majority (71%) of cereals advertised to children have at least eight grams of whole grains, a half serving. A third contain at least 12 grams, and more than a third have more whole grains than any other ingredient.

All of the participants’ cereals are a “good” source (10-19% of the government-established Daily Value) of nutrients that the government’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identified as “nutrients of concern” because of inadequate intake (calcium, fiber, potassium and vitamin D). More than half provide a good source of two of these nutrients. These cereals also are rich in other important nutrients, such as iron.

Further improvements are underway as a result of the participants’ adoption of CFBAI-developed uniform nutrition criteria that go into effect in December 2013.

NOTE TO MEDIA: CFBAI’s “2012 Cereals Snapshot” is available online here. Elaine Kolish is available for media interviews on this topic.

ABOUT BBB:

ABOUT CFBAI:

The CFBAI was launched in November 2006 with the goal of shifting the mix of ads directed to children to include healthier products ─ those with fewer calories, less sodium, sugar and fats, and more nutrient dense. The CFBAI’s participants agree to use science-based nutrition standards to govern their advertising primarily directed to children under 12 (“child-directed advertising”) or not to engage in such advertising. The participants represent the substantial majority of child-directed food advertising on TV.

The CFBAI’s 16 participants are: Burger King Corp.; Campbell Soup Company; The Coca-Cola Company; ConAgra Foods, Inc.; The Dannon Company; General Mills Inc.; The Hershey Company; Hillshire Brands (formerly Sara Lee Corp.); Kellogg Company; Kraft Foods Global, Inc.; Mars, Incorporated; McDonald’s USA, LLC; Nestlé USA; PepsiCo, Inc.; Post Foods, LLC and Unilever United States. For more information about the CFBAI, visit www.bbb.org/kids_food.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information, media representatives should contact Katherine Hutt (703-247-9345 or khutt@council.bbb.org) or Kelsey Owen (703-247-9376 or kowen@council.bbb.org).

Just Hang Up on New Twist in Jamaican Phone Scam

10/23/2012

Posted on 10/23/2012 by
A classic scam is back in action! Jamaican scammers are calling unsuspecting consumers across the country, but this time they are pretending to be representatives of BBB.

How the Scam Works:

You get a call from a phone number with a "876" area code. The person on the other line may have an accent but claims to work for BBB. The caller tells you that you won a sweepstakes with a prize of $2 million and a Mercedes Benz. The catch is that you can't collect your winnings until you pay them a fee.

This is the current scenario, but the scam will evolve as word gets out. Scammers are claiming to represent the Acadiana BBB in Louisiana, but this may change to another location or even another credibility-boosting organization, such as the FBI.

The scam itself also may change. Instead of asking victims to collect lottery winnings, scammers may ask for you to deposit a check and wire them part of the money or inform you that you are receiving a fake government grant.

I Think I've Found a Scam. What Should I Do?

Hang up and don't call the scammer back. We all like to have the last word, but returning the phone call may just give the con artist information he can use.
Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Check out FTC.gov for more information about making a phone fraud report.

For More Information:

Join the national Do Not Call registry. This won't stop scams entirely, but it can help reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.

To find out more about scams, check out the new BBB Scam Stopper.

New BBB Scam Stopper will help consumers protect themselves from fraud

10/23/2012

Posted on 10/23/2012 by

Better Business Bureau and Western Union today launched BBB Scam Stopper, an education campaign to help consumers in the United States and Canada avoid common scams that con artists use to commit consumer fraud.

Consumer fraud is a serious problem in North America. According to the Federal Trade Commission and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, consumers reported losing more than $1.5 billion to all types of scams in 2011.

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for September 2012

10/19/2012

Posted on 10/19/2012 by

Most Asked About Industries:

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1764
Roofing Contractors	1529
Electricians	1382
Dating Service	1343
Plumbing Contractors	1268
Solar Energy System Design & Installation	1117
Property Management	982
Solar Energy Equipment & Systems Dealers	976
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	843
Construction & Remodeling Services	816

Most Complained About Businesses

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Auto Dealers - New Cars	9	80%
Real Estate	9	100%
Banks	8	100%
Auto Renting & Leasing Companies	8	100%
Property Management Companies	7	100%
Restaurants	4	100%
Airlines	4	100%
Telephone Companies	4	NA
Travel Clubs	4	80%

Presentations Given During September - and amount of people reached or in attendance.

Presentation to Big Island Foster Grandparents Group	Monday September 17, 2012	ADRC Building Hilo	28
Kauai PrimeTime Wellness Fair	Tuesday September 25, 2012	Kauai Beach Resort	158
Hawaii Senior Fair/Good Life Expo	Friday September 28 - Sunday September 30, 2012	Blaisdell Exhibition Hall	500

Overall volume of activities Compared to September 11:

Web Traffic: 23.91% increase
Complaint Opened:(22% decrease
Requests for information: 26% increase
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 19% increase
Request A Quote requests: 9% increase
Mobile BBB Business Review: 25% increase

Just Hang Up on New Twist in Jamaican Phone Scam

10/19/2012

Posted on 10/19/2012 by

A classic scam is back in action! Jamaican scammers are calling unsuspecting consumers across the country, but this time they are pretending to be representatives of BBB.

How the Scam Works:

You get a call from a phone number with a "876" area code. The person on the other line may have an accent but claims to work for BBB. The caller tells you that you won a sweepstakes with a prize of $2 million and a Mercedes Benz. The catch is that you can't collect your winnings until you pay them a fee.

This is the current scenario, but the scam will evolve as word gets out. Scammers are claiming to represent the Acadiana BBB in Louisiana, but this may change to another location or even another credibility-boosting organization, such as the FBI.

The scam itself also may change. Instead of asking victims to collect lottery winnings, scammers may ask for you to deposit a check and wire them part of the money or inform you that you are receiving a fake government grant.

I Think I've Found a Scam. What Should I Do?

Hang up and don't call the scammer back. We all like to have the last word, but returning the phone call may just give the con artist information he can use.
Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Check out FTC.gov for more information about making a phone fraud report.

Scammers Taunt Twitter Users With Fake Facebook Video

10/3/2012

Posted on 10/3/2012 by
Twitter users, don't fall for this! A new scam uses direct messages to tease potential victims with a link to an embarrassing Facebook video. Try to view the clip, and you'll get a virus instead.

How the Scam Works:

You receive a Twitter direct message that seems to be alerting you to a video of yourself posted on Facebook. Senders try to grab your attention by implying that the video is embarrassing. Variations of the message include:

rofl they was taping you
how did you not see them taping u
whatt are you doing in this fb vid ?
what on earth you're doing on this movie
O M G your in this
what on earth could you be doing in our vid

The message contains a link that appears to go to a Facebook.com address. But users who click on it are greeted with what appears to be a video player and a warning message that "An update to Youtube player is needed." The message says it will install an update to Flash Player 10.1, but the file that downloads isn't a new version of Flash. It's a virus.

I Think I've Found a Scam. What Should I Do?

If another Twitter user is sending you links to maleware or other spam, report them to Twitter by following these instructions.
If you notice that your account is being used to send spam/maleware messages, your account has likely been hacked. Follow Twitter's instruction to reset your password and revoke connections to third-party applications.

For More Information:

For tips on how you can avoid phishing scams and prevent your account from being hacked, see Twitter's "Safe Tweeting" help page.

To find scams in your area, check BBB's scam directory.

Attract Consumers with these 3 Important Website Elements

10/1/2012

Posted on 10/1/2012 by

Consumers want one thing from your website- information. This can be anything from the company profile, service or product prices, testimonials, or contact information. The most important characteristic you need to know about these consumers, web users especially, is that they need this information fast.

No matter what kind of business you are- small or big; in order to grow you must be present online. To make your consumers happy, your website accounts for a large amount of that satisfaction. Consumers are looking for this information because they are interested in what you have to offer, your website sells your business almost immediately.

Three things you need to assess your website on is its’ design, content, and visibility. These three elements will help you to create a website that effectively markets your business.

The following are tips offered by Hawaii’s BBB for business owners:

Design:

When your page pops up, the user notices its overall appearance. The look of your website can turn away a customer or bring them in.

Be minimalistic. Pages with too much information especially on the first page will overwhelm a user and confuse them. Organize content by balancing your blank spaces, texts, and photos.

Make it easy to navigate. Make sure that your navigation bar is noticeable and contains words that your user will identify with so that it is easy for them to find the information they are looking for. The easiest way for users to find the information they are looking for is by having an easy-to-use navigation bar on every page they visit.

Content:

Information is key to a consumer’s opinion about your business. These content tips will help you to prioritize what kind of content you post and where to post them.

Links, Links, Links. In your main website add links to all of your affiliates like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or the Better Business Bureau. If you don’t have any, consider joining a social media platform or organization. Not only does this give your users an easy access to your other web presence but it also increases your page ranking in search engines.

Highlight your skills and values. Two main characteristics your prospective consumers want to know is “Are you reliable?” and “What make you different from similar businesses?” Make sure that the answers to their questions can be easily found in your website. Some ways you can do this is by adding a Testimonial or an About section.

Update your Content. Add content to your website frequently, whether it is text, pictures, or even links from your web affiliates, just make sure it keeps on coming. This is essential for your business’s exposure and search engine ranking.

Visibility:

What power does your information have if without any audience? There are many ways to bring in an audience and effectively. Listed are ways your website will gain viewers and be easily accessed.

Increase your ranking. Mentioned above were some ways you can increase your ranking. Your search engine ranking is vital for consumers to make a decision about your business. Use keywords, tags, and URLs effectively so that search engines can identify your website as trustworthy and will up your ranking.

Secure your website. Any type of web breach will cause unwanted problems. Prevent this by securing web information from hackers. Find web security software that best fits your business.

Be accessible everywhere and by everyone. Create a website that is accessible through different devices such as cellphones and tablets. Also create a web page that can be accessible to everyone including users with disabilities (e.g. mobility, vision impairment).

All these tips may be a lot to consume but with effective design, content, and visibility your web site’s information will be a lot easier for your users to find and consume.

BBB Secure Your ID Day - October 20th

10/1/2012

Posted on 10/1/2012 by

Honolulu (October 1, 2012) - You can't open a newspaperor a browser without reading about some data spill that has put consumers'personal information at risk. Over the past three years, more than 220 millionprivate records have been lost or stolen.

Hawaii’s BBB invites the Oahu community to BBB Secure Your ID Day on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at three locations on the island.

Individuals and small businesses are encouraged to take a key step in identity protection by shredding and properly disposing of sensitive paper documents,CDs, disks, hard drives, and unused cell phones. BBB staff will also be on-site to provide expert advice and tips for identity theft protection.

“Identity theft is a major issue in this country,” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau, “Although you cannot guarantee that you will never be a victim of id theft, you can minimize your risk by managing your personal information wisely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue.”

Hawaii’s BBB Secure Your ID Locations:

· McKinley High School: 1039 South King Street. Honolulu, HI 96814 (entrance off of Pensacola street)

· Aina Haina Elementary School: 801 West Hind Drive. Honolulu, HI 96821

· Access Information Management Oahu Destruction Center: 98-736 Moanalua Loop. Aiea, HI 96701

Bring up to three boxes of documents, CDs and floppy disks to be shredded and take home the tips and resources you need to help protect your identity. Paper documents should be removed from binders, but staples and paper clips can be shredded. Volunteers from Hawaii’s BBB and First Hawaiian Bank will be on-sit to provide advice and tips for identity theft protection.

The cell phones collected will be refurbished and donated to victims of domestic violence through Verizon's Hope Line.Verizon Wireless will remove all user content from the phones turned in, but consumers are encouraged to remove their own data prior to disposal. In addition, we will be accepting old laptops, CPUs, and servers for secure hard drive destruction for FREE

Hawaii’s BBB Secure Your ID Day is held in conjunction with National Protect Your Identity Week and sponsored by BBB Foundation of Hawaii, Access Information Management, and Pacific Corporate Solutions.

ABOUTHAWAII’S BBB
Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at www.bbb.org.

Invest in Research and not in a Ponzi or Pyramid Scheme

9/10/2012

Posted on 9/10/2012 by

When an opportunity knocks we tend to rush into taking it especially when a large amount of promise, monetary of course, is involved. When this prospect promises you quick success, it may entice you but do your research first because you may just be caught in a Ponzi or Pyramid scheme.

A Pyramid scheme promises investors large profits based mainly on recruiting others to join their program, not based on profits from any real investment or sale of goods to the public. Although the Pyramid scheme provides products for investors to sell, it does not mean that the products are the source of revenue. Instead the pyramid structure is hiding behind these products becausethe products either don’t exist or are “sold” within the Pyramid scheme. The revenue you’re actually making is through the amount of new members you recruit.

This is where the term pyramid comes into play because there are levels in the structure. The top level receives the highest percentage of profit because itis taken from each level below them. The levels below also gain profit but they come from the level below them. Basically, the higher you are in the pyramid the more profit you will make. But, the scheme will not last long because its sustainability depends on an exponential increase in the number of participants at each level.

The Ponzi scheme is quite similar to the Pyramid scheme with its basis of wanting to recruit members. The difference is that they have no products for you to sell and provides zero commission to investors who bring in new members. Typically a promise is made to the prospective member, which is that they will receive high investment returns with little or no risk by simply investing their money in the offered portfolio. These investments do not exist and members gains are through new members that are recruited.

Now with all this information about the Ponzi and Pyramid Scheme, consumers should know that there are real opportunities knocking. MLMs or Multi-Level Marketing are legal businesses that some people confuse to be a Ponzi or Pyramid scheme. MLM programs actually have products to sell and they are available to the general public without having the consumer pay extra or join the MLM program. MLMs employ independent distributors and the program can pay them commission because of real retail sales and not for new recruits.

Hawaii’s BBB advises you to do your research before you jump into any investment. Here are five questions you can look into to find out if the investment is genuine:

1. Is the seller licensed?

2. Isthe investment registered?

3. Howdo the risks compare with the potential rewards?

4. Do I understand the investment?

5. Where can I turn for help?

You can read more about finding answers to these questions by reading “Investing Smart from the Start: Five Questions to Ask Before You Invest” online at http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/fivequestions.htm.You can also contact your local BBB if you have any questions or feel you have been misled.

With so many opportunities to make money, the getting-rich- quick-route may be the most luring but do not commit and get caught into the scheme without doing your research because you may just lose just as much and just as quickly.

Kick off September With Kindness – Does Your Business Have What it Takes?

9/10/2012

Posted on 9/10/2012 by

A warm smile and a kind gesture can brighten even the gloomiest of days. When working with customers, it’s always important to recognize the integral part of quality service. September is National Courtesy Month and Better Business Bureau is encouraging business owners to recognize the importance of proper business etiquette for when it comes to dealing with customers.

The trust that’s established between a customer and a business is not only the foundation for a successful business transaction, but makes for an overall healthy business relationship between the business and the customer. The customer needs to feel that they have been heard and that they have received the time and patience from the business.

“First impressions matter,” commented Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “As a business owner, the first step to ensuring quality customer service is to provide that same quality service to your own employees. Do you greet your employees with a positive hello? Do you listen to them when they seek feedback? The kindness that you show to your employees will become threefold as it quickly trickles down to the level of the customer.”

Some BBB tips for business owners and managers:

Lead by example. Employees take their cue from management. Make sure that all senior staff are aware of how they treat their staff. Their staff can become the face of the business and it will be important that the positive interactions they receive from their management reflect in their daily interactions with customers.

Always greet your customer with a warm welcome. When a customer comes to your business, make sure to address them by name and with a friendly welcome. Customers pick up on your attitude and will quickly judge your business accordingly. A warm welcome invites the customer to stay a while and encourages them to do business with you.

Go the extra mile. Thank you notes, birthday cards, and personalized coupons are a great way to show your appreciation to your customers. If a customer makes a request for something special, do everything you can to say yes.

Give the customer the benefit of the doubt. Whether it’s online or in person, customers can and will complain at some point during your business’ lifetime. Make sure you know how to handle even the most disgruntled complaint. Give your employees guidelines on what to say and how to act. Respond consistently and timely if the complaint is online. Outsiders will see and appreciate your attempt to resolve, even if the disgruntled customer does not.

Seek out feedback. Ask your customers and fellow employees, “How are we doing?” Make an honest effort to resolve and execute any suggestions. Keeping customers and employees happy is the key to success for any business. Feedback allows for a great pat on the back and time to reflect on what needs to be changed.

For more business tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

In an Emergency, When Seconds Count, Know Where to Turn

9/7/2012

Posted on 9/7/2012 by

September is National Preparedness Month and what better time to ensure your family’s emergency readiness than with a month dedicated to your safety. Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when the seconds start to count. Better Business Bureau urges families to devise and discuss their disaster plans with their loved ones.

Safety is paramount in an emergency, but basic protective actions – for instance, whether to evacuate or shelter-in-place – can differ depending upon the disaster. There are important differences among potential emergencies that should influence the decisions you make and the actions you take.

“Families should familiarize themselves with website of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” recommends Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “It outlines the emergencies that could potentially occur where you live and offers the appropriate ways to respond to each.”

Two things every family needs no matter what the disaster, whether a natural disaster or terrorism, are an emergency plan and an emergency kit.

Recommended items for an emergency kit include:

a gallon of water per person per day for three days,
a three-day supply of nonperishable food for each family member,
a flashlight with extra batteries,
first-aid kit,
a whistle to signal for help,
dust masks,
a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities,
a power inverter or solar charger for your cell phone.

You may consider including prescriptions (at the very least a list of prescriptions), infant formula and diapers, pet food and cash. Place copies of important family documents (insurance policies, identification and financial records) in a waterproof, portable container near your escape route. Pencil and paper, paper cups and plates, and plastic utensils are useful. And if you have kids, pack some games, books or puzzles. Maintaining your kit is also important. You will want to replace stored water and food about every six months. Mark the date on containers or cans.

For an emergency plan, make sure all family members know where to meet and who to contact in the case you get separated. A relative or friend in another area is an ideal emergency contact person. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to send and receive text messages. Consider downloading smart phone apps that provide emergency information.

For more information you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

Protect Yourself from Investment Scams

9/7/2012

Posted on 9/7/2012 by

Before you invest your earnings, it is important to check for scams and verify credibility of the investment firm. Asking questions, research the company, reach out to local investment firms and advisers, talk to other investors. It’s essential to take precaution with all investment opportunities.

Studies show that investment scams are on the rise over the past decade. Baby boomers in particularly are more vulnerable to such schemes, as many are now managing their own retirement account. In 2010, state securities regulators initiated more than 1200 enforcement actions, including criminal complaints and cease-and-desist orders, involving investors ages 50 or older, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association. That was more than double the 506 cases in 2009.

FINRA Investor Education Foundation, specializing in investment fraud, has a plethora of valuable information to help you sort through your next investment decision making. FINRA has provided three key strategies you can use if you aren’t certain about a specific investment opportunity:

1. End the conversation

Practice saying “No”. Simply tell the person, “I am sorry, I am not interested. Thanks you.” Or tell anyone who pressures you, “I never make investing decisions without first consulting my___. I will contact you if I am still interested.” Fill in the blank with whom ever you choose – your spouse, child, investment professional, attorney or accountant. Knowing your exit strategy in advance makes it easier to leave the conversation, even if the pressure starts rising.

2. Turn the tables and ask questions

A legitimate investment professional must be properly licensed, and his or her firm must be registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state securities regulator, depending on the type of business the firm conducts.

3. Talk to someone first

Be extremely skeptical if the person promoting the deal says, “Don’t tell anyone else about this special deal!” A legitimate investment professional won’t ask you to keep secrets.

Exercising these three key strategies will help protect you from fraudsters. Remember, the more knowledgeable you are when making investments, the less likely you are to become a victim. When making an investment there’s no urgency to race against the clock – take your time and make an informed decision.

For more information on protecting yourself from investment fraud, visit www.saveandinvest.org.

Grandparent Scams are on the Rise – Do you Know the Red Flags?

9/7/2012

Posted on 9/7/2012 by

Sunday, September 9^th is National Grandparents and as we look to celebrate this day with the grandparents that we love, it’s important to take the time to educate our loved ones on the scams that target them. Better Business Bureau is warning well-meaning seniors about “emergency” scams designed to fool them into thinking that their grandchild is hurt, arrested or stranded, and in need of money.

According to recent FBI reports, the “Grandparent Scam” has been around since 2008, but there has been a surge recently. Retirees are an attractive target for financial scammers. As noted by Western Union, emergency scams play off of peoples’ emotions and strong desire to help others in need. Scammers impersonate their victims and make up an urgent situation – “I’ve been arrested,” “I’ve been mugged,” “I’m in the hospital” – and target friends and family with urgent pleas for help, and money.

BBB offers the following tips to avoid the Grandparent Scam:

Communicate. Teens should share travel plans with family members before leaving the state or country.

Share information. Teens should provide the cell phone number and email address of a friend they are traveling with in the case of an emergency. Family members should remind students to be cautious when sharing details about travel plans on social media.

Know the red flags. Typically, the grandparent receives a frantic phone call from a scammer posing as their grandchild. The “grandchild” explains that he or she has gotten into trouble and needs help, perhaps caused a car accident or was arrested for drug possession. The "grandchild" pleads to the grandparents not to tell his or her parents and asks that they wire thousands of dollars for reasons posting bail, repairing the car, covering lawyer's fees or even paying hospital bills for a person the grandchild injured in a car accident.

Ask a personal question, but don’t disclose too much information. If a grandparent receives a call from someone claiming to be their grandchild in distress, BBB advises that the grandparent not disclose any information before confirming that it really is their grandchild. If a caller says "It's me, Grandma!" don't respond with a name, but instead let the caller explain who he or she is. One easy way to confirm their identity is to ask a simple question that the grandchild would know such as what school he or she goes to or their middle name.

For more information you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

BBB Phishing Email Alert

8/31/2012

Posted on 8/31/2012 by
“For the past 9+ months, BBB has been the victim of a massive phishing scam that uses our name and logo to fool people into thinking the email is from BBB concerning a complaint against their business. Although they appear to be coming from a BBB computer, they are not.

The emails appear to have been totally random in who they are sent to. They have gone to businesses, but they have also gone to individuals who have never owned a business, as well as to educational, nonprofit and government addresses. There is no indication that BBB Accredited Businesses are being targeted.

The emails appear to be part of a criminal campaign that has spoofed other trusted identities, including Bank of America, Intuit (maker of Turbo-Tax) and the Internal Revenue Service. The FBI has made this a priority and CBBB is working closely with their cyber crime division and other law enforcement agencies to shut down the scammers.

The spammers’ goal is to get as many email recipients as possible to click on the link within the email which redirects to a website infected with malware. If you clicked on the link within these emails, your computer is likely to be infected. The criminals then use that malware to transfer money out of bank accounts or obtain additional email addresses.

BBB is directing many resources to combat this attack. We have hired security specialists to track the fraudulent emails and shut down the websites hosting the malware. We have been working with forensic criminal experts to make sure no malware has infiltrated BBB’s computers or those of our vendors.

In the past week, many recipients have gotten multiple copies – sometimes dozens or even hundreds – of the same email. This may be due to some unsophisticated “copycat” spammers who don’t even know or care that they are sending multiples of the same email.

The two things people can do right now to prevent being victimized by this scam or other phishing scams:

Install good anti-virus software on your computer(s) and get regular updates of virus definitions several times a day.
Never click on links in emails that have come to you unsolicited.

If you have clicked on a link in one of these emails, run a complete system scan of your computer or network, and make sure your anti-virus software includes elimination of the Zeus or Z-bot virus.”
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ABOUT BBB: For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reviews on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 116 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

Memorial Day Scams Target Military, Families, Supporters

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who serve and remember those who have died in war. But sadly, it has also become a key opportunity for scammers to target those who are serving or have served their nation, especially elderly veterans. BBB is urging consumers and donors to be on the lookout for deals that seem too good to be true, and for disreputable charities.

“The unique lifestyle of our service members makes them prime targets for scammers,” notes Brenda Linnington, Director of BBB Military Line. “It’s imperative that we educate our service members and ensure that the support we give to them equals the effort they make every day on behalf of us.” Linnington said scams can include those that target service personnel and their families directly, but also those that appear to be helping military members via charities.

“Donors need to watch out for questionable charities that raise funds on behalf of military organizations,” adds Art Taylor, President and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. “When you make a donation, always checkwww.give.org to see that the group meets BBB charity standards, especially around Memorial Day. Too many solicitors that fail to meet BBB standards call and say they help veterans, service members or their families, and little of the money donated will serve that purpose.”

Among the scams to watch out for:

• Posing as the Veterans Administration and contacting veterans to say they need to update their credit card, bank or other financial records with the VA;

• Charging service members for services they could get for free or less expensively elsewhere, such as military records;

• Fraudulent investment schemes that convince veterans to transfer their assets into an irrevocable trust;

• Offering “instant approval” military loans (“no credit check,” “all ranks approved”) that can have high interest rates and hidden fees;

• Advertising housing online with military discounts and incentives, and then bilking service personnel out of the security deposit;

• Trying to sell things like security systems to spouses of deployed military personnel by saying the service member ordered it to protect his or her family;

• Selling stolen vehicles at low prices by claiming to be soldiers who need to sell fast because they’ve been deployed;

• Posing as government contractors recruiting veterans and then asking for a copy of the job applicants’ passport (which contains a lot of personal information);

• Posing on online dating services as a lonely service member in a remote part of Iraq or Afghanistan, and then asking for money to be wired to a third party for some emergency.

For more information, visit www.bbb.org/us/military-line.

How to Protect Your Credit Scores by Evaluating Credit Card Debt

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by
Typically every spring, we all like to spend time tackling home repairs that may have fallen by the wayside over the winter months. But there’s one more important spring-cleaning task you shouldn’t forget to add to your To-Do list: reviewing your credit and finances. It’s a great time to assess your total debt and get an understanding of the outstanding payments your need to make throughout the year, as well as the effect your borrowing is having on your credit scores. Here are easy tips to follow as you prepare your credit for the year:

Take stock of your credit cards. Often, our credit card debt is comprised of unnecessary spending. By understanding how much of your monthly income is going toward things you really don’t need, you will be in a better position to figure out ways to reduce your debt and help protect your credit. One way to take stock of your spending is to list all of your current credit cards and their corresponding interest rates. Since charges from interest rates can slowly add up and increase your debt, you should determine which of your credit cards is costing you the most money. Then, use this knowledge to make an informed decision about which credit cards are not worth using for a while.

Analyze where the debt came from. Just as home repairs can be seasonal, your credit card spending can increase and decrease in certain seasons. So, when you sit down to analyze your spending, you should be sure to make note of the time period when the most spending occurred. For instance, by determining the true cost of your holiday borrowing, you may be able to better adjust your budget in order to begin saving for the next holiday season, so that you will have an idea of the kind of debt you may be adding at that time.

Prioritize your high-interest debt. After conducting a thorough analysis of your credit card spending and debt, check credit scores, credit reports, and savings account(s) to see where you stand. Then, use that information to consider where and how you might want to allocate your upcoming credit card payments. By focusing on debt with the highest interest first, you maybe be able to eliminate some of your wasteful spending this spring, as long as you continue to make timely payments and stay on top of your debt.

Don’t Fall Victim to a Father’s Day Shopping Scam

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by

According to the US Census Bureau, there are 70.1 million fathers across the nation – that’s a whole lot of dads, and whole lot of Father’s Day gifts that could fall victim to a shopping scam.

As we look to celebrate this special day with the men we love, it’s important to know how to spend money wisely on the perfect gift for Dad. Better Business Bureau has some suggestions.

“Whether you’re looking to get Dad something traditional like a watch, or something flashier like the latest electronic gadget, check out the business first,” noted Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “These gifts can get expensive. Always make sure to get information on refund, exchange and warranties in writing. Don’t hesitate to ask if there is a return time limit, and get a gift receipt to enclose with your gift in case Dad needs to take it back.”

BBB offers the following ideas and tips for Father’s Day gifts:

Gift Cards and Certificates: Check the terms and conditions of any gift card or certificate prior to purchase to ensure that the expiration date and any other conditions won’t be problematic. If you are giving a gift card to someone who will make online purchases, be sure the gift card is redeemable for Internet shopping and not just for in-store use.

Electronics: Whether you plan to give Dad a camera, GPS system, phone, music player, DVD player or other electronic device, be sure that you don't remove it from its box before wrapping it up as a gift. Many electronics stores require the original packaging in order to process returns or exchanges.

Recreational Rentals: If you’re interested in renting ATVs, campers, canoes, kayaks, motorcycles or other recreational equipment this Father’s Day, be sure that you get a written contract that includes details such as the base rental cost, daily fees, insurance and time restrictions. Also, take the time to visually inspect the rental and get written proof of any existing damage before renting the equipment.

Guides, Tours and Classes: Fishing, sightseeing, skydiving and golf lessons are a fun way to celebrate and spend time with Dad. However, it’s important to get details about these classes and adventures in writing and in advance of the trip. Be sure to clarify all of the factors listed below:

Are reservations required and if so, by when?
What are the total costs and features?
What services and equipment are included?
Are taxes or any other charges added?
Are there any restrictions or special time requirements?
Are there any cancellation or refund penalties or policies?

Sail Into Wedding Season Confident and Insured

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by

Nobody wants to think of the possibility of getting jilted on their wedding day. The day is supposed to be magical but, as smart shoppers know, anything can happen…even on your Big Day. From a sudden cancellation to stolen gifts to a damaged gown, wedding insurance can help protect you against the unforeseen, and can also afford you great peace of mind. Better Business Bureau and the wedding planning website The Knot recommend investing in wedding insurance before your special day.

“Wedding insurance is a great way to protect yourself from the unforeseen, especially when weddings can be so costly,” said Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Wedding insurance can cover a range of prospective problems such as vendor no-shows, cancellations, inclement weather, military deployment, medical emergencies, travel delays and more, so that you won’t lose money if plans have to change.”

When looking to invest in wedding insurance, take the following tips into consideration:

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost? A basic insurance policy that covers loss of photos, videos, attire, presents, rings, and deposits usually costs between $155 and $550, depending on the amount of coverage you want. General liability insurance, which covers up to $1,000,000 for accidents, costs around $185.

Do You Really Need Wedding Insurance? Before you buy wedding insurance, check with your each of your vendors to see how well they're covered. Make sure to check that they are a reputable business via their BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org. Your reception site or your caterer may also already have their own insurance, so you wouldn't want to pay for overlapping coverage out of your own pocket. Make sure to get everything in writing and ask your vendors for a copy of their policy to see where you aren't fully covered.

When Should You Get Wedding Insurance? The sooner the better. Let's say you put a deposit on your wedding reception hall 12 months prior to your wedding date and then it burns to the ground a few weeks before the big day. With wedding insurance, you'll be sure to get your deposit back. Make sure you know how far in advance you can purchase the insurance, some insurance companies have limitations.

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover? Problems with the site, weather, vendors, key people, sickness, or injury are the top concerns come wedding day. There is usually a specified maximum amount, which can be claimed under each section, and a deductible also applies. Be sure to find out the details of your insurance plan.

Shop Smart – Spend Less on Back-to-School Supplies this School Year

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by
School bells will be ringing before we know it. Now’s the time to take advantage of annual back-to-school specials on supplies. Whether you plan to shop at your favorite retail store or in the drawers and closets of your home, Better Business Bureau recommends sticking to a budget to avoid the common overspending on school supplies.

According to the National Retail Federation, parents will be shopping carefully and making special efforts to save on supplies this school year. 31% of families say they will do comparative shopping online (compared to 29.8% last year), and they will use more coupons (38.7% vs. 36.9%), and cut back on extracurricular activities or sports (14.3% vs. 10.2%).

Many retailers offer back-to-school “freebies” to entice shoppers. Coupons, deals, and giveaways are always nice, but make sure you actually need the items first. There’s no need to spend money on new crayons, colored pencils, and notebooks if all it takes is a good sharpening or tearing out a few used pages from the previous year.

BBB recommends considering the following when it comes to back-to-school shopping:

Take inventory. There’s always that endless supply of makers, crayons and notebooks around the house. Reusing these items can save hundreds of dollars over the years. Consider repackaging, sharpening, and cleaning out older, gently used items before buying new ones.
Look for the deals. Some retailers’ back-to-school specials are available for online and in-store purchase. Make sure to check out your local newspaper for deals. Oftentimes, retailers will put ads showcasing the special buy-one-get-one=free deals, and even coupled items like lunchboxes with backpacks to lure in customers. Shop sooner rather than later and save more.

Set a budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend per child, and include your children for a “teachable moment” on creating a budget. After taking inventory, create a shopping list and stick to it. This will help you avoid costly impulse purchases and ensure nothing is forgotten.

Shop during tax free holidays. Many states have tax-free days in August, which can mean significant savings. Be mindful of restrictions, either a dollar amount or on the type of item purchased. Most tax holidays include clothing and school supplies; some include computers and sports equipment, too.

Know what your child's school allows. Schools will often provide parents with a list of required items for the school year, which can help determine what you need to purchase. These lists are also available at many retail stores and on school websites. Additionally, many schools have specific dress codes, so keep these restrictions in mind before spending money on clothes the school may not allow.

Check for refund and exchange policies. Be sure you can exchange or return items purchased during this time period. Keep in mind some items may be non-refundable or have restocking fees associated with a return.
For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org

Small Business Tip: Turning Warm Leads Into Hot Prospects

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by

Small Business Tip: Turning Warm Leads Into Hot Prospects

No matter what your business, you need two things: a happy, loyal customer base and a steady stream of new prospects. The Direct Selling EducationFoundation (DESF) offers some great suggestions in its free e-book, Business Owners’ Road Map to Success.

Although DSEF focuses on companies that offer direct selling opportunities for consultants, the information in their e-book is relevant to just about any small business. Here are their tips for turning warm leads into hot prospects:

· Create a “warm market list” of everyone you can think of who might be interested in the products or services you are selling.

· Narrow it down to a“most likely” list of those who could purchase from you immediately.

· Invite your “most likely” list to a small party, BBQ, open house, etc. Don’t try to sell them anything, just make this about introducing your business to them. Ask if you can set a follow-up appointment.

· Make the follow-up appointments and keep narrowing down your list to the most supportive and interested potential customers. These are the people who not only will be most likely to buy from you, but also to refer new business to you.

· Offer excellent customer service consistently, especially to your loyal and repeat customers.

· Use social media to connect with people on your “warm market list” and to continue to build relationships. Also use social media to offer solutions, tips and useful information related to your products or services. Think of your social media networks as a subtle way to introduce new products and services, not as e-commerce.

· Meet prospects for coffee or breakfast to discuss your business.

· Keep your appointments social, friendly and pressure-free. Ask questions and show people how your products or services can help meet their needs or solve their problems. Even if they are not interested for themselves, they may refer other potential customers to you.

· Always have your appointment book handy so you can book follow-ups whenever you meet a potential customer, even at social and family gatherings.

· Don’t leave requests for information open-ended; get contact information and follow up promptly.

· Get involved inorganizations and causes that are important to your warm market list.

· Keep track of everyoneyou meet and use quantity of contacts and prospects to grow your business. Youwill encounter “no’s” along the way, but stay positive and keep connecting,networking and making appointments.

For more tips from DSEF, download the free e-book atwww.dsef.org or Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheDSEF.

Door to Door Selling Complaints Projected to Double over Last Year

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by

Door-to-doorSelling Complaints Projected to Double Over Last Year

Better Business Bureau receives thousands of complaints each year from consumers who unknowingly fall for scamming door-to-door solicitors. While many door-to-door sales persons are honest, BBB receives troubling complaints from consumers who purchased items like magazines that never came, cosmetics and photography of poor quality, even meat that was no good. BBB warns that deceptive door-to-door sellers are looking to make a quick buck…and they’re on the rise.

In 2012, BBB has already received more than a thousand complaints about door-to-door magazine sellers and dealers, a number that’s well on its way to nearly doubling last year’s whopping 1,300 complaints. Sellers often use high pressure sales tactics that can have anyone falling victim.

“Unscrupulous marketers sometimes trick consumers into paying hundreds of dollars for items they don’t want or can’t afford,” says Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Oftentimes, their presentations are so slick that consumers aren’t even aware that they have actually made a purchase.”

BBB offers these tips on dealing with high pressure, door-to-door sellers:

Magazinesubscriptions:BBB has already received more than 600 complaints in 2012 against companies selling magazines door-to-door. The most common complaint BBB receives involvesconsumers paying for magazines they never receive. Several consumers allege the sales representative misled them by claiming to work for a local school orcharity fundraiser.

Foodproducts:Sales representatives knock on doors selling produce or meat products, claiming their prices are much lower than grocery stores. So far in 2012, BBB hasreceived 25 complaints against companies selling meat products door-to-door. Consumer complaints to BBB allege that their orders never arrive, or are not ofthe high quality originally promised.

Other industries employing door-to-door sales tactics that BBB receives the most complaints about are cosmetics, photography and cleaning supply companies.

If visited by a door-to-door sales representative, BBB recommends consumers do thefollowing:

Be safe. Ask for identification before you open the door. Never invite the solicitor into your home.

Bewary of high pressure sales tactics. A trustworthy company should let you take time to think about the purchase and compare prices before buying or putting down a deposit.

Research the company with BBB. Visit bbb.org to view the company’s BBB Business Review to find out more about their market place performance. If you have a smart phone, you can download and use the BBB app to access the company’s report while the person is standing at your door, or visitm.bbb.org on your mobile device.

Gettransaction details in writing. Be sure you receive a contract or receipt explaining the details of your purchase and all the terms and conditions that apply.

Remember the “Three-Day Cooling-OffRule.” The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives consumers three days to cancel purchases of more than $25 that are made in their home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, the salesperson should always provide a cancellation form that can be sent to the company to cancel the purchase within three days. By law, the company must give consumers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.

Listencarefully and be aware of high pressure sales tactics. Some unscrupulous door-to-door sellers will put pressure on you to close the deal at that moment, and even make special offers to entice you. Listen to their tone. Are they increasing in volume as they speak to you? Are they ignoring you despite saying you are not interested? Find a way to end the conversation quickly to avoid long, drawn-out sales pitches.

Standstrong.Do not invite unsolicited salespeople into your home. If you do allow a salesperson inside and decide during the presentation that you are not interested in making a purchase, simply ask him or her to leave. If the salesperson refuses to leave, threaten to call the police, and follow through if they don’t leave immediately.

Victims of fraudulent door-to-door sales can file a complaint with their Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org, local law enforcement, or state Attorney General’s office.

Protect yourself and your possessions from bogus movers

8/13/2012

Posted on 8/13/2012 by
Rod Davis of Council of Better Business Bureau speaks about protecting yourself from bogus movers. http://video.foxnews.com/v/1781982319001

Email Phishing Scam Hijacks BBB Name, Again!

7/31/2012

Posted on 7/31/2012 by

A new scam using the BBB name popped up this morning, and has been received by consumers and businesses across the U.S. and Canada…including many BBB offices!

How the Scam Works:

Two versions of the email have been received. One claims to be following up on a complaint filed with BBB, the other is asking for updated contact information “as a service to BBB Accredited Businesses.”

Both are good fakes – they use correct grammar and follow formats often used by BBB, so they look quite realistic. Both refer the recipient to an online form, and the address appears to be that of a local BBB. However, if you hover your mouse over the web address (the part that begins with http), you can see that the real address is not BBB at all. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK! The link actually takes you to a rogue website that downloads a Trojan virus on your computer.

BBB is working with a professional deactivation service to take down the websites that are spreading the malware, and we have reported the incident to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Consumers are urged to delete suspicious emails and keep their anti-virus software up-to-date at all times.

Example of the Phishing Email:

Check out a screen shot of a sample phishing email. The text is below:

Thank you for supporting your Better Business Bureau (BBB).
As a service to BBB Accredited Businesses, we try to ensure that the information we provide to potential customers is as accurate as possible. In order for us to provide the correct information to the public, we ask that you review the information that we have on file for your company.
We encourage you to use our ONLINE FORM to provide us with this updated information. The URL below will take you directly to this form on our website:
[LINK REMOVED]
(UserID: 882600422 Password: mcvn34JDF3r54f)
You may also complete the form on the reverse side of this letter and mail to PO Box 1000; DuPont, WA; 98327; or fax to (206)436-5496.
Please look carefully at your telephone and fax numbers on this sheet, and let us know any and all numbers used for your business (including 800, 900, rollover, and remote call forwarding). Our automated system is driven by telephone/fax numbers, so having accurate information is critical for consumers to find information about your business easily.
Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to receiving this updated information.
Sincerely,
Accreditation Services

BBB to Ring NYSE Bell to Celebrate Centennial

7/27/2012

Posted on 7/27/2012 by

WHAT:
Better Business Bureau (BBB) executives and guests will visit the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and ring The Closing Bell to celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary.

WHEN:
Friday, July 27 at 4:00 p.m. (media escort is at 3:30 p.m.)

WHERE:
New York Stock Exchange, Exchange Place and Broad Street, New York, NY

WHO:
Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO, Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), will ring the bell. She will accompanied by:

Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO, BBB of Metropolitan New York
Sheryl Bilbrey, President and CEO, BBB San Diego and chair of the BBB Operating Committee
Rhonda J. McLean, Chair of BBB of Metropolitan New York and Deputy General Counsel, Time Inc.
Lisa Davis, Vice Chair of BBB of Metropolitan New York and Sr. Director Communications & Public Affairs, Sony Corporation of America
Brian F. Doran, Treasurer of BBB of Metropolitan New York and Region Executive, New York Metro Region & Director of Governmental Affairs, Popular Community Bank
Michael Portegello, Vice Chair of BBB of Metropolitan New York and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Valerie Reardon, Vice Chair of BBB of Metropolitan New York and Senior Vice President, Compliance, Internal Audit and Internal Controls, EmblemHealth
Edward J. DeSalvio, Board Member of BBB of Metropolitan New York and Managing Director, Asset Recovery Division, BNY Mellon
Beverly Baskin, CBBB Senior Vice President, Client Services
Lee Peeler, CBBB Executive Vice President
Katherine Hutt, CBBB Director of Communications and Media Relations

WHY:
BBB was founded in 1912 by corporate executives who were fed up with deceptive advertising and fraudulent claims. For a century, BBB has fostered trust in the marketplace by helping consumers make smarter buying decisions through BBB Business Reviews; resolving disputes between consumers and businesses; and educating the public on scams and fraud. Nearly 400,000 Accredited Businesses and National Partners share BBB’s commitment to ethical business via stringent standards and best practices and, thanks to their support, nearly all BBB services are free to the public.

SCHEDULE:
NYSE Security Checkpoint/Tent at corner of Exchange Place and Broad Street
3:30 p.m. Media escorted into the building for bell ringing
4:00 p.m. The Closing Bell rings

CONTACT:
Media interested in covering the bell ringing MUST contact Anthony Drizis at 212.656.2147 or adrizis@nyx.com.

BBB media contact is Katherine Hutt at 571-422-3584 or khutt@council.bbb.org.

PHOTO/VIDEO:
Photos available via Associated Press/New York (212.621.1902), Reuters America (646.223.6285), Getty Images (646.613.4141), Bloomberg Photo (212.617.3420) and European Press Agency (917.670.1323). The Closing Bell (starting at 3:55 p.m.) feed is available via Ascent loop #4009. Media seeking footage via The Switch should contact NYSE Broadcast at 212.656.5483.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
For photos and video of the bell ringing, connect with NYSE Euronext on Facebook (NYSE Euronext-Official Site), YouTube (nysetv1), and Twitter (@NYSEEuronext), #NYSEBell and #BBBbellring

ABOUT BBB:
For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 115 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation. BBB Metro New York was founded in 1922 by the New York Stock Exchange to fight investment fraud, a mission that continues today.

Recent Popular Tweets and Links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter and Facebook

7/17/2012

Posted on 7/17/2012 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook:

Retail becomes a viable route to the job market for college grads: http://buswk.co/M11DYk

325,000 pounds frozen meat recalled due to Listeria: cbsn.ws/NjqINj

Matson moves headquarters to Hawaii: bit.ly/LGc43x

“Hi Grandma” Scam Makes Blood Boil: bit.ly/NgzPOY

Anatomy of an Investment Scam: bit.ly/NgzJ9Y

Multitasking: The good and the bad of trying to do everything at once: bit.ly/LTGy2c

Don’t get Steered into Paying Extra for a Rental Car this summer! bit.ly/LS9gjS

Carving up the failing Blackberry: bit.ly/LGcSp9

US approves new weight-loss pill: bbc.in/LGcjeQ

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter and Facebook

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for June 2012

7/17/2012

Posted on 7/17/2012 by

Most AskedAbout Businesses

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1643
Roofing Contractors	1510
Pest Control Services	1336
Plumbing Contractors	1282
Electricians	1128
Construction & Remodeling Services	928
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	925
Solar Energy Equipment & Systems Dealers	845
Real Estate	843
Property Management	808

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Travel Clubs	8	100%
Real Estate	6	100%
Auto Dealers - New Cars	6	100%
Auto Renting & Leasing	6	100%
Property Management Companies	6	100%
Banks	5	100%
Restaurants	5	0%
Towing - Automotive	4	NA
Health & Medical - General	4	100%
Airlines	4	100%
Television Stations & Broadcast Companies	4	100%

BBBConsumer Services

Complaints opened: 233
Requests for information*: 76,716

Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 21,164

Total BBBOnLine SealClicks for Hawaii Participants: 2,168

Requestsfor Quotes: 332

BBB Accreditation

New BBB Accredited Businesses: 13

Declined Applications: 3

RevokedAccredited Businesses: 0

New BBBOnLineparticipants: 42

New BBB Accredited Charities: 1

Visitors to Hawaii’s BBB Web site: 54,733

BBBBusiness or Charity Reviews accessed bymobile device: 13,245

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for May 2012

7/17/2012

Posted on 7/17/2012 by

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1705
Roofing Contractors	1507
Electricians	1203
Pest Control Services	1100
Plumbing Contractors	1033
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	948
Construction & Remodeling Services	918
Property Management Companies	866
Auto Body Repair & Painting	839
Real Estate	817

Most Complained About Businesses

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Auto Dealers - New Cars	14	100%
Airlines	9	100%
Property Management	6	100%
Auto Dealers - Used Cars	5	100%
Telephone Companies	5	100%
Solar Energy Equipment & Systems Dealers	5	100%
Travel Clubs	5	100%
Mopeds	4	0%
Auto Repair & Service	4	100%
Product Sales - General	4	100%
Television Stations & Broadcast Companies	4	100%

Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 16,839

Total BBBOnLine SealClicks for Hawaii Participants: 2,056

Requestsfor Quotes: 325

BBB Accreditation

New BBB Accredited Businesses: 16

Declined Applications: 0

RevokedAccredited Businesses: 0

New BBBOnLineparticipants: 62

Visitors to Hawaii’s BBB Web site: 53,921

BBBBusiness or Charity Reviews accessed bymobile device: 12,739

Stay-at-Home Vacations Don’t Have to Be Boring!

7/5/2012

Posted on 7/5/2012 by

What does “staycation” mean to you?

For some people, it means getting lots of home and garden projects done – painting, repairs, or tending vegetable gardens. For others, it means having budget-friendly adventures at or close to home – nearby parks and attractions, a neighborhood block party or a camping trip in the yard.

Staycations have become quite popular due to economic challenges, allowing more families to vacation while sticking to a budget. Other benefits include more quality time with family, and not dealing with the stress associated with traveling.

No matter what your staycation plans, BBB recommends that you check it out ahead of time to make sure the business or offer is legitimate. Breaking the bank to vacation is not a good option, but fortunately, most consumers are budgeting wisely and making smart decisions. According to an American Express survey, American households can expect to spend about an average of $1,200 per person on summer vacations. It’s no surprise staycations have become commonplace.

Hanging out with the family and chillin’ close to home is especially attractive to people on a budget who don’t want to go into debt financing a big trip. But there are plenty of fun things to do nearby, as you’ll discover in ClearPoint Credit Counseling’s eBook, Budget Vacations in Your State. In this free eBook, there are several exciting opportunities listed for each state -- and this could inspire you to conduct your own search for other free and inexpensive activities in your own backyard.

Those of you who still plan to travel this summer will be accompanied by more travelers than last year. Eighty-six percent of travelers are planning trips this summer (up five percent from last year), according to TripAdvisor. Thanks to lower gas prices, more people will travel by car than by air.

Hit the road or staycation at home, either way check out the businesses you deal with by heading first to www.bbb.org.

Looking to Hire a Contractor? Know Where to Look and Whom to Pick

7/5/2012

Posted on 7/5/2012 by

More and more businesses are hiring consultants and contractors to fill vacant positions or to perform specific tasks within the company, and some of them are never actually present in the office but spend the majority of their time working remotely. Better Business Bureau is advising businesses that are looking to grow their workforce, whether through remote consultants or in-house contractors, to consider a few simple tips to finding the consultant who’s right for the business’s needs.

“Both in-house and remote contractors can be a great business strategy to augment permanent staff or get one-time projects completed,” said Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus and a former consultant herself. “Technology is on our side when it comes to having consultants work remotely, but it’s important to take the time in the hiring process to ensure that you don’t waste your business’s resources on a contractor who doesn’t live up to your expectations.”

BBB suggests the following tips to help find consultants who are right for your business:

The key to picking the right consultant is to be certain that your company needs one. Take the time to lay out the specifics of the problem you face, the exact objective you want to accomplish, and a time frame for doing so. Consider whether your immediate “problem” is a symptom of a larger issue or simply due to a lack of internal manpower. By carefully thinking things through, you may discover that you do not need an outsider to identify the true problem. Maybe one of your employees has the ability and the desire to do the job.

Ask around. Your business network is a great place to start. Check websites like LinkedIn to find people you may know. Ask people you trust for referrals to qualified consulting firms or sole practitioners. Contact each referral with a brief letter, email or phone call describing the project, your industry conditions and your management style.

Schedule an introductory meeting with three or more of your best prospects. This will allow you the opportunity, by asking pointed questions, to verify that the consultant has experience with the specific problem or project, and your industry.

Check references thoroughly. Reputable consultants should be able to provide references readily, while would-be-consultants will have few, if any, to offer. Also check to see if the consultant is accredited by a national association. Some associations do extensive background checks and their members usually must be in business for at least five years. They may also hold members to professional codes of conduct.

Get a written proposal. Reliable consultants will provide a written, detailed proposal before the contract is signed. Without specifics you could end up losing valuable time and money.

Clearly spell out all fees. Consultants can charge a fixed fee, an hourly rate or a monthly retainer. Hourly rates could raise your costs substantially, so ask the consultant to put a ceiling on the job to cap your expenses…and make sure the consultant knows who is authorized to assign them additional tasks that are not spelled out in the contract. Also beware of the consultant who asks for all of the money up-front. Depending upon the industry, it can be customary to pay as much as one-third to one-half in advance, with the rest due on specific dates or upon completion of the project.

Keep good records. For each consultant you hire, establish a file, which should contain the consultant’s contract, invoices, copies of 1099 forms and any other information that shows the worker is operating an independent business. This may include the consultant’s business card and stationery. This is important to establish that the consultant is not working as an employee and that you are not required to deduct payroll taxes, pay a portion of his or her Social Security, etc. This is especially important if the consultant ever works on-site at your facility.

Consultants can be a great addition to your team and can really help you when your internal resources are stretched. As Rick Blaine says at the end of “Casablanca,” this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Hire contractors as carefully and selectively as you would employees and you can write your own happy ending!

For more business tips, go to www.bb.org/ and click on For Businesses.

Don’t get Steered into Paying Extra for a Rental Car

7/5/2012

Posted on 7/5/2012 by
Gasoline prices have dropped for the 10th week in a row and are closing in on $3.50 a gallon, according to AAA. This just may be the perfect time for a road trip! Better Business Bureau recommends tips for renting a car without breaking the bank.

In 2011, BBB received 3,773 complaints against the auto renting and leasing industry. Many of the complaints were a result of billing and contracting issues. When it comes to navigating the rental car process, there many little details that oftentimes leave consumers confused as they eagerly wait to get on the road.

“Even though you’re excited to hit the road, take the time to inspect the car and ask questions,” notes Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Car rentals can make any trip easier, but make sure you know your options, such as additional add-ons, before signing on the dotted line.”

BBB recommends the following tips to avoid overspending when looking to rent a car:

Shop around and lookout for hidden charges. There are several different budget travel websites that can give a good scope of what’s out there price wise. Make sure to follow-up with the rental car websites’ directly to see if you can snag an even cheaper rate. Always remember, though, if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t fall for the low-ball offer and make sure to always clarify which taxes, surcharges and other fees you’ll be expected to pay. Many states have additional fees for drivers under age 25 or for multiple drivers.

Opt for a smaller car. If you’re traveling solo, or don’t need a lot of leg room or trunk space, go for the smaller car. Oftentimes, the salesperson will steer you in the direction of an upgrade for “only a few extra dollars” because the smaller economy cars are in high demand – just say no, and stick to the smaller car (or smile politely and ask for a free upgrade).

Ask lots of questions. Make sure that you understand where the “unlimited mileage” rates apply. Some rental car companies have restrictions and only apply the mileage to certain states.

Gas up and be on time. Many times, car rental companies will ask if you want to prepay for gas – it’s not always necessary and it’s rarely the best deal. Don’t forget to refill the tank before returning the car, and make sure to return on time. Some rental car companies will charge an extra day for being late – make sure to know their policy for early and late returns, and call if you get stuck in traffic.

Bring your own car seat and GPS. If you’re going to be traveling with children or fear that you’ll get lost, make sure to bring your own car seat and GPS. No need to pay for the daily fee for these items if you have them at home.

For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

CFBAI Statement: Rudd Center Acknowledges Improvements in Cereals

6/25/2012

Posted on 6/25/2012 by

Arlington, VA – June 22, 2012 – We’re pleased that the Rudd Center has acknowledged the important nutritional improvements that the participants in BBB’s Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) have made in kids’ cereals since 2009. While there is more to be done, as parents know, changing kids’ taste preferences takes time and effort.

Before CFBAI was founded, some cereals had 15 or 16 grams of sugar; now most have no more than 10 grams per serving, and none have more than 12 grams. However, comparing cereals to cookies because of their sugar content, as the Rudd Center does, is silly. Sugar content needs to be evaluated in context, and children’s cereals should be compared to other breakfast options. While cookies can have a place in a healthy diet as a treat eaten in moderation, the consumption of breakfast cereals is linked to healthier body weights and more nutritionally complete diets.

Compared to cookies, the cereals advertised to children have fewer calories and considerably less fat. Unlike cookies, they all contain a rich array of vitamins and minerals and many have at least 8 grams of whole grains. Even compared to other likely breakfast options such as muffins, donuts, and pancakes and waffles served with syrup, these cereals have fewer calories, less sugar, less fat, and less sodium.

The nutritional profile of the five brands the Rudd Center says represent about half the ads kids see are examples of products rich in whole grains and low in nutrients to limit.

Calories: all contain no more 130 calories
Saturated fat: all contain no more than 0.5 grams
Sodium: all contain no more than 180 mg
Sugars: 4 out of 5 have no more than 10 grams per serving (2 have 9 grams), and one has 12 grams
Whole grains: All have 10-14 grams per serving. For 4 out of 5, there are more whole grains than any other ingredient, and they are the first ingredient listed
Vitamin and minerals: All are at least a “good” source (10-19% Daily Value) of many essential nutrients, including Vitamin D, a shortfall in children’s diets

In 2012 many cereals that CFBAI participants advertise to children are even better than they were in 2011, when the Rudd Center conducted its analysis, and more changes are underway. CFBAI’s adoption of new uniform nutrition criteria, which go into effect in December 2013, will lead to further improvements.

NOTE to media: Elaine Kolish is available for media interviews on this topic.

ABOUT BBB: For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 116 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

About the CFBAI. The CFBAI was launched in November 2006 with the goal of shifting the mix of ads to children to include healthier products ─ those with fewer calories, less sodium, sugar and fats, and more nutrient dense. The CFBAI’s participants agree to use science-based nutrition standards to govern their advertising primarily directed to children under 12 (“child-directed advertising”) or not to engage in such advertising. The participants represent the substantial majority of child-directed food advertising on TV. Our focus is on child-directed advertising, not all ads children may see, such as ads on prime time dramas or reality shows, because child-directed ads in children’s programming are designed to be appealing to and persuasive to them. More information about CFBAI is available at www.bbb.org/kids_food.

For more information:
Katherine Hutt, 703-247-9345
khutt@council.bbb.org

Want to See Who's Checking Out Your Facebook Profile? Too Bad. It's a Scam.

6/15/2012

Posted on 6/15/2012 by
Heads up, Facebook users! Facebook never intends to create a way for a user to see who has viewed their profile. If an application claims to do so, do not trust it.

Once you allow access, the app will begin posting on your page telling others to download the app. The app also has the potential to obtain personal information from your profile.

How the Scam Works:

Apps such as "Facebook Profile Viewer" and "Profile Visitor" are sending users messages stating that Facebook has a new update enabling them to see who has viewed their profile. If you click on the given link, you are asked to allow the app to have access to your profile.

Tips to Avoid Falling for this Scam:

Review all of your installed Facebook applications periodically
Always be cautious when allowing applications access to your profile
Remember that Facebook will never enable users to see who has viewed their profile; any application claiming to do so is a scam.

More Information

For Facebook's policy on these scams, see this entry on its Q&A.

For more information about scams in your area, check out BBB's complete scam directory.

Better Business Bureau Applies for .bbb Top Level Domain

6/13/2012

Posted on 6/13/2012 by

Arlington, VA – The Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) has partnered with Corporation Service Company (CSC) to apply for a .bbb top level Internet domain. A new .bbb domain would create an online community of trusted businesses and charities that would be required to adhere to the highest levels of customer service, security, privacy and transparency. The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) today announced the applications it has received.

“For 100 years, BBB has encouraged businesses to foster trust with their customers through integrity and performance,” said Carrie A. Hurt, CEO of CBBB. “Today, the marketplace isn’t just down the street; it’s across the globe, as well. And BBB wants to be there to support trustworthy businesses and give consumers the information they need to identify these businesses. This is the perfect extension of what we have already been doing for a century.”

In its application, CBBB noted that the 116 BBBs across the U.S. and Canada share a mission to be leaders in advancing marketplace trust by:

creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities;
setting standards for marketplace trust;
encouraging and supporting best practices;
celebrating marketplace role models; and
denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.

All of these factors made the TLD application a high priority for BBB during its Centennial year. Due to the unregulated nature of the Internet, fraud and criminal activity have proliferated online in recent years, with social media adding to the already successful scams perpetrated via email and phony websites.

“BBB wants to offer a first line of defense for businesses to protect themselves and for consumers to find trustworthy merchants,” added Hurt. “Only BBB Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities would be eligible to apply for a .bbb domain. We will create a community where trust, standards and accountability are the norm, and where consumers can confidently transact online business with organizations that have been vetted against BBB’s high standards.”

CBBB filed a Community Application with ICANN, which means the applicant represents a segment of society and not a single entity. The BBB system currently consists of 116 independent, local, non-profit BBBs across the U.S. and Canada; 370,000 Accredited Businesses (everything from Fortune 500 companies to “mom and pop” shops and even solo entrepreneurs); and thousands of local and national Accredited Charities. Only those entities would be eligible to apply for a .bbb domain name.

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ABOUT BBB:

For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 116 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

On Disney’s “Magic of Healthy Living” Announcement

6/5/2012

Posted on 6/5/2012 by
Statement by Elaine D. Kolish
Vice President, Council of Better Business Bureaus and
Director, Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative

On Disney’s “Magic of Healthy Living” Announcement:
June 5, 2012

“We congratulate Disney on updating its nutrition standards, which are now closely aligned with CFBAI’s new uniform nutritional criteria. CFBAI and its 16 participants, which represent about 80% of the food advertising on children’s programming, have for the last five years been applying meaningful, science-based nutrition standards to all their advertising on children’s programming, websites and other child-directed media.

“CFBAI participants believe that self regulation is the best approach to improving child-directed food and beverage advertising. We encourage all children’s food and beverage advertisers to participate in being a part of the solution, just as CFBAI participants have. CFBAI provides leadership, transparency and accountability, through monitoring and reporting on compliance and progress.

“Under BBB’s advertising self regulation program, companies have been making steady, ongoing improvements in the products they advertise to children. Our just completed analysis of participants ads from 31 hours of children’s programming showed that the products being advertised by CFBAI participants met reasonable limits on calories, sugars, sodium and fats, and were more nutrient dense than before. We found that 72% of the products advertised, 50% more than in 2010, contain at least a half serving of fruit, vegetables or whole grains, or low/non fat dairy. These results will continue to improve as CFBAI’s new uniform nutrition standards go into effect in December 2013.”

Store Your Belongings with Confidence – Not With Fear of a Scam

6/4/2012

Posted on 6/4/2012 by

Self-storage facilities dot the landscapes of new and older communities. Folks rent units to empty overflowing basements; to stash furnishings while moving or remodeling; or to store business supplies for future use. While most facilities are operated by reputable businesses, Better Business Bureaus recommends checking out the business carefully before handing over your precious belongings.

In 2011, BBB received more than 1,000 complaints against storage units. Many of the complaints filed were from disgruntled consumers who were never able to access their storage units after paying a deposit, had goods damaged in the storage units, and even consumers that had their belongings taken from the storage unit.
Consumers are advised to shop carefully before signing on the dotted line.

BBB recommends understanding 7 major factors before selecting a temporary storage facility.

Cost. Obtain written cost estimates from at least three facilities. Most will insist on inspecting your items before offering an estimate. Costs to consider include the monthly rental fee (usually there are a minimum monthly storage charge and a minimum number of month’s storage); storage preparation, padding, packing or transportation fees; and fees for extra options (electricity, pest control, insurance) you may choose. Ask how the fees are to be paid and by what date.

Size. What size storage units are available? Is there a maximum weight limit for unit contents? Can you jam-pack the entire unit from floor to ceiling?

Climate. Consider the general climate and whether your belongings might be subject to mold or water damage. If so, you may want to consider an environmentally-controlled unit.
Insurance. Make sure your items are insured from theft, fire or other damage. The facility may provide basic insurance or you can choose to purchase insurance from an alternate source. Some homeowners’ policies cover self-storage; check with your insurance agent to be sure you are covered.

Safety. You will need a heavy-duty, secure lock protecting your storage unit. Ask if the facility has surveillance cameras on the property and if a system is in place to restrict access by strangers. Ask for contact information to reach someone at the facility in case of an emergency, both during and after business hours.

Contract. Get everything in writing – the size and location of the unit, options (such as climate-control) that you have selected, termination regulations, insurance coverage, and payment terms. Make sure the facility has several different ways to get in touch with you (home phone, cell phone, email, etc.) in case there is ever a problem with your unit or your payment.

Access. What are the hours and related charges for accessing your unit? Is there adequate room for parking and is the distance from your car/truck to the rental unit acceptable? Does the facility offer dollies or handtrucks to help you move your belongings in and out? Make sure you can easily move your possessions in and out with reasonable ease.

Lastly, pay attention to your monthly bill or credit card statement to
make sure you are up-to-date on your payments. You don’t want your storage unit to be labeled “abandoned” and put up for auction.

For more tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

Use Your Cell Phone Carrier’s Data Limit Protection to Your Advantage

6/4/2012

Posted on 6/4/2012 by

Children and teens can easily go over their cell phone data limit playing games, surfing the Internet, downloading music. When it comes to monitoring your child’s cell phone and data use, there are easy steps parents can take to ensure that their monthly bills don’t come as an unpleasant surprise. Better Business Bureau asked the major cell phone carriers for tips on overseeing family data usage.

In 2011, BBB received 38,420 complaints against cellular telephone services and equipment, making it the number one complaint category in the BBB system. While many of those complaints were due to data billing issues, there are ways to prevent this and the cell phone carriers are willing to work with consumers to monitor and, in some cases, lower their bills.

“By being proactive, and aware of the data activity in which your child engages, you can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on your next cell phone bill,” said Rod Davis, senior vice president of enterprise programs for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “The cell phone industry has put together different data plans and restrictions that parents may want to consider if their child has a persistent problem of going over their data limit.”

BBB has put together a compilation of the major cell phone carriers’ data plans and packages:

For AT&T users, parents should consider Smart Limits of Wireless, an online parental controls tool. Smart Limits for Wireless lets parents set limits on how and when their child can use their phone, including setting a dollar limit for downloadable purchases. As the child approaches the download limits, he or she will receive an advance warning notification. And once a limit is reached, another notice is sent that the service will be stopped until the next billing cycle begins.

For MetroPCS users, parents can use the free "Purchase Blocker" that prevents mobile purchases. MetroPCS also has a special account called MetroConnect. This account allows parents to control purchases by only funding the account with the child's monthly allowance. Once depleted, no more purchases can be made on that phone.

For Sprint users, parents can take advantage of Sprint Mobile Controls. Sprint Mobile Controls allow parents to clearly understand their child’s talk, text and app use habits. Parents can lock their child’s phone on-demand or schedule locks –during dinner, school or late at night.

For U.S. Cellular users, parents can utilize the My Account tool to oversee their child’s data usage. The My Acount tool allows parents to receive text message alerts when their data usage is close to the limit, as well as block data to a specific handset.

For Verizon users, parents can set up and manage Usage Controls through their My Verizon account. Through the My Verizon Usage Controls, customers can keep a tight rein on their accounts’ usage. Families or individuals can control wireless budgets with monthly usage allowances on each controlled line for voice minutes, messaging, data and content purchases such as ringtones, games and downloads. They’ll receive free text message alerts when limits are nearing and when they are reached. Once the allowance is reached, there is also an option to restrict usage.

For more information pertaining to your individual cell phone carrier, BBB recommends contacting them directly to see what data overage protection plans can be applied to your personal account. For more tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

NOTE: T-Mobile did not respond to BBB’s request for information.

BBB Business Tips for Ensuring Your Business’ Insurance

6/4/2012

Posted on 6/4/2012 by
Smart business owners have the proper insurance to protect their company and its assets. But what happens if your insurance company goes under? What does that mean for your business? What are the liabilities? Better Business Bureau offers answers to the following frequently asked questions on what happens to a policy-holder’s coverage if their insurance company goes out of business:

What happens when an insurance company becomes financially troubled, fails and is no longer able to uphold its end of the bargain? That's when the state property and casualty guaranty fund system - a system few know much about - steps in, according to The National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds (NCIGF). Put simply, guaranty funds provide an essential safety net for policyholders, one that meets the needs of those least able to deal with losses should their insurance company fail.

Will I still have insurance coverage? Insurance guaranty associations have been established in every state and are designed to protect policy-holders if their insurance company becomes insolvent. An insurance company must be a member of the guaranty association for every state in which it does business. If a company becomes insolvent, the insurance guaranty association ensures continuation of coverage, either by taking on policies directly or by transferring the policies to a financially stable insurer.

What about any claims? The laws vary from state to state. However, most life and health guaranty associations provide coverage at limits of at least $300,000 for life insurance death benefits, $100,000 for life insurance cash surrender values, $100,000 for annuity withdrawal or payment values, and $100,000 for health insurance benefits, according to NCIGF.

Most property/casualty guaranty associations provide coverage on a per-claim basis for personal injury and property damages up to $300,000 and provide full benefit coverage for workers’ compensation benefits.

Where does that money come from to cover claims? If an insurance company goes bankrupt, any amount of coverage that cannot be attained from the company’s liquidation is borne by other insurers in the state according to the amount in premiums those insurers earn from that state.

How can I be sure my insurance company is safe? There’s no way to be absolutely sure that an insurance company is healthy. To help business owners evaluate their insurer, there are several businesses that rate insurance companies on their financial strength and creditworthiness, including Moody's, Standard and Poor's and A.M. Best. Business owners can also confirm with their state insurance department that the company is licensed to do business in the state.

For more BBB advice on insurance or other financial planning issues, visit www.bbb.org.

Is There Science Behind Scams?

6/4/2012

Posted on 6/4/2012 by
Investment scams are getting more sophisticated and scammers are quite talented at deceiving people, resulting in more victims.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to recognize investment scams,” said Carrie Hurt, CEO for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Scammers are using real-life situations, faking the websites of legitimate businesses, and sharpening their skills to outwit even savvy investors. Scam artists are experienced at the art of persuasion, and know which questions to ask to make you most susceptible to their pitch.”

Ever wonder how scammers do what they do? FINRA Investor Education Foundation provides some interesting theories on the science behind scams. Here are some of the most common tactics:

The "Phantom Riches" Tactic — dangling the prospect of wealth, enticing you with something you want but can't have. "These gas wells are guaranteed to produce $6,800 a month in income."

The "Source Credibility" Tactic — trying to build credibility by claiming to be with a reputable firm or to have a special credential or experience. "Believe me, as a senior vice president of XYZ Firm, I would never sell an investment that doesn't produce."

The "Social Consensus" Tactic — leading you to believe that other savvy investors have already invested. "This is how ___ got his start. I know it's a lot of money, but I'm in—and so is my mom and half her church—and it's worth every dime."

The "Reciprocity" Tactic — offering to do a small favor for you in return for a big favor. "I'll give you a break on my commission if you buy now—half off."

The "Scarcity" Tactic — creating a false sense of urgency by claiming limited supply. "There are only two units left, so I'd sign today if I were you."

Never rush when making any purchasing decision, and don’t be afraid to say no and walk away. For more tips on smart buying, donating and investing, go to www.bbb.org. Also, visit www.saveandinvest.org, to view the full article.

Scammers Fake Facebook Account Cancellation Notices

5/25/2012

Posted on 5/25/2012 by

Facebook users, watch out. A clever scam in the form of a fake account cancellation email is making the rounds, and it's easy to get fooled. Don't let the threat of losing your account trick you into installing malware on your computer.

How the Scam Works:

The scam starts with a suspicious email informing Facebook users that they have a received an "account cancellation request," reports computer security blog Naked Security. (See sample email below) Recipients are urged to follow a link to cancel the request.

Here's the clever part. The link appears to be official because it goes to a facebook.com address. Really, it links to a third-party application just running on the Facebook platform.

If you do click on the link, a message asks you to allow an unknown application to run on your computer. Click the "run" button, and you will see a message telling you to download the new version of Adobe Flash. The file that downloads is not the latest version of Flash, but code allowing hackers to spy on your activities and take control of your computer.

For More Information

For more information and screen shots of the scam, see Naked Security's original article.

To receive alerts like these sent straight to your inbox, sign up for BBB Scam Alerts here.

BBB Tips for Successful Mother’s Day Shopping

5/10/2012

Posted on 5/10/2012 by

BBB Tips for Successful Mother’s Day Shopping

It’salmost Mother’s Day! Whether you are ordering flowers, shopping for customjewelry, or arranging for a special spa day appointments for the wonderfulwomen in their life, be a smart consumer. BBB sees lots of scams that focus onholiday shopping, and is warning consumers to proceed with caution beforefalling victim to a Mother’s Day vender scam, especially when shoppingonline.

BBBurges consumers to take extra precaution with placing floral orders, especiallyonline. “Not all online florists are the same,” says Rosemary Nye, spokespersonfor the local Better Business Bureau. “While some people are extremely happywith their online floral purchases, others find themselves disappointed whenthe flowers don’t arrive on time, or don’t arrive at all.” In 2011, more than96,000 consumers searched for trustworthy florists on www.bbb.org. Most major floral delivery services are BBB Accredited Businesses,as are more than 500 local florists across the U.S. and Canada.

Whenfinalizing gifts and shopping online, BBB recommends adhering to the following:

Do your homework. Before ordering flowers, jewelry or any othergifts for Mother’s Day, check out the company’s BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org. This is a great wayto help prevent disappointment with the product or customer service.

Allow time for shipping and delivery. Check with theretailer or website to be certain that you have allowed enough time fordelivery. Make sure that this date is specified clearly and guaranteed when youorder. If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges will be less thanlast-minute or overnight shipping. Some florists offer discounts for deliveriesa couple of days before a major holiday, since that helps them deal with therush.

Have a back-up plan. Make sure you understand the store's guarantee.Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have ifthe arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card whenordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t comethrough. Charges made on a debit card are the same as cash and you have norecourse through your bank if there is a problem.

Make sure the business has your information. When it comes to flower delivery, there are timeswhen delivery instructions need to be confirmed or a delivery driver needs additionaldirections. Making sure the florist has a call-back phone number or your cellphone to help them make sure your mom gets what you expect.

Formore tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

New Phishing Scam Hurts Small Businesses

5/3/2012

Posted on 5/3/2012 by

When a small plumbing company in Monroe, Louisiana, got an email yesterday from BBB saying they’d had a complaint filed against them, they took it seriously. After all, the company is a BBB Accredited Business and the owner serves on the board of directors of BBB of Northeast Louisiana. What they got, however, was much worse than a complaint from an unhappy customer. The email was a fake, a phishing scam that downloaded viruses on two of the small business’s computers, which had to be wiped clean in order to get rid of the malware infection. Fortunately for the plumbing company, the virus hadn’t had a chance to steal any banking information.

Unfortunately, small businesses and consumers across the country are falling victim to the latest phishing scam that exploits BBB’s trusted name. The campaign that started yesterday was the second biggest phishing scam in the country on Wednesday, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spam Data Mine, one of the nation’s foremost computer forensics labs. SDM is assisting the Council of Better Business Bureaus in tracking phishing scams that use the BBB name.

The phishing emails – the fifth wave since Thanksgiving that uses the BBB’s name – uses BBB’s name and logo in an attempt to look like a notice of a newly filed complaint. The latest round includes a ZIP attachment, but that has not always been the case. Whether by an attachment or a link, the phishing emails attempt to trick the recipient into clicking and opening the “complaint,” which downloads malware onto their computer. The malware is designed to infect the computer and look for information such as bank account numbers and passwords in order to steal money from the recipients’ accounts.

If you receive an email that looks like it is about a BBB complaint:

Do NOT click on any links or attachments.
Read the email carefully for signs that it may be fake (for example, misspellings, grammar, generic greetings such as “Dear member” instead of a name, etc.).
Be wary of any urgent instructions to take specified action such as “Click on the link or your account will be closed.”
Hover your mouse over links without clicking to see if the address is truly from bbb.org.
Delete the email from your computer completely (be sure to empty your “trash can” or “recycling bin,” as well).
Run anti-virus software updates frequently and do a full system scan.
If you are not certain whether the complaint is legitimate, contact your local BBB (www.bbb.org/find).
Forward the email to phishing@council.bbb.org so that our security team can track the perpetrators. If you receive a “bounce” message, there is no need to resubmit.

BBB also recommends that all businesses take steps to secure their data and the information they’ve collected on their customers. BBB’s “Data Security – Made Simpler” is available free-of-charge at www.bbb.org/data-security.

Hawaii's BBB Announces 2012 Torch Award Recipients

5/3/2012

Posted on 5/3/2012 by

2012 BBB TORCHAWARDS HONORS BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRUSTWORTHY PRACTICES
**Jackie Choy and Theresa Kong Kee Recognized for their Local ConsumerAdvocacy Efforts**

HONOLULU (May 3, 2012) – Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) has announced the recipients of the 2012 BBB Torch Awards before a large crowd of business, civic and nonprofit leaders. Alaka’i Mechanical, Hawaii Human Resources (HiHR), Schweitzer Consulting LLC, and the Institute of Human Services (IHS) were named winners by this year’s judges. Jackie Choy and Theresa Kong Kee were also honored for their commitment towards consumer advocacy.

“Businesses who are doing right by their consumers, employees, vendors and, in the case of public charities, donors, need to be honored and celebrated; the BBB Torch Awards allows us to Illuminate the importance of corporate conscience and responsibility in fulfilling an organizations obligation to themarketplace” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s BBB. “Trustworthy and ethical business practices are a win-win for everyone. This year’s BBB Torch Awards finalists and recipients demonstrate that upholding the BBB’s ethical standards is a hallmark of successful companies and organizations.”

2012 BBB Torch Award recipients in each category are;

Public Charity – Institute of Human Services (IHS).
The organization was cited for its clear understanding of its mission and integration into the community. The judges were impressed with their implementation of meaningful, systemic solutions to homelessness and that they actively align with others in the community to advocate for improved polices and services that help local individuals and families.

Other finalists included Hospice Hawaii and People Attentive to Children.

Small Business – Schweitzer Consulting, LLC

Schweitzer Consulting was honored for their loyalty and ability to not only help their clients achieve their unique and individual needs but help them face adversity and get through it in a fair, honest and ethical manner. The Judges were impressed by the commitment to their business philosophy and community involvement.

Other finalists in the Small Business category were Hi Employment and Renewable Energy Technologies, LLC.

Medium Business – Hawaii Human Resources (HIHR)

HiHR impressed the judges with their commitment to making other organizations successful. The lengths they go through to be fair and honest with not onlytheir clients, but their staff speaks volumes for their corporate culture.

Kahala Associates, PacRim Marketing Group Inc. and RevoluSun were the other category finalists.

Large Business – Alaka’i Mechanical Corporation
The judges applauded Alaka’i Mechanical’s commitment to instill company values in employees at all levels, which helps foster trust with all they serve. Assessments from their clients and other third parties of its ethical standards and performance speak volumes about their organizations values.

Other finalists in the Large Business category were Farmers Insurance and the NewYork Life Insurance Company.

Jackie Choy and Theresa Kong Kee of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs received the BBB Ka Mea o Kako‘o award. The award honors individuals who have significantly advanced marketplace trust by their demonstrated commitment to consumer advocacy, protection or education.

Both Jackie and Theresa were recognized for their community work and their unwavering commitment to help consumers of all ages throughout the state. Their efforts to create and participate in a wide variety of educational programs and events have helped hundreds of thousands become more informed consumers over the years.

Top Tips to Get Your Finances in Order

4/11/2012

Posted on 4/11/2012 by

The FINRA National Financial Capability Study recently looked at the spending and saving habits of Americans and came up with some startling information:

Most Americans lack emergency savings or “rainy day” funds. Only 49 percent of survey respondents reported that they had set aside funds sufficient to cover expenses for three months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn or other emergency.

The majority of Americans have not done any retirement planning. Only 42 percent of the FINRA survey respondents who weren’t retired said they had taken the time to calculate what they would need.

Well below half of Americans have saved money for college. Only 41 percent of those who have financially dependent children have set money aside for college education.

It’s National Financial Literacy Month, so it’s a good time to reassess your savings and spending patterns to build a brighter future for yourself and your family. BBB recommends the following:

Start calculating now. You are never too young to start planning for retirement. While individuals increasingly have to take responsibility for their financial security after retirement, the majority of Americans appear not to have done any retirement planning. Decisions about how much to save in order to afford a comfortable retirement require collecting information about several important variables (including Social Security and retirement plan benefits) and doing some, even rudimentary, calculations.

Budget appropriately when it comes time to pay for a child’s education. It is widely reported that, over the past decade, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities have increased more rapidly than they did during the 1980s or 1990s, rising by an average of nearly 5 percent each year (adjusted for inflation). With this trend unlikely to abate, an average American family with children can expect to dedicate a sizable share of their resources to paying college tuition.

Manage your debt. One of the best ways to ensure a brighter financial future is to manage and eliminate costly debt. BBB offers “Managing Credit – Made Simpler,” an online learning tool for consumers and small business owners.

Avoid “get rich quick” schemes. BBB exposes scams and frauds every day. Sadly, many of these are aimed at investors who have done the right thing so far and saved some money, but make a mistake when it comes to investing. BBB recently partnered with the FINRA Financial Education Foundation to promote smart investing and to help consumers avoid investment scams.

For more information on businesses, charities and investments you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.

BBB Warns Consumers and Businesses About Phishing Scam

4/3/2012

Posted on 4/3/2012 by
Arlington, VA – April 3, 2012 – The Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) issued the following statement today:

“For the past 4+ months, BBB has been the victim of a massive phishing scam that uses our name and logo to fool people into thinking the email is from BBB concerning a complaint against their business. Although they appear to be coming from a BBB computer, they are not.

The emails appear to have been totally random in who they are sent to. They have gone to businesses, but they have also gone to individuals who have never owned a business, as well as to educational, nonprofit and government addresses. There is no indication that BBB Accredited Businesses are being targeted.

The emails appear to be part of a criminal campaign that has spoofed other trusted identities, including Bank of America, Intuit (maker of Turbo-Tax) and the Internal Revenue Service. The FBI has made this a priority and CBBB is working closely with their cyber crime division and other law enforcement agencies to shut down the scammers.

The spammers’ goal is to get as many email recipients as possible to click on the link within the email which redirects to a website infected with malware. If you clicked on the link within these emails, your computer is likely to be infected. The criminals then use that malware to transfer money out of bank accounts or obtain additional email addresses.

BBB is directing many resources to combat this attack. We have hired security specialists to track the fraudulent emails and shut down the websites hosting the malware. We have been working with forensic criminal experts to make sure no malware has infiltrated BBB’s computers or those of our vendors.

In the past week, many recipients have gotten multiple copies – sometimes dozens or even hundreds – of the same email. This may be due to some unsophisticated “copycat” spammers who don’t even know or care that they are sending multiples of the same email.

The two things people can do right now to prevent being victimized by this scam or other phishing scams:

Install good anti-virus software on your computer(s) and get regular updates of virus definitions several times a day.
Never click on links in emails that have come to you unsolicited.

If you have clicked on a link in one of these emails, run a complete system scan of your computer or network, and make sure your anti-virus software includes elimination of the Zeus or Z-bot virus.”

--

ABOUT BBB: For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reviews on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 116 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

Hawaii's Better Business Bureau Announces 2012 Torch Awards Finalists!

3/30/2012

Posted on 3/30/2012 by

HAWAII’S BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ANNOUNCES 2012 BBB TORCH AWARDS FINALISTS

HONOLULU(March 30, 2012) – Hawaii’s BBB, the leader in advancing marketplace trust, has announced the finalists of its 2012 BBB Torch Awards program. Finalists were selected in the Small Business, Medium-size Business, Large Business and Public Charity categories.

A panel of judges comprised of past recipients evaluated the applicants for evidence of ethical standards of behavior, a steadfast reputation over time, policies to ensure ethics and truth were demonstrated in their sales advertising and how management practices promote integrity in the workplace.

TorchAward recipients will reveal exceedingly high standards of behavior toward customers, employees and share holders; adhere to truthful advertising and sales practices; and, have a reputation for noteworthy contributions in their industry and community.

The 2012 BBB Torch Awards finalists are:

Small Business Category: HiEmployment, Schweitzer Consulting and Renewable Energy Technologies.
Medium-Sized Business Category:Hawaii Human Resources, Inc.(HIHR), Kahala Associates, PacRim Marketing , and RevoluSun
Large Business Category:Alaka'i Mechanical Corporation, Farmers Insurance and New York Life Insurance Company
Public Charity Category:Hospice Hawaii, Institute of Human Services and People Attentive to Children.

Winners will be announced at the 2012 BBB Torch Awards Luncheon on Wednesday,May, 2^nd at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Individual tickets are $100 for BBB Accredited Businesses and nonprofit organizations, and $130 for all others. Corporate table sponsorships are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information about the BBB Torch Awards, call Hawaii’s BBB at 628-3901, from the Neighbor Islands call toll free at 1-877-222-6551, or visit www.hawaii.bbb.org

BBB Social Media Seminar

3/16/2012

Posted on 3/16/2012 by

If you still think social media is just a fad you have not had enough coffee this morning!

640 million Facebook users

95 million tweets per day

5 billion Flickr Images

4 billion YouTube videos viewed daily

Join us and learn about personal and business branding, online marketing and general practices.

The Do's and Don'ts and case studies to back it up!

Join us on May 2, 2012

Sheraton Waikiki

8:00 a.m. - 11:30a.m.

Speakers

Douglas Wood of Reed Smith

Emi Hart, Community Director of Yelp

Olena Heu of KHON2

Elmer Guzman, Owner of Poke Stop

Seminar Only

BBB Accredited - $35

All others - $45

Call 808.628.3901 to purchase your seat

Email us if you have any questions.

Kony 2012 Video Sends Mixed Message to Young Activists

3/13/2012

Posted on 3/13/2012 by

Arlington, VA – The BBB Wise Giving Alliance has tried for six years to get Invisible Children to cooperate in a charity review. Since 2006, BBB has sent 18 letters (12 via Certified Mail) to the non-profit behind the Internet phenomenon Kony 2012 video, but has received no response.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance initiates charity reviews based on donor requests. Unlike other charity review organizations, it does not rely solely on public documents but requires charities to provide more in-depth information in order to evaluate its governance, effectiveness, finances, fund raising, donor privacy and other matters.

The BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, which were developed with extensive input from the charitable community and donors, are used by the Alliance in preparing evaluative reports on over 1,300 nationally soliciting charities, and by local BBBs for more than 10,000 local charities. There is no charge to the charity for the accountability assessment and the resulting reports are available to the public free on the www.bbb.org/charity website.

Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 video features criticisms of Joseph Kony, who heads an army of child soldiers in central Africa and has been accused of various atrocities against villagers in that region.

“I don’t understand their reluctance to provide basic information,” says H. Art Taylor, President and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. “The whole point of the effort is to shine the light of truth on a terrible atrocity, and yet they seem to be reluctant to turn that light on themselves. It’s really unfortunate, because their campaign has the potential to inspire and galvanize millions of young activists and future philanthropists.”

“We don’t assume that nondisclosure is proof of bad faith,” continued Taylor, “but the vast majority of national charities we contact (70%) demonstrate their commitment to transparency by providing the Alliance with requested information so that we can produce reports for public inquirers.” The 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability offer the most rigorous evaluation of nonprofit organizations available.

The website of Invisible Children includes a statement about its lack of cooperation with BBB requests for information noting that “Participation in BBB’s program is voluntary - we [Invisible Children] are choosing to wait until we have expanded our Board of Directors, as some questions hinge on the size of our board….”

Despite Invisible Children’s statement on its website, the six-member board size would not be a problem with the BBB charity standards, says Taylor. He did express concern, however, that two of the six board members are paid staff. One of the BBB charity standards calls for no more than 10% of the voting membership of the board to be compensated.

“For any charity, too many paid staff members serving on the governing board can result in a variety of potential problems,” Taylor explains, “including, but not limited to, a lack of objective board decisions being made about the charity’s budget, staff oversight, the selection of charity programs and how best to raise funds.”

“There may or may not be other potential areas of concern with the 20 BBB charity standards,” he added, “but without the requested information from Invisible Children we are unable to determine this. We welcome Invisible Children to provide information at any time so that we can amend our nondisclosure report and conduct a full review in relation to our standards.”

HELPFUL LINKS:

ABOUT BBB:

For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. BBB has Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reviews on 11,000 charities, all available for free. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 116 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Council of Better Business Bureaus, helps donors make informed giving decisions and advances high standards of conduct among charitable organizations. The Alliance produces in-depth evaluative reports on national charities based on comprehensive Standards for Charity Accountability that address charity governance, finances, effectiveness, and fund raising. In addition, about one-half of the BBBs in the United States report on regionally soliciting charities.

Complaints Down, But Huge Jump in Inquiries Means Shoppers Are Doing Their Homework

3/1/2012

Posted on 3/1/2012 by

Arlington, VA – Consumer savvy, smart shopping and common sense all had a great year, according to Better Business Bureau. Consumers asked BBB for help more than 103 million times in 2011, up from 87 million in 2010 and the highest rate in the organization’s 100-year history. Conversely, filings of formal complaints against businesses were down across the U.S. and Canada; 927,000 in 2011 compared to just over one million in 2010.

“That is terrific news, that’s what we want to see,” said Carrie A. Hurt, CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), the umbrella organization for the 116 BBBs across North America. “When consumers come to us first for information about businesses, they are much less likely to need our dispute resolution services later.”

BBB maintains Business Reviews on more than 4 million businesses and grades them based on complaint histories, responsiveness to customers, licensing, legal and government action, and other factors. 400,000 are Accredited Businesses that meet the BBB Code of Business Practices and are permitted to display the BBB logo in their advertising and place of business.

Industry	2011 Total Inquiries	Rank by number of Inquiries¹	Percentage Change over 2010
Roofing Contractors	3,343,214	1	38.8%
Contractors – General	2,232,022	2	71.4%
Auto Dealers – Used Cars	1,606,226	3	40.6%
Auto Repair & Service	1,581,440	4	63.8%
Plumbers	1,524,559	5	49.9%
Auto Dealers – New Cars	1,517,950	6	26%
Mortgage Brokers	1,471,565	7	14.5%
Construction & Remodeling Services	1,293,423	8	36.4%
Heating & Air Conditioning	1,227,787	9	19.4%
Movers	1,205,158	10	3.3%

^{1 Inquiry rank is out of 4,790 industry categories}

These numbers were not surprising. “These are mostly big-ticket items,” noted Hurt. “People tend to do more research when they are spending a lot of money, such as on homes and cars. We get most of our inquiries on our website, www.bbb.org, which gets more than six million visitors a month.”

Complaints are formal procedures that consumers file against a particular business when they have a problem they cannot resolve on their own. Every complaint is examined by an investigator at the local BBB where the business is located, and the company is given 30 days to respond. About 95% of complaints to BBBs are resolved at this level; the rest go to mediation or arbitration. BBB has trained mediators and arbitrators in every state and province in North America.

Industry	2011 Total Complaints	Rank by number of Complaints¹	Percentage Change over 2010	Percentage of Resolved Complaints ²
Cellular Telephone Service & Equipment	38,420	1	40.8%	96.1%
Auto Dealers – New Cars	25,983	2	5.2%	87.8%
Television – Cable, CATV & Satellite	25,518	3	-17.6%	97.8%
Collection Agencies	18,090	4	13.9%	83.1%
Auto Dealers – Used Cars	16,264	5	12%	72.9%
Banks	15,989	6	-29.4%	97.5%
Telephone Companies	15,691	7	65.2%	96.3%
Furniture – Retail	14,521	8	11.5%	75.3%
Auto Repair & Service	14,490	9	10%	66.7%
Internet Shopping	12,877	10	-.6%	71.9%

^{1 Complaint rank is out of 4,790 industry categories
2 Average resolution rate across all industries for 2011 was 76.3 percent}

Again, not too surprising, as these are goods and services almost all of us use,” said Hurt. “So even though the volume of complaints is high, the actual rate of complaints is relatively low. And companies in these industries also tend to resolve complaints at a higher rate, as well.”

Some industries saw big improvements over the past year. Complaints about health and medical products fell 61%, vitamins and food supplements fell 49%, satellite equipment and supplies fell 46%, vacation certificates and vouchers fell 45%, complaints about small business loans were down 38%, extended warranty contract service companies down 38%, buying clubs down 35%, loans were down 35%, complaints about mortgage brokers fell 31%, and banks fell 30%.*

There were quite a few industries with big increases in complaints, but one industry stood out more than any other: payday loan companies had 159% more complaints than in 2010. Other industries with an increase in complaints: book publishers rose 72%; cellular telephone equipment/supplies up 64%, and telephone companies up 64%; electronic equipment repair and service rose 54%; florists complaints rose 52%; travel clubs were up 48%; general merchandise retail increased 46%; insurance services rose 43%; and skin care rose 41%.*
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BBB Page 3

* The most improved/declined industries were those with the highest percentage changes in complaints from 2010 to 2011 for those industries with at least 1,000 complaints in 2011. All of those noted are in the top 200 industry categories that BBB tracks.

For the complete complaint and inquiry statistics for US and Canada, please visit our complaint page.

ABOUT BBB: For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. BBB has Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reviews on 11,000 charities, all available for free. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 116 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

BBB Mobile Giving Foundation is Partnership of Two Leaders

2/24/2012

Posted on 2/24/2012 by

February 21, 2012 (Arlington, VA) – Mobile giving is quickly becoming a critical tool for charities to raise much-needed funds, especially when disaster strikes. In order to give donors the most trustworthy and safe option for quick “text to give” donations, the Mobile Giving Foundation has joined forces with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to create the BBB Mobile Giving Foundation, a co-branded effort to grow the mobile giving channel, strengthen mobile giving industry standards and accountability, assure donor confidence, and reinforce nonprofit acceptance of the mobile giving medium.

“For 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has led the way for businesses to create and maintain the most trustworthy relationships with the public,” said Carrie A. Hurt, CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “This partnership extends that mission to one of the most exciting and forward-thinking advances in technology, which is providing a critical new means for donors to safely and securely support the important work of charities.”

“The BBB Wise Giving Alliance has the highest accountability standards of any charity review organization,” notes MGF founder Jim Manis. “We chose to partner with them in order to assure donors that their mobile giving donations were going to highly accountable charities that have been thoroughly evaluated against those rigorous standards.”

“The Mobile Giving Foundation pioneered the concept of mobile giving,” said Art Taylor, President of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, “and has consistently been the industry leader in both technology and in understanding the vital importance of donor security and privacy. This partnership will strengthen both organizations, which is a win for donors and a win for charities.”

Mobile giving has also proven to be an entryway to philanthropy for younger consumers, with many making their first charitable donation via their cell phone following one of the recent disasters. The partnership will help engage budding young philanthropists while offering charities a safe and reliable platform to assist in their fundraising efforts.

Most cellular carriers participate in MGF and welcomed the news. “We’re pleased to see the creation of this alliance,” said Marquett Smith, vice president of corporate communications for Verizon Wireless. “It provides consumers additional information as they make giving decisions.” Verizon Wireless was one of the original companies to join with MGF in providing mobile giving options to consumers. Other companies currently offering the service are AT&T Mobility, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, US Cellular, Cricket Communications, Cincinnati Bell and C Spire. All make the service available at no charge to donors or charities.

The partnership is good news to the charity community, as well. "With dynamic enhancements in technology providing more and easier charitable giving options than ever before, donors need to know they can give with confidence," says John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, the nation's largest voluntary health charity. "As a charity that utilizes the Mobile Giving Foundation and meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance standards, we applaud this step forward. It only makes sense that both organizations should collaborate to create a more trusted and safe mobile giving environment."

The partnership takes effect immediately. Over the next 18-24 months, the Alliance staff will work closely with MGF to evaluate its clients and to help those that are not yet in compliance with the Alliance’s twenty standards. National charities will be evaluated by the Alliance and local charities will be evaluated by one of the 106 local BBBs across the United States.

New charities will also be able to participate in the BBB Mobile Giving Alliance by following the acceptance procedures for both organizations. In addition, charities currently meeting all Alliance standards will be eligible for the MGF platform immediately.

For more information or to schedule an interview with one of the principals, please contact Katherine Hutt, Council of Better Business Bureaus, at 703-247-9345 or khutt@council.bbb.org or Daniel Rhodes/Valerie Christopherson at Global Results Communications (for MGF) at 949-306-6313 or mgfpr@globalresultspr.com.

BBB Welcomes White House Recognition of Self-Regulation in Protecting Consumer Online Privacy

2/24/2012

Posted on 2/24/2012 by

Arlington, VA – At today’s White House meeting to launch its new Privacy Initiative, the Obama Administration recognized the importance of accountable industry self-regulation in providing consumers with essential privacy protections. The Council of Better Business Bureaus’ (CBBB) Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program has been at the center of industry self-regulatory efforts to enforce provision of transparency and consumer choice.

C. Lee Peeler, President and CEO of the National Advertising Review Council and CBBB Executive Vice President, and Genie Barton, CBBB Vice President and Director of the Accountability Program, joined other privacy leaders at today’s invitation-only White House event. Barton welcomed the Administration’s recognition of the importance of accountability programs in the self-regulatory process. “The objective oversight provided by the BBB Accountability Program is critical to success. This partnership between the online advertising industry and BBB, working closely with the Federal Trade Commission, is a great example of how industry self-regulation can and should work.”

In his remarks at the White House event, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz commended BBB and the industry leaders who created the Accountability Program. “Today we are proud to report that a powerful group of leaders has come together to respond to our call…the online advertising industry has been working to develop an icon that consumers could click to opt out of receiving targeted ads. Today, although it is still a work in progress, the ad industry has obtained buy-in from companies that deliver 90 percent of online behavioral advertisements; and, with the Better Business Bureau, it has established a mechanism with teeth to address non-compliance, backed up with FTC enforcement.”

The BBB Accountability Program enforces industry consensus principles that provide consumers with greater transparency and control over the use of their browsing history across websites for targeted advertising and other purposes. Any business or organization that collects data on a non-affiliated website (such as ad networks, data aggregators, website publishers and advertisers) is subject to the Accountability Program’s oversight.

To ensure compliance, the Accountability Program monitors industry’s online practices and launches inquiries when it appears that a company may not be complying with the industry consensus standards, then works to bring the company into compliance. It publishes all its decisions to ensure transparency and accountability. In cases of non-compliance or non-participation, the program refers the company to the FTC.

The BBB Accountability Program has been invited to participate in the multi-stakeholder working group, convened by the Department of Commerce to implement the White House “Privacy Bill of Rights.” The first call will take place today.

More information on the Accountability Program is available at:
www.bbb.org/us/interest-based-advertising/ and www.aboutads.info.

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New Scam Uses BBB.org Email Address

2/17/2012

Posted on 2/17/2012 by
Consumers nationwide are reporting a new round of phishing email scams using the BBB name and email address, this time targeted at accountants.

This latest scam uses a BBB.org email address in conjunction with the American Institute of CPAs logo and name. The message informs recipients that their CPA license is being terminated due to tax fraud allegations and encourages them to click on a link and reply to the charges. The link leads to a third party website that downloads a virus on to the recipient’s computer.

This email scam primarily targets accountants, but BBB has gotten reports of other professionals receiving the emails. The image below is a sample email.

Steps to take:

Do not reply or click on the link in the email
Forward fake BBB emails to phishing@council.bbb.org
Delete the email

This is the latest iteration in a recent outbreak of scams using the BBB name. For more information about other versions of the scam, please see the following articles:

Don’t Let an “Authorization Hold” Hold You Hostage

2/3/2012

Posted on 2/3/2012 by
Arlington, VA – Credit is a convenience; it allows you to charge a meal on your credit card, pay for an appliance with an installment plan, or take out a loan to buy a house. With credit you can make a purchase when you lack ready cash, and you can enjoy the purchase while you are paying for it.

However, when dining out at a fancy restaurant or spending the night away in a hotel, it’s important to take notice of what the banking industry calls an “authorization hold.”

The issue was first identified by BBB of Southern Arizona when a customer complained that a restaurant had put through a charge equal to his bill plus 20%, even though he had left the server’s tip in cash. Upon investigation, Dispute Resolution Specialist Micaela Clubb discovered that it’s a common practice.

How Authorization Holds Work

Here’s how it works: Let’s say your restaurant bill comes to $100 and you give the server your credit card. When they run it through, they put an authorization hold on your account for $120, assuming you’re going to add a nice tip to the bill. But you leave the tip in cash on the table instead. Still, your bank or credit card company “holds” that $120 for a couple of days until the actual amount of your charge is processed…and that means you don’t have access to that $20. If you are close to your credit limit, it could mean a purchase is declined. If you used a debit card, it could mean a bounced check and overdrafts fees.

Now imagine it’s a hotel stay. You’ve checked in and given a credit card at the front desk. They put an authorization hold on your card for what they think your total bill will be (room charge, taxes, incidentals). If you are staying for several nights, this could amount to a lot of money that you no longer have access to; and when you are traveling, that can be a huge problem.

What You Can Do

Credit card processors discourage vendors from doing these kinds of holds, but they are perfectly legitimate as long as the vendor notifies customers of the practice. BBB advises consumers to keep tabs on their credit and bank accounts online, especially when traveling, and read the fine print on hotel agreements. When dining, pay for your check and tip together with either credit or cash, but not both. And whenever possible, keep a “cushion” of available funds on credit cards by paying off the balance regularly.

For more consumer information you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/news.

Protecting Data – Does Your Business Know What to Do?

2/3/2012

Posted on 2/3/2012 by

In times of escalating privacy and data breaches, customers expect every business — large or small — that collects their sensitive personal information will protect it. Better Business Bureau advises business owners to proactively address customer anxiety and takes steps to both prevent and prepare for a security breach. BBB has endorsed the Online Trust Alliance’s Data Protection and Breach Readiness Guide, recently updated for 2012

Last year, more than 125 million people were affected by data loss incidents. Increased awareness of these high visibility incidents, as well as aggressive data collection and sharing practices, have eroded consumers’ trust and online confidence, according to OTA.

“The Internet has become the land of opportunity for scams and, unfortunately, we see thousands of them every year,” notes Genie Barton, Vice President of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and director of its Online Behavioral Advertising Program. “Consumers need assurances that they can trust the companies they do business with to secure their data, and the OTA Data Protection and Breach Readiness Guide is a great tool to help businesses protect themselves and their customers.”

In the wake of a security breach, it’s important to take action quickly. Small and large businesses alike need to be able to readily determine the nature and scope of the data incident, and take all appropriate steps to contain and stop the attack.

BBB recommends the 2012 guide and encourages all businesses to use its suggestions to help build a safer Internet for all.

The 2012 Data Protection and Breach Readiness Guide reflects input from a wide range of stakeholders, including interviews with companies that have experienced breach and data loss incidents, and industry and breach analysis experts.

For more data security advice you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/data-security, and for a complete OTA guide, visit https://otalliance.org/breach.html.

Scammers Pick Up the Phone in New Twist on BBB Phishing Scam

1/26/2012

Posted on 1/26/2012 by

Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new twist in the ongoing BBB phishing scam. Consumers now are reporting receiving phone calls – in addition to emails – from scammers claiming to be from BBB.

In the scam, callers offer help removing a virus from the recipient’s computer. They claim the computer was infected when the owner downloaded a virus from an email scam using the BBB name. Consumers reported scammers calling from 858-102-3252.

BBB is cautioning consumers not to give out any personal information to callers or to install or download any software they recommend.

Since late November, many consumers and business owners nationwide have received phishing emails appearing to be from a BBB.org email address. These emails inform the recipient of a non-existent BBB complaint against their business and encourage them to respond. In a newer take on the scam, emails urge the recipient to update their information with BBB by completing an online form. All emails either contain an attachment or a link to a third-party website, both of which download a virus on to the recipient’s computer.

Should you receive a suspicious email, don't click on any links. You can test the links by using your mouse to hover over them. The destination of the links will appear in a small pop-up box next to the link or at the bottom of the screen. See the screenshot below for an example. If the email is a scam, the website shown will not be a BBB.org URL.

Look Out for Super Bowl Scams

1/26/2012

Posted on 1/26/2012 by

Arlington, VA – With the Super Bowl just around the corner, Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the alert for knock-off team jerseys, counterfeit memorabilia and phony game tickets.

“There are three good reasons not to buy counterfeit goods: theft, quality and security,” notes Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Counterfeit items are stolen goods. If you love your team, don’t buy a hat or jersey from someone who has stolen the team’s name and logo for their own profit. And counterfeit items are almost always more cheaply made, which means they won’t last as long as the real thing.”

But you may have an even bigger problem if you try to buy counterfeit memorabilia online. Several BBBs around the country have reported websites that don’t even have any merchandise to sell you…they just want your credit card number and personal information in order to steal your identity or drain your bank account. The best way to ensure you are getting official sports gear is to buy directly from the team or league websites, or from official vendors at the stadium.

Beware of Ticket Scams

Tickets for the big game can be an even bigger rip-off. There are thousands of Super Bowl tickets currently listed on Craig’s List, but the site offers no guarantees of any kind and does not require identification of its listers. Buying in person isn’t always an improvement, as it’s gotten easier and easier for scammers to make fake tickets that look real.

So where can you turn? Sites such as Stub Hub (www.stubhub.com) guarantee your tickets’ authenticity. There were 2,800 tickets available as of yesterday, starting at $2,450 a piece. Ticketmaster (www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com) handles ticket exchanges for the NFL, and had over 800 tickets available as of yesterday, starting at $2,864.

In general, avoid scams by being skeptical of:

Offers that sound “too good to be true”
Pushy sales tactics
Poor quality of merchandise
Offers that require wire transfer of funds

And always check out a business first at www.bbb.org/search.

For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/news. To sign up to receive our Scam Alerts, visit BBB Scam Source at www.bbb.org/scam.

Hawaii's BBB Issues “CALL FOR NOMINATIONS” For 2012 Torch Awards

1/10/2012

Posted on 1/10/2012 by

HONOLULU (January 10, 2012) – Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Torch Awards. Awards will be presented in four categories: Small, Medium and Large businesses, and Public Charity. Nomination forms are available at hawaii.bbb.org and the nomination deadline is Thursday, March 1, 2012, at 4 p.m.

“The BBB Torch Awards aims to promote trust in the marketplace by recognizing local businesses, charities, and individuals for their outstanding commitment to fair, honest, and ethical marketplace practices,” says Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawaii’s BBB.

The BBB Torch Awards will be presented to one small business (less than 20 employees), one medium-sized business (less than 75 employees), one large business (more than 75 employees), and one public charity. The award recognizes their superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit their consumers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities, and advances trust in the marketplace.

BBB will also present the Ka Mea O Kako‘o Award to an individual or group who has considerably advanced marketplace trust through consumer advocacy, protection or education, a specific action or lifetime achievement.

The BBB Torch Awards are open to all Hawaii businesses, 501(c)(3) public charities, and individuals. BBB accreditation is not required to be nominated; however nominees must be in good standing with Hawaii’s BBB and must certify operations in Hawaii.

A panel of past BBB Torch Award recipients will review entries. Finalists will be announced in late March and winners will be revealed at the BBB Torch Award Luncheon on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Additional details about the luncheon will be forthcoming.

For more information about the BBB Torch Awards, visit Hawaii.bbb.org or call 536-6956; Neighbor Islands call toll-free at 1-877-222-6551.

Established in 1945, the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii^® (BBB) is a nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest marketplace behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses.

BBB Names Top Ten Scams of 2011

1/3/2012

Posted on 1/3/2012 by

Better Business Bureau investigates thousands of scams every year, from the latest gimmicks to schemes as old as the hills. Our new Scam Source (www.bbb.org/scam) is a comprehensive resource on scam investigations from BBBs around the country, with tips from BBB, law enforcement and others. You can sign up to receive our Scam Alerts by email, and you can also be a scam detective yourself by reporting scams you’ve discovered.

We’ve divided scams up into nine major categories and picked the top scam in each, plus our Scam of the Year.

Top Job Scam

BBB sees lots of secret shopper schemes, work-from-home scams, and other phony job offers, but the worst job-related scam can dash your hopes and steal your identity. Emails, websites and online applications all look very professional, and the candidate is even interviewed for the job (usually over the phone) and then receives an offer. In order to start the job, however, the candidate has to fill out a “credit report” or provide bank information for direct deposit of their “paychecks.” The online forms are nothing more than a way to capture sensitive personal data – Social Security number, bank accounts, etc. – that can easily be used for identity theft. And, of course, there is no job, either.

Top Sweepstakes and Lottery Scam

Sweepstakes and lottery scams come in all shapes and sizes, but the bottom line is almost always this: You’ve won a whole lot of money, and in order to claim it you have to send us a smaller amount of money. Oh, and keep this confidential until we’re ready to announce your big winnings. This year’s top sweepstakes scam was undoubtedly the email claiming to be from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announcing that the recipient was the winner of $1 million from the popular social networking site. These kinds of scams often use celebrities or other famous names to make their offer seem more genuine. If you aren’t sure, don’t click on the link but instead go directly to the homepage of the company mentioned. If they are really giving away $1 million, there will be some kind of announcement on their website. But don’t waste too much time looking.

Top Social Media/Online Dating Scam

On the Internet, it’s easy to pretend to be someone you are not. Are you really friends with all of your “Friends” on Facebook? Do you have a lot of personal information on a dating site? With so much information about us online, a scammer can sound like they know you. There are tons of ways to use social media for scams, but one this year really stands out because it appeals to our natural curiosity…and it sounds like it’s coming from a friend. Viral videos claiming to show everything from grisly footage of Osama bin Laden’s death to the latest celebrity hijinks have shown up on social media sites, often looking as if they have been shared by a friend. When you click on the link, you are prompted to “upgrade your Flash player,” but the file you end up downloading contains a worm that logs into your social media account, sends similar messages to your friends, and searches for your personal data. The next time you see a sensational headline for the latest viral video, resist the urge to peek.

Top Home Improvement Scam

Always near the top of BBB complaint data are home improvement contractors who often leave your home worse than they found it. They usually knock on your door with a story or a deal – the roofer who can spot some missing shingles on your roof, the paver with some leftover asphalt who can give you a great deal on driveway resealing. Itinerant contractors move around, keeping a step ahead of the law…and angry consumers. The worst are those who move in after a natural disaster, taking advantage of desperate homeowners who need immediate help and may not be as suspicious as they would be under normal circumstances. A large percentage of BBB’s Accredited Businesses are home contractors who want to make sure you know they are legitimate, trustworthy and dependable. Find one at www.bbb.org/search.

Top Check Cashing Scam

Two legitimate companies – Craig’s List and Western Union – are used for an inordinate amount of scamming these days, and especially check cashing scams. Here’s how it works: Someone contacts you via a Craig’s List posting, maybe for a legitimate reason like buying your old couch or perhaps through a scam like hiring you as a secret shopper. Either way, they send you a check for more than the amount they owe you, and they ask you to deposit it into your bank account and then send them the difference via Western Union. A deposited check takes a couple of days to clear, whereas wired money is gone instantly. When the original check bounces, you are out whatever money you wired…and you’re still stuck with the old couch.

Top Phishing Scam

“Phishing” is when you receive a suspicious phone call asking for personal information or an email that puts a virus on your computer to hunt for your data. It’s almost impossible to avoid them if you have a telephone or an email account. But the most pernicious phishing scam this year disguised itself as official communication from NACHA – the National Automated Clearing House Association – which facilitates the secure transfer of billions of electronic transactions every year. The email claims one of your transactions did not go through, and it hopes you react quickly and click on the link before thinking it through. It may take you to a fake banking site to “verify” your account information, or it may download malware to infiltrate your computer.

Top Identity Theft Scam

There are a million ways to steal someone’s identity. This one has gotten so prevalent that many hotels are posting warnings in their lobby. Here’s how it works: You get a call in your hotel room in the middle of the night. It’s the front desk clerk, very apologetic, saying their computer has crashed and they need to get your credit card number again, or they must have gotten the number wrong because the transaction won’t go through, and could you please read the number back so they can fix the problem? Scammers are counting on you being too sleepy to catch on that the call isn’t from the hotel at all, but from someone outside who knows the direct-dial numbers for the guest rooms. By the time morning rolls around and you are clear-headed, your credit card has been on a major shopping spree.

Top Financial Scam

In challenging economic times, many people are looking for help getting out of debt or hanging on to their home, and almost as many scammers appear to take advantage of desperate situations. Because the federal government announced or expanded several mortgage relief programs this year, all kinds of sound-alike websites have popped up to try to fool consumers into parting with their money. Some sound like a government agency, or even part of BBB or other nonprofit consumer organization. Most ask for an upfront fee to help you deal with your mortgage company or the government (services you could easily do yourself for free), and almost all leave you in more debt than when you started.

Top Sales Scam

Sales scams are as old as humanity, but the Internet has introduced a whole new way to rip people off. Penny auctions are very popular because it seems like you can get something useful - cameras, computers, etc. – for way below retail. But you pay a small fee for each bid (usually .50 to $1.00) and if you aren’t the winner, you lose that bid money. Winners often are not even the top bidder, just the last bidder when time runs out. Although not all penny auction sites are scams, some are being investigated as online gambling. BBB recommends you treat them the same way you would legal gambling in a casino – know exactly how the bidding works, set a limit for yourself, and be prepared to walk away before you go over that limit.

Scam of the Year

Yep, it’s us – the BBB phishing scam. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of people have gotten emails that very much look like an official notice from BBB. The subject line says something like “Complaint Against Your Business,” and the instructions tell the recipient to either click on a link or open an attachment to get the details. If the recipient does either, a malicious virus is launched on their computer…a virus that can steal banking information, passwords and other critical pieces of information needed for cyber-theft. BBB is working with security consultants and federal law enforcement to track down the source of these emails, and has already shut down dozens of hijacked websites. Anyone who has opened an attachment or clicked on a link should run a complete system scan using reputable anti-virus software. If your computer is networked with others, all machines on the network should be scanned, as well.

For more information on these and other scams, go to BBB Scam Source (www.bbb.org/scam). Sign up for our Scam Alerts and learn about new scams as soon as we do.

BBB Offers End of Year Checklist to Help Start 2012

12/28/2011

Posted on 12/28/2011 by
How to Get a Head Start on Making 2012 a Prosperous Year

Marlborough, MA - December 27, 2011 - December is a time for family, travel, food and fun. However, for businesses it is a great time to evaluate 2011 successes, and determine business needs for the upcoming year.

BBB offers a checklist to help you plan for 2012:

• Plan Strategically
In order to plan where you want to be one year from now, evaluate your current business successes. Take the time to update your finances, business plan and yearly budget in order to set realistic goals for 2012.

• Redefine Your Branding
Evaluate how you reach your current and future customers and determine methods to enhance your product and service offerings. This may be as simple as developing a new tagline or as in depth as investing in new technology. Determine what items should be implemented and add those to your budget for 2012.

• Finalize 2011 Projects
Review your “to do” lists and ask your employees to do the same. Assign deadlines to finish these tasks or reevaluate for the following year.

• Prepare for Tax Season
Contact your tax accountant or visit the Internal Revenue Service’s website and order your forms for the upcoming tax season. Start gathering your receipts for a faster tax preparation. Remember any employee that earned more than $600 during 2011, including contract laborers, should receive a tax form.

• Complete Employee Reviews
Schedule time with employees to complete year-end reviews, revisit goals and celebrate accomplishments. Identify the training and resources needed to develop your employees both professionally and personally.

• Take Inventory
Take a physical inventory of your office equipment and supplies. Make sure you have replacement insurance coverage for all company assets.

• Thank Your Customers
Year-end is the perfect time to send an email or holiday card thanking your customers for their business. Include a short survey to help elicit feedback on how you can improve your products and services in 2012.

For more advice on developing effective business strategies, visit bbb.org/us/Business-Resources.

BBB’s Naughty and Nice List

12/27/2011

Posted on 12/27/2011 by

While Santa gets ready to hitch up the reindeer for his big flight, consumers are making their final holiday purchases. Better Business Bureau predicts they are going to be less “Grinchy” about their gifts than they have been in years past. BBB checked Santa’s list and here’s what they found:

On the nice list this year, BBB predicts that consumers will be twice as happy with their online purchases as they have been in years past, while in-store purchases will cause more of a holiday headache. Retailers, especially department stores, should gear up for more returns and complaints this year.

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will be happier with their shiny, new toys than they were last year, while those receiving shiny, new bling may find more to complain about. Electronics and gadgets may make the naughty list this year, too…and not just because Santa forgot extra batteries.

BBB also predicts that restaurants and airlines will be on the naughty list, but it’s not too late to change Santa’s mind!

As consumers finish-up their holiday shopping, BBB is reminding shoppers to not only check their list twice, but also check BBB’s Business Reviews at www.bbb.org/search before making any purchases.

For more holiday tips, visit www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-holiday. Happy Holidays, everyone!

It’s Still Out There! New Advice for Recipients of BBB Complaint Email Scam

12/20/2011

Posted on 12/20/2011 by

Arlington, Virginia – An email scam using the Better Business Bureau’s name and logo continues to proliferate across North America, and even to some overseas addresses. Most of the emails carry the famous BBB torch logo and come with the subject line “Complaint from your customers.” The emails have a link or an attachment containing malicious phishing malware that steals information, often with devastating results.

Larry Andrus is a member of the board of directors of BBB Western Michigan and also the CEO of Trivalent Group, Inc., a BBB Accredited Business that helps its clients manage, access, protect, and store their data. One of his firm’s clients opened the affected attachment, which launched malware that quickly found the accounting office’s computers, accessed bank numbers and passwords, and nearly completed a fund transfer from the company’s account.

“We had to completely wipe the computers in order to contain the damage to our client,” said Dawn Simpson, Trivalent’s vice president of marketing and business development.

Because of experiences such as this one, BBB has updated its advice and recommends the following to anyone who receives the email:

• Do not open any attachments
• Do not click on any links
• Delete the email from your inbox, and then delete it again from your trash or recycling folder
• Run a full system scan using reputable virus software

Previously, BBB had recommended running a full system scan only if the recipient had clicked on the link or opened the attachment. But due to the virulent nature of the virus, the new recommendation is for everyone who receives it to do the scan. In offices or homes that are networked, all computers should be scanned.

Chris Garver, Chief Information Officer at the Council of Better Business Bureaus, recommends that all domain owners set up a sender policy framework (SPF) and set their spam filter to use it. “Using the SPF standard helps fight spam and phishing attacks by allowing your email servers to verify whether an email is legitimate…or not,” he says.

Microsoft offers a simple, four-step process for setting up an SPF: www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/content/technologies/senderid/wizard/

If you receive an email saying your business has a complaint filed against it with BBB, there are several things you can do to authenticate it:

• Look for typos, grammatical errors, etc. in the text that could indicate it originated overseas.
• Check to see who it says it is from. Complaints go out from the local BBBs, not from the headquarters office.
• Hover your mouse over the link to see if its destination is really a bbb.org address.
• Copy and paste the link into Notepad (not Word). Notepad does not support html, so if the link is a fake bbb.org address, the real link will show up.
• If you still are not sure, go to www.bbb.org to find your local BBB, and send them a new email to ask if you have a complaint (do not Reply to the email you received, or forward it to them). They have been swamped with requests, so you may not hear back immediately.

CBBB is working with federal law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrator of this fraud, and is also looking into other measures it can take to help prevent future phishing scams from spreading.

-0-

Media: For more information, contact Katherine Hutt at 703-247-9345 or khutt@council.bbb.org. After hours or weekends, call the BBB Media Hotline at 571-422-3584.

BBB Business Advice for Tackling Holiday Gift Returns

12/15/2011

Posted on 12/15/2011 by

BBB Business Advice for Tackling Holiday Gift Returns

While most retailers love the holidays and the increased sales of the last quarter of each year, no one looks forward to the dreaded post-holiday gift returns. BBB is advising businesses to make sure that their return policies are simple and solid before tackling customer gift returns this holiday season.

Most consumers are happy with return policies. According to the National Retail Federation’s, 2010 Holiday Returns Survey, nearly nine out of 10 Americans (88.4 percent) say they find stores’ return policies to be fair.

It’s important for retailers to keep their customers in mind when it comes to their return policy. “A solid return policy keeps customer service in mind as well as being fair to your business,” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau. “A good balance consists of being customer friendly and protecting your business from return fraud at the same time.”

BBB recommends that businesses consider the following when creating, solidifying or simplifying their return policy:

Make sure the customer is aware of your policy. Display you policies at the checkout counter and on your website.

Provide gift receipts. Six out of ten shoppers say they include a gift receipt when giving a gift, so be sure to offer one at the time of purchase.

Encourage customers to return the merchandise unused, unworn or unwrapped. Everyone likes getting merchandise in its original package and by encouraging customers to return goods this way, you better your chances that the product can be resold.

Make online returns easy. Lay out the return rules clearly. Explain who pays for the return shipping, where the customer sends the return, and any forms or mailing labels you want them to use.

Stay calm and helpful. The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone and making returns is usually not high on the customer’s list of fun things to do. When working with a customer, always go into a return with a smile. If their experience is good, you may win over a new customer.

For more helpful tips, visit http://www.hawaii.bbb.org

Five Years of Industry Self-Regulation Results in Remarkable Changes in Food Advertising to Kids, Says BBB

12/14/2011

Posted on 12/14/2011 by

Arlington, VA – Five years ago, leading food and beverage companies made a major commitment to be a part of the solution to childhood obesity by agreeing to limit what foods they advertise to children under the age of 12. The Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) launched the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) in November 2006 with ten charter companies.

The CFBAI released its annual report today and provided a five-year retrospective on the changes in children’s food advertising and on the program expansions that have made this self-regulation program even more robust. The report noted there was excellent compliance with the participants’ commitments to advertise to children only products meeting meaningful nutrition criteria or not to engage in child-directed advertising.

“Thanks to CFBAI’s participants, kids now see ads for a wide variety of healthier products, including cereals, crackers, yogurts, soups, snacks and meals, that have less sugar, sodium and fat, and are more nutritious,” said Elaine D. Kolish, CBBB Vice President and Director of CFBAI. “These days, children are regularly seeing ads for products that include, for example, whole grains.”

The CFBAI itself has changed with the times, expanding the scope of the program to cover new and emerging media, such as child-directed ads on smart phones and ads on children’s video games and DVDs. Participation also has grown to 17 companies, which represent the vast majority of food and beverage advertising to children.

“The companies that participate in the CFBAI have made major changes in their business practices since the program was launched,” stated Kolish. “Under self regulation, they’ve significantly improved the products in child-directed ads in both traditional and new media, none are advertising to kids in elementary schools, and none are doing product placement in child-directed entertainment or editorial content.”

Its most significant advance in 2011, its fifth year, was the issuance of new CFBAI category-specific uniform nutrition criteria. “The new criteria build on what CFBAI’s participants already have accomplished ─ achieving product improvements without sacrificing taste, which any parent will tell you is more than half the battle,” said Kolish.

The new uniform nutrition criteria establish limits on calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars for ten product categories, and include requirements for nutrition components to encourage, such as vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and essential vitamins and minerals. The new criteria require participants to improve many products they currently advertise to children ─ products that already meet meaningful nutrition standards ─ if they wish to continue advertising them after these criteria go into effect on December 31, 2013.

For a copy of CFBAI’s five-year report, please contact Kelsey Owen at 703-247-9376 or kowen@council.bbb.org

About the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative
The Council of Better Business Bureaus launched the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative in November 2006 to shift the mix of advertising messaging directed at children to encourage healthier dietary choices and healthier lifestyles. The 17 participants of the Initiative are Burger King Corp.; Cadbury Adams USA LLC; Campbell Soup Company; The Coca-Cola Company; ConAgra Foods, Inc.; The Dannon Company; General Mills Inc.; The Hershey Company; Kellogg Company; Kraft Foods Global, Inc.; Mars, Incorporated; McDonald’s USA, LLC; Nestlé USA; PepsiCo, Inc.; Post Foods, LLC; Sara Lee Corporation and Unilever United States. For more information about the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative and to view the current pledges of the participants visit: www.bbb.org/kids_food.

About BBB
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau^® is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports^® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit www.bbb.org for more information.

Recent Popular Tweets and Links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter and Facebook

12/9/2011

Posted on 12/9/2011 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook:

Congress Considers Bill Said to Allow Telemarketers Increased Access to Your Cell Phone http://ow.ly/7UmC3

Hawaii's BBB Torch Awards celebrates market place excellence. Nominate a Biz for the 2012 Torch Awards http://ow.ly/7UpUO

Online Dating is very popular right now but there are some things you should know http://ow.ly/7QDd8

Stay clear of debt collection scams ow.ly/7UmuT

The most asked and complained about industries in Hawaii for the month of November - along with some other BBB stats ow.ly/7T9Ad

Always use a licensed contractor - you will save money and heartache in the long run http://ow.ly/7Ngtm

Here are a few online banking safety tips http://ow.ly/7J5ze

Best Corporate Game of 2011:Freerice.com bbb.org/blog/2011/12/b… via @bbb_us

Don't Bite on this Phishing email claiming to be from BBB ow.ly/7RUUl

Something fishy? Got ripped off? Use "I want to report a scam" & tell us: ow.ly/7QHnn

Trial offers can become monthly payments for stuff you don’t want. Get info & tips to avoid negative options: ow.ly/7PIHT

Charitable Giving: A New Look at Christmas ow.ly/7PwS5

How to Pick an Investment Professional: ow.ly/7N6nn

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter and Facebook

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for the month of November

12/7/2011

Posted on 12/7/2011 by

Most Asked About Businesses

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1286
Plumbing Contractors	1069
Electricians	1027
Auto Body Repair & Painting	898
Roofing Contractors	876
Travel Clubs	776
Pest Control Services	735
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	710
Real Estate	657
Auto Repair & Service	633

Most Complained About Businesses

Type of Business

Complaints

Resolution Rates

Auto Renting & Leasing

13

100%

Timeshare Companies

13

100%

Auto Dealers - New Cars

7

100%

Banks

6

100%

Travel Clubs

6

100%

General Contractors

4

100%

Plumbing Contractors

4

100%

Restaurants

4

NA

Real Estate Agents

4

NA

Property Management

4

100%

Airlines

4

NA

Analysis of data for November 2011:

Overall volume of activities (Compared to November 10):

Web Traffic: (40% increase)

Complaint Opened: (14% increase)

Requests for information:6% decrease (111% increase)

Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: (109% increase)

Request A Quote requests: 28% increase (93% increase)

Mobile BBB Business Review: 1% increase

Outreach Activities this month

Navy Annual Retired Seminar

Saturday November 5, 2011

West Hawaii PrimeTime Wellness Fair

Thursday November 10, 2011

Don't Bite on BBB Phishing Emails

12/7/2011

Posted on 12/7/2011 by

Better Business Bureau is issuing an urgent SCAM alert cautioning businesses and consumers about an email that looks like it is from BBB, with the subject line “Complaint from your customers.” This e-mail is fraudulent; ignore its contents and delete it immediately. If you have already clicked on a link in the e-mail, run a full virus scan of your computer.

The return e-mail address is riskmanager@bbb.org (an address BBB does not use) and it is signed with the address of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the national office of the BBB system. The e-mail contains a link to a non-BBB web site. Do NOT click on the link.

BBB is working with law enforcement to determine its source and stop the fraudulent campaign.

BBB Warns Homeowners: Changes to Mortgage Rules Bring Out Scams

12/1/2011

Posted on 12/1/2011 by

Arlington, VA – Starting today, some homeowners who are “under water” with their mortgages can refinance under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), but the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that banks and mortgage companies aren’t the only ones gearing up for the rush of applications.

“Whenever there is a new or updated government program that may be a bit confusing, scammers come out of the woodwork to take advantage of that confusion,” said Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “There are already hundreds of websites claiming to be able to help homeowners through the HARP process, but many of them are rip-offs and scams.”

BBB is warning all homeowners who are thinking of applying for a HARP refinance to:

Deal directly with your lender first, and never make payments to anyone other than your lender.
Don’t pay upfront fees to anyone who promises to provide counseling, takes care of the paperwork for you, or stops the foreclosure process.
Be wary of anyone who tells you not to contact your lender, a lawyer or a credit counselor, or who asks for payment by cashier’s check or wire transfer.
Never sign over your deed to anyone, or allow yourself to be pressured into signing something you don’t understand.
Be especially careful of look-alike and sound-alike websites.
Find out if you qualify here or by calling the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) to speak to a HUD-approved housing counselor for free (assistance is available in English and Spanish, and in other languages by appointment).
Report scams to BBB at www.bbb.org/us/scam-source.

The changes to the HARP program were announced by President Obama in October to allow homeowners to refinance at lower interest rates, even if their home is currently worth less than their mortgage. The new HARP rules apply to homeowners who are current on their payments and whose loans are backed by either FannieMae or FreddieMac. Some lenders will begin accepting applications as early as today, although many will take a few weeks or even a few months to roll out the program. More than one million borrowers are expected to apply for the program, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees the two major mortgage lending programs.

Check out businesses and charities before you buy, donate or invest at www.bbb.org. Additional mortgage and credit-related tips are available at www.bbb.org/us/clearpoint-tips.

If you have credit problems, find a credit counseling agency in your area by calling 800-388-2227 (en Espanol 800-682-9832).

About BBB
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB.

BBB CONSUMER ADVICE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION WHEN DATING ONLINE

11/30/2011

Posted on 11/30/2011 by

Honolulu (November 29, 2011) - Millions use dating and social networking sites to meet people. While many are looking to start a successful relationship, there are those using these sites to take advantage others. Con Artists use these sites to meet potential victims. And while everyone is at risk, seniors are a major target.

“Unfortunately, the anonymity of the internet makes it a perfect place for con artists to hide their real intentions” Said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau. “They try to lure their victims under the guise of romantic interest.”

These con artists create fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convince seniors to send money in the name of love. The Better Business Bureau offers these tips to help you recognize when the relationship may not be what you think – especially when your “Sweetheart”

Wants to leave the dating site immediately and use personal email or telephone.
Claims love within moments of meeting you online
Claims to be from the U.S. but is traveling overseas.
Plans to visit, but is prevented by some sort of emergency or deal gone bad

Here are a few things that people can do to help prevent being scammed on dating sites. Don’t wire money to cover:

Travel
Medical emergencies
Hotel bills
Hospital bills for a child or other relative
Visas or other official documents

Don’t send money to tide someone over after a financial setback, and don’t do anyone a favor by making an online purchase or forwarding a package to another country. One request leads to another, and delays and disappointments will follow. In the end, the money will be gone along with the person you thought you knew.

Report Online relationship scams to:

· The FBI’s IC3
· Your State Attorney General
· Your Better Business Bureau

ALERT: Scam Email Claims It’s from BBB

11/23/2011

Posted on 11/23/2011 by

Better Business Bureau is issuing an urgent SCAM alert cautioning businesses and consumers about an email that is purporting to be from a bbb.org email address about a recently filed complaint. The email contains a dangerous attachment regarding a complaint and appears to direct recipients to the BBB website. This is a scam - BBB does not send complaints as attachments via email.

The email appears to come from a fake BBB employee claiming that the recipient needs to review this matter and advise the BBB of their position. From there, the email appears to direct the recipient to the BBB website, but actually directs them to an outside link. This email is fraudulent and does not originate from BBB. The email attachment and link are malicious and we are strongly advising to not open or click them.

Should you receive such an email, please disregard its message, and report any information received to BBB’s Scam Source, and then delete it. If you have clicked on the link, immediately do a virus scan.

Keep Your Holiday Budget on Track

11/22/2011

Posted on 11/22/2011 by

Arlington, VA – Whether you are gearing up to hit the malls on Black Friday, sticking close to home for Small Business Saturday, or shopping online on Cyber Monday, there is still one thing you must do first – make a holiday budget.

The average American overspends for the holidays, and then faces a bleak January as credit card bills pile up. Don’t let that happen this year! Better Business Bureau and Clearpoint Credit Counseling have teamed up to offer financial tips and an online Holiday Planner Calculator to help make sure your holidays are merry and bright!

Check out our holiday tips on creating a budget and sticking to it, safe shopping online, giving and using gift cards, and more. Use the Holiday Planner Calculator to determine an overall budget, decide how much to designate for each category (gifts, parties, travel, food and donations), then get into details like how much to spend on each person, budgeting for parties and travel, and more. Creating a budget and sticking to it can be a challenge, but being more conscious of your holiday spending habits will help you start the new year without a lot of new debt.

Some other ideas for sticking to a budget:

Cut down on gift-giving: For work gatherings, have everyone draw a name and give one gift. Set limits with family members and then get creative about finding something in your new, lower price range. Consider giving only to children. For the person who has everything, consider making a charitable donation in his or her name.

Do it yourself: Homemade crafts and decorations can be fun to make and to give. Consider baking or canning your gifts this year. Give gift certificates for future services (babysitting, dog walking, leaf raking) or special events after the holidays (shows, ice skating).

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Use less of everything, because little things add up. Is it necessary to gift wrap that huge box? How about putting a “clue” under the tree instead and have the recipient find the present hidden someplace else in the house. Reuse gift bags – they are sturdy enough to be used five or six times. Make your own gift tags and decorations. Spray paint old candle holders gold or silver instead of buying new ones.

Trim energy costs: Switch to LED lights and you’ll not only burn less energy, you’ll need fewer strands because the lights are brighter. Turn off your outside decorations when you go to bed. Turn down the thermostat when no one is home. Combine shopping trips and errands, and carpool to family gatherings.

Check out more BBB holiday tips on our website.

Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions is a national 501c3 nonprofit offering budgeting, housing and credit counseling services in all 50 states. Clearpoint is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and is a BBB National Partner.

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook:

11/18/2011

Posted on 11/18/2011 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook:

The most inquired and complained about industries in Hawaii for the month of October ow.ly/7yely

The FCC launched its Small Biz Cyber Planner, an online resource to help small biz create custom cyber-security plans ow.ly/7y9Lz

SEC Halts Scam Touting Access to Pre-IPO Shares of Facebook and Groupon ow.ly/7wUit

BBB Black Friday Tip Sheet ow.ly/7w6cY

What Makes a Good Corporate Citizen? ow.ly/7uMP8

Ideas for Growing a Small Business—Tips on getting loans & managing money:ow.ly/7r4Qb

How Can I Set My Small Business Apart: ow.ly/7uMV0

BBB Military Line supports #military personnel, families, retirees & #DoD civilians. Latest newsletter: ow.ly/7xjhi

How to Avoid Gift Card Scams bbb.org/blog/2011/11/a…

Another Day, Another Facebook Scambbb.org/blog/2011/11/a

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter and Facebook

How LinkedIn Can Enhance Your Business

11/18/2011

Posted on 11/18/2011 by

How LinkedIn Can Enhance Your Business

LinkedIn is said to be the leading online professional network. You'll see LinkedIn used in a number of different ways as it is a tool that can enhance personal brands, help you with research, give you access to new networks, and portray you as the business professional you are.

Many of the people who have signed up on LinkedIn are probably asking "now what?" James Kerr, CEO of SuperGeeks, cuts to the chase and gives you a hands-on view so you can understand what your LinkedIn strategy should be.

In this seminar you will learn:

· Easy must-do's to help you be found and leave a positive first impression

· How to interact with others, in your network or not, to do research and enhance you brand.

· How to find people that you should find to grow, enhance and nurture your network relationships.

· What makes a good profile, and what you should do to yours to improve it.

Friday December 2nd from 9am-10am
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 611
Honolulu, HI. 96813

Pastries and other refreshments provided
Parking within 1132 Bishop will be validated

BBB Accredited Business – 25 dollars
Non-BBB Accredited Businesses – 35 dollars

Seats are limited for this event – Please call 808-628-3907 to reserve your seat.
Or email us if you have any questions.

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for the month of October

11/18/2011

Posted on 11/18/2011 by

Most Asked About Businesses

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1601
Roofing Contractors	1100
Electricians	1088
Auto Body Repair & Painting	983
Plumbing Contractors	953
Solar Energy Products Installation Contractors	925
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	877
Travel Clubs	868
Pest Control Services	774
Construction & Remodeling Services	718

Most Complained About Businesses

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Toys - Retail	10	66.67%
Auto Dealers - New Cars	6	100%
Auto Renting & Leasing	6	80%
Real Estate Agents	6	100%
Travel Clubs	6	80%
Auto Dealers - Used Cars	5	100%
Wedding Consultants	5	100%
Handyman Services	4	0%
Hotels	4	75%
Property Management	4	100%
Resorts	4	100%
Towing - Automotive	4	100%
Sweepstakes	4	0%

Analysis of data for October 2011:

Overall volume of activities compared to previous month (Compared to October 10):

Web Traffic: (39% increase)
Requests for information: (66% increase)
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: (62% increase)
Request A Quote requests: 27% increase

Outreach Activities this month

Presentation to Koolau Senior Hui	Thursday October 13, 2011
Kauai PrimeTime Wellness Fair	Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Secure Your ID Day	Saturday October 22, 2011
Hawaii Small Business Fair	Saturday October 29, 2011

BBB Black Friday Tip Sheet

11/16/2011

Posted on 11/16/2011 by

It’s time to start planning your Black Friday, that special day after Thanksgiving when retailers gear up to offer their best. Better Business Bureau past experience tells us that all deals are not created equal and the fine print is often the most important thing. Before you head out the door for a block buster and get caught up in the frenzy, the BBB offers the following tip sheet to help you save time and money.

Tip 1 – Know before You Go.
In the coming weeks many retailers will release their Black Friday deals online, in social media and other publications. Research where the sales are and make a list of your gift priorities to compare prices and plan your day of deals. Since many advertisements will begin before the actual sale, build up a coupon collection as soon as possible. Remember to bring ads with you on Black Friday just in case the price is not what you expected.

Tip 2 – Don’t Fall for False Advertising.
Despite BBBs effort to advance trust in the marketplace, some companies will resort to advertisements that are untrue, misleading, deceptive, or plain fraudulent. Black Friday advertising will be abundant and BBB urges consumers to watch for red flags.

Many consumers have experienced frustration and lost money they can’t afford to lose after being lured by prices too good to be true, bait and switch ads designed to bring you in but push you toward more expensive items, fine print return policies, final sales, and deals that end before the day is done. To protect you on Black Friday, BBB advises consumers not to believe all they see or hear without doing their own research to confirm the claims being made. For details and help to decipher truth in adverting, consumers can review BBB's code of advertising.

Tip 3 – Maximize Advance Alerts.
Do you have favorite retailers? Now is a good time to sign up for their email alerts and “like” their Facebook page. BBB Accredited Businesses and other stores are working to reward your loyalty and you may get a jump on special offers.

Tip 4 – Set up Your Reward Cards.
Have you ever stood in line with out your store rewards card? You either missed out or the clerk may have handed one over. Black Friday deals may have strict restrictions with no sharing allowed. Make sure you have reward cards with your favorite stores and keep them with you. Check your credit card rewards program as well for special points that could add up on Black Friday.

Tip 5 – Shop with Trust.
If you find a deal – don’t just jump at the first chance to get it. The BBB recommends doing your research on the business – know how long they’ve been in business, look into their customer service track record, check them out at bbb.org. If you have concerns about the type of gift or the right fit – make sure you ask about their return policy too.

Tip 6 – Comparative Shop Online.
There are dozens of Black Friday websites that claim to capture the best deals around and they can really help you do your comparative shopping online. Before you pick your favorite site, the BBB recommends that consumers find a reputable site that’s not a fly-by-night operation by checking them out at bbb.org and see what others say about the site through an online search.

If you decide to buy online there are a host of security measures to abide by, among them to Start with Trust and know you are dealing with an experienced, reputable retailer; confirm that the site is secure and be certain you have a phone number and physical address should problems arise with your order.

Tip 7 – Look for QR Codes.
They’re square, black-and-white and funny looking – but they can take you straight to a deal. QR stands for Quick Response codes and they’re popping up in many ads and print materials. Several BBB Accredited Businesses use them to help you Start with Trust and they can bring you directly to a special offer or a BBB Business Review. Before you can scan one and view the offer - you’ll have to install a QR app reader. Most newer smart phones are equipped to scan QR codes and if you’re a mobile shopper you could really have some fun.

Tip 8 - Shop Small
Save your gas money and your time when you stay close to home. The Better Business Bureau is encouraging consumers to support small businesses in their community on Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday. Check your neighborhood retailers for their weekend deals and gain some goodwill by knowing you’ve done your part to help them thrive during the holidays. Although a price match may not be applicable for some items - your neighborhood store may be able to guarantee a price for you – even if you decide to buy later.

Tip 9 - Check Return and Exchange Policies.
All bets can change for Black Friday deals which means the store policies can change too. Make sure you know what the return and exchange policy is for your Black Friday special and that a return is even possible – especially if you’re buying online. Final sales, a very short return window (like before December 25^th) or in-store or online only credit could leave you with deal gone wrong.

Tip 10 – Shop Safely.
While getting a deal is important, there are ways to shop safely without putting yourself or your wallet in jeopardy. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to take their time and plan ahead for the best rewards.

· Make a list and prioritize where you should go and when.

· Bring friends into the mix to help sort through your options, two cars can go in two directions making it easier to get limited quantities and some pals will even wait in line as you trade off shopping in the stores.

· Remember to get gift receipts and keep them organized for those moments when the thought wasn’t quite enough.

Recent Popular Tweets and Links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter and Facebook

11/11/2011

Posted on 11/11/2011 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook:

Always be on the alert for shady deals & scams. Get tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud: http://ow.ly/7r49M

Today we honor the hard work and sacrifice of the entire veteran community. Thank you Veterans everywhere #veteransday

11 Ways to Help Veterans on 11-11-11 ow.ly/7r4LE

Cell Phone Providers Sell Customers’ Information bbb.org/blog/2011/11/c… via @bbb_us

Learn How to Protect Elder Americans from Investment Swindles, Other Financial Abuse ow.ly/7pByt

Consumer Financial Rights: ow.ly/7oBPh

Avoid Social Security Scams says Carol bbb.org/blog/2011/11/a… via @bbb_us

2nd annual Small Business Saturday - Nov 26. ow.ly/7opxz

Holiday Layaway- Is it for you? bbb.org/blog/2011/11/h…

Firefox 8 launches with Twitter search ow.ly/7n30G

Usually we are talking about gadgets when referring to toys, but these children toys look pretty neat ow.ly/7lz4E

New fake coupons circulating for several popular items. See the ones not to use or accept: ow.ly/7jIQ2

Identity Theft & Your Social Security Number: ow.ly/7jIOD

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter and Facebook

11 Ways to Help Veterans on 11-11-11

11/11/2011

Posted on 11/11/2011 by
Better Business Bureau arms consumers and business owners with suggestions on how to support veterans and military service members this Veterans Day: Friday, Nov. 11, 2011.

Volunteer: According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the V.A.'s Voluntary Service is the largest volunteer program in the federal government.

1. Student Volunteer Program allows students to provide care and medical treatment to veterans.

2. Corporate Volunteerism redeems the talents and efforts of employees seeking to "serve those who have served."

3. Homeless Veterans Program connects homeless veterans and their families to community services.

4. National Cemetery Administration honors veterans at commemorative cemeteries and national shrines.

5. Volunteer Transportation Network links volunteer drivers with those seeking care from the V.A.

6. Welcome Home Events around the country welcome back returning military service members and offer guidance on V.A. programs and benefits.

Donate: Door-to-door solicitors, telemarketers and direct mailers plea for donations; but first, find out how the organization benefits veterans.

7. National Resource Directory lists 'Veteran Service Organizations.' Also, check registration with the state and the Internal Revenue Service.

Motivate: An estimated 3 million American veterans own their own businesses, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

8. Center for Veterans Enterprise provides resources for veteran entrepreneurs and an online database of veteran business owners.

9. Small Business Administration's Office of Veteran Business Development maximizes the availability of small business programs for veterans.

10. Veterans' Employment and Training Service, a program of the U.S. Department of Labor, prepares veterans for meaningful careers and protects employment rights.

11. VetSuccess educates veterans who are in transition at work, school or home.

BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington encourages supporters to:

· Find more opportunities on volunteer.va.gov, volunteer.gov and serve.gov.

· Vet businesses, "Veterans & Military Organizations" and charities at bbb.org.

· Utilize BBB Military Line, which offers free guidance on various financial matters.

BBB Issues Warning About Veterans’ Day Scams

11/11/2011

Posted on 11/11/2011 by

Arlington, VA – Some of the most cynical scams target service members, their families and veterans, warns the Better Business Bureau. Veterans’ Day is a key opportunity for scammers who would target those who are serving or have served their nation, especially elderly vets.

“It is unconscionable that one of the most dedicated and selfless segments of our population would be targeted by unscrupulous businesses, but they are,” said Brenda Linnington, director of BBB Military Line. “At BBB, we believe our military consumers deserve the level of respect and support commensurate with the effort they make every day on behalf of the rest of us – and we’ll do our utmost on their behalf by promoting a safe and ethical marketplace for all military consumers.” BBB Military Line provides free financial literacy and consumer protection services to the military community, as well as information on the latest scams, schemes, and ID theft tactics that threaten them.

Among the scams to watch out for:

Posing as the Veterans Administration and contacting vets to say they need to update their credit card, bank or other financial records with the VA;
Charging veterans for services they could get for free or less expensively elsewhere, such as military records;
Fraudulent investment schemes that convince veterans to transfer their assets into an irrevocable trust;
Offering “instant approval” military loans (“no credit check,” “all ranks approved”) that can have high interest rates and hidden fees;
Advertising housing online with military discounts and incentives, and then bilking service personnel out of the security deposit;
Trying to sell things like security systems to spouses of deployed military personnel by saying the service member ordered it to protect his or her family;
Selling stolen vehicles at low prices by claiming to be soldiers who need to sell fast because they’ve been deployed;
Posing as government contractors recruiting veterans and then asking for a copy of the job applicants’ passport (which contains a lot of personal information);
Posing on online dating services as a lonely service member in a remote part of Iraq or Afghanistan, and then asking for money to be wired to a third party for some emergency.

Another caution is to watch out for questionable charity appeals that raise funds on behalf of military organizations. “Telephone solicitors will call and say they are with a group that is helping veterans, service members or their families,” says Art Taylor, president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. “As with all charity appeals, before you donate, check out the organization with the BBB to verify that the charity meets BBB charity standards.”

BBB advises service members, veterans and all consumers never to give personal identification information (Social Security, bank account, military identification or credit card numbers, etc.) to anyone who contacts you by phone or e-mail, and to be wary of any solicitations that involve purchasing something or transferring money. Consumers can check out businesses and charities for free at www.bbb.org. Military personnel and veterans who need assistance should contact the United Service Organizations (www.uso.org), their state office of veterans’ affairs, or the Veterans’ Administration.

Recent Popular Tweets and Links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter and Facebook

11/4/2011

Posted on 11/4/2011 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter & Facebook

Five Facts You Didn’t Know About the BBB ow.ly/7cfdA

Peanut butter lovers will soon face the brunt of soaring prices ow.ly/7heen

Timothy Caminos from Hawaii's BBB speaks about ID Theft with Vanessa Stewart – http://ow.ly/70qK5

How You Give is Just as Important as What You Give – Give Wisely this Holiday Season ow.ly/7g6ou

Love to watch videos? How about making them? Learn to use YouTube for business with guest speaker James Kerr of @supergeeks ow.ly/78T81

Strategic Reflections Imposter Duping Consumers bbb.org/blog/2011/11/s…

Consumers and Good Businesses Win When BBB Exposes Bad Business bbb.org/blog/2011/11/c…

Should Liquor Be Sold in the Competitive Marketplace? http://ow.ly/7g6l0

National Foundation for Credit Counseling Launches MyMoneyCheckUp bbb.org/blog/2011/11/n

Interesting quick pay application for your smart phone ow.ly/7h5xm

Free Money: How To Get A Government Grant, and how NOT to get one ow.ly/7gTd3

Macy’s to be Open for 23 Hours On Black Friday bbb.org/blog/2011/11/m… via @bbb_us

Hawaii's BBB Helping the people avoid ID theft! http://ow.ly/6WYSY

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter and Facebook

How You Give is Just as Important as What You Give – Give Wisely this Holiday Season

11/1/2011

Posted on 11/1/2011 by
Because of technology and the creativity of charities, there are many different ways that donors can give to a worthy cause. Whether you’re giving money, canned goods, used items or your time, BBB Wise Giving Alliance reminds donors that how you give is just as important as what you give.

According to the Giving USA Foundation, total estimated charitable giving in the United States rose 3.8 percent in 2010 (2.1 percent adjusted for inflation). The increase reflects the continued determination of every American to support charitable organizations even during challenging economic times.

“With a tight budget this holiday season, it will be important for donors to be creative when giving back and supporting those who are less fortunate,” said H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. “When looking to make a contribution, it’s important to take the time to do your research. How you give is just as important as what you give.”

BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following five common ways that people donate to charities over the holidays and a few things to consider:

Give items. Many organizations solicit for donations over the holidays including coats, toys, and canned goods. Whatever you’re donating, make sure the items are of good condition and that the recipient charity is accepting such items to help further its cause.

Give when you shop. Many charities have had great success partnering with businesses that agree to donate some amount of the purchase price from sales of items to a worthy cause. This type of cause-related marketing means that you can help while you shop. Check if the promotion identifies the actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price the charity will receive. Also some businesses, like grocery stores, ask if you want to donate to a charity and have that amount added to your receipt (also called embedded giving). See if the embedded promotion states which specific charity will receive the collected funds.

Give online. Giving online with a credit or debit card is among the most efficient ways to support a charity. Before you enter in your numbers, give the website a thorough review, look for the organization’s privacy policy, and verify if the organization has appropriate security measures in place to protect such transactions.

Give through text messaging. The option to give via text message took off in the wake of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti. After texting a message to a number, the donation is tacked on to your cell phone bill. While donating via text is fast and easy for the donor, the actual money can take 60 – 90 days to reach the charity since the funds are forwarded after you pay the donation charge on your next monthly cell phone bill. During disaster giving periods like Haiti, however, cell phone carriers work to forward funds faster. Of course, charities welcome donations at any time during the year.

Give your time. In today’s tight economy, you may not have money, but you can always give a little bit of your time to help support a worthy cause. In addition to volunteering around the holidays, you can also be a vocal supporter of a charity and help raise awareness among friends and family and on your Facebook page or blog.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on more than 1,200 national charitable organizations at www.bbb.org/charity and determines if they meet 20 accountability standards addressing governance, finances and fund raising practices.

To review charity evaluations and get more advice on how to give when times are tight, visit www.bbb.org/charity.

Strange email from StubHub? It's a scam.

10/27/2011

Posted on 10/27/2011 by

Consumers across the country are reporting scam emails that appear to be from ticket company StubHub. The emails try to lure recipients into sharing credit card information by falsely alerting consumers they are being charged for expensive boxing tickets to a match in Nevada.

StubHub says this scam has been hitting since 7 AM this morning, and they have had many consumer complaints. Anyone who has a StubHub account (and some who haven’t) may be at risk.

How the scam aworks:

The email asks you to login to your StubHub account to confirm the order.

DON’T login. A computer program may steal your password, giving thieves access to your StubHub account where valid credit card info may be stored.

Change your account password if you have an account at StubHub right away. Go directly to the StubHub site to do that, not through the email.

Send a copy of the email you receive to safety@stubhub.com, so StubHub can investigate.

If you are concerned about false credit card charges, go directly to the StubHub website and follow their instructions about how to contact the real business.

BBB warns against bogus Facebook Sweepstakes

10/24/2011

Posted on 10/24/2011 by

The Better Business Bureau warns that a bogus email supposedly from Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook is popping up in email inboxes. The scam email claims that the recipient is the winner of $1 million in “our 2011 Sweepstakes (Facebook Inc).”

The lottery emails are not from Facebook, and the BBB warns recipients not to click on the link in the email to claim the prize. One possibility: the link could lead to malware – harmful or malicious programs – being downloaded to the recipient’s computer. Or the recipient might receive an email reply from a scammer with instructions to wire thousands of dollars up front as some sort of fee to claim the non-existent prize.

The phony Facebook lottery email continues, “… your details(e-mail address) falls within our European representative office in Amsterdam, Holland, as indicated in your play coupon and your prize of US$1,000000 will be released to you from this regional branch office in England.”

Recipients are asked to click on a link to claim the prize, and are told to keep the information confidential: “For security reasons, we advice all winners to keep this information confidential from the public until your claim is processed and your prize released to you … ANY BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY ON THE PART OF THE WINNERS WILL RESULT TO DISQUALIFICATION.”

There are several red flags that the email is a scam:

· Businesses do not email consumers out of the blue to say consumers have won a lottery prize.

· The names of well-known businesses and individuals are often used in lottery scams to give the impression of a real lottery, even though there’s no connection to the named businesses or individuals.

· Prize winners would not be asked to click on a link in an unexpected email in order to claim a prize.

· The misspellings and poor grammar are signs that the email was not professionally prepared.

· The demand for confidentiality is a ploy to keep recipients from turning to someone they trust for advice, or checking with authorities.

Anyone who receives scam email can report the email to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov. Recipients may also want to forward bogus emails to the business that’s named in the email.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and BBB urges consumers and businesses to guard against online scams.

For tips on avoiding scams, see OnGuardOnline.gov at http://onguardonline.gov/topics/avoid-scams

Businesses can learn about protecting data by visiting Data Security – Made Simpler at http://www.bbb.org/data-security/

BBB Seminar - Learn How to Use YouTube for Business

10/24/2011

Posted on 10/24/2011 by

Did you know Videos can improve sales conversion rates by as much as 30%?

Videos are being watched everywhere at a rapidly growing rate every day. Videos both un-staged and produced are making their way into search engine results, your Facebook wall, Twitter feeds and your LinkedIn updates each day.

Join us and guest speaker James Kerr, Chief Geek of SuperGeeks as we talk about how free solutions like YouTube can boost your company's sales and net income.

Topics include:

How to get started with YouTube
What are best practices
How video can help with Search Engine Optimization
What kind of low-cost hardware and software you can use to create and edit video
Which videos have the greatest impact
How video can be used to reduce operational costs

Friday November 4^th from 9am-10am
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 611
Honolulu, HI. 96813

Pastries and other refreshments provided
Parking within 1132 Bishop will be validated

BBB Accredited Business – 25 dollars
Non-BBB Accredited Businesses – 35 dollars

Seats are limited for this event – Please call 808-628-3907 to reserve your seat.
Or email us if you have any questions.

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for the month of September

10/20/2011

Posted on 10/20/2011 by

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution
Auto Dealers - New Cars	13	100%
Travel Clubs	10	25%
Auto Renting & Leasing Co	9	100%
Jewelers - Retail	6	100%
Toys - Retail	6	57.14%
Property Management	6	100%
Restaurants	5	60%
Auto Body Repair & Painting	5	100%
Dentists	5	50%
Real Estate Agents	5	50%
Airlines	5	100%
Auto Dealers - Used Cars	4	66.67%
Home Centers	4	NA
Storage Units - Household & Commercial	4	100%
Television Stations & Broadcast Companies	4	100%

Most Asked About Businesses

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1372
Roofing Contractors	1037
Travel Clubs	921
Plumbing Contractors	918
Electricians	890
Auto Body Repair & Painting	797
Pest Control Services	752
Solar Energy Products Installation Contractors	745
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	741
Wedding Consultants	658

BBB Consumer Services

Complaints opened: 262
Requests for information: 54,826
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 11,242

Analysis of data for September 2011:

Overall volume of activities (Compared to September 10):

Web Traffic: (37% increase)
Complaint Opened: (3% increase)
Requests for information:(57% increase)
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: (54% increase)

ID Theft in the Charity Sector

10/17/2011

Posted on 10/17/2011 by

We all know identity theft is a serious problem that continues to affect our country. Last year, 8.1 million Americans were victims of ID theft, according to a 2011 report from Javelin Strategy and Research. A couple of years ago on the Big Island, my wife’s Visa debit card was stolen from her purse while she was working. The thief drove to the nearby computer store, purchased $800 worth of equipment, and then returned the card to my wife’s purse. Fortunately she caught the unauthorized charge a few hours later and had it reversed. Good news for our bank account, but when the store owner didn’t receive payment for his merchandise, he filed charges against my wife for theft.

The awful stories of ID theft we hear or read about mostly involve ID theft of individuals, and on occasion, businesses. But make no mistake, nonprofits are just as vulnerable.

According to a Forbes magazine article published earlier this year, it was discovered that someone was able to steal the tax IDs of almost 2,400 small or dissolved nonprofits. The thief was able to use the IRS form 990-N e-filing system to list the same person, William Alexander of Non Profit Accounting Services, as the charitable official for thousands of charities. The charities with Alexander listed as the principal officer, not surprisingly, all have the same private mail-box address on North Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas.

As you might expect, attempts to locate Alexander were unsuccessful and Non Profit Accounting Services is not listed in Las Vegas phone directories nor does it appear to have filed paperwork with the state business registration office in Nevada. Additionally, the fraudulent “relocation” of these nonprofits is appearing on the private database services that regularly use IRS data, such as Melissa Data and Guidestar. Furthermore, the Urban Institute, the organization that the IRS outsources the 990-N e-filing system to, was unaware of the problem until Forbes called to gather information for their article.

The reason for concern here should be obvious; the high potential for fraudulent solicitations in the name of a charity that is no longer in operation or isn’t aware that their ID has been stolen.

In the wake of such large-scale fraud, ID theft prevention for nonprofits should be more important than ever. Taking the initiative to stay abreast of important changes in the nonprofit sector and disposing of sensitive information properly are two effective methods for reducing the opportunities for ID theft.

Here in our state, the BBB Foundation of Hawaii helps nonprofits, as well as individuals and small businesses, keep their identity safe by annually holding a public service event where documents are shredded for free. Secure Your ID Day 2011 will be held on Saturday October 22 from 9am to Noon at three locations: Mililani High School, McKinley High School, and Kailua Elementary. The public is allowed to bring 2 file-size boxes or bags of documents for secure shredding. Cell phones, computers, laptops, and servers will also be accepted for recycling and hard drive destruction

The IRS hasn’t commented as to what action they may take regarding the almost 2400 falsely filed 990-Ns or to locate the person responsible for the nonprofit ID theft. But not every story ends so ominously. A few days later, my wife caught her thief red-handed and turned the thief over to the police. The charges filed by the computer store were eventually dropped and my wife’s name was cleared.

BBB iPhone App Now Available

10/12/2011

Posted on 10/12/2011 by

ARLINGTON, VA — Last year, consumers turned to the Better Business Bureau 87 million times to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities. Now they can have that information in the palm of their hand with the release of the official BBB Search app, a convenient, mobile BBB solution available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The app was approved by the Apple Store and is available for download as of today.

“For 100 years, BBB has been the trusted source for unbiased information on businesses and charities,” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “We have data on more than 4 million businesses in the United States and Canada – an amazing wealth of information to help consumers find trustworthy businesses…and to help them avoid those that are not. We are excited to offer this information to consumers on the go.”

BBB Search features include:

Search for local businesses by name, phone, URL, or category type
Search via current location or specified city, state or ZIP code
Display search results in list or map views
Access previous searches through the history menu
View the BBB Business Review for every business listing, complete with BBB Rating, contact info, BBB Accreditation status, consumer complaint history, and more
Save a listed business's info to Favorites or iOS contacts
Share a business's BBB Business Review URL via email, Twitter, or Facebook
Find a local BBB near you
Read the latest BBB Consumer News

Today’s launch follows a successful soft launch in June, with additional enhancements and fixes:

BBB Consumer News now includes a "pull down to update" feature.
BBB Business Reviews display a mobile-optimized interface within the app.
The ZIP code keyboard now supports letters for Canadian postal codes.
If a ZIP code was set in the Search Options, that ZIP code is also used as the default location for the Find a BBB search field.
Tapping on Find a BBB automatically displays the closest BBB location based on current ZIP code setting.
When adding a selected business to iOS contacts, the business's phone number is now always included.
Improved error handling with more descriptive and user-friendly messages.
Several minor bug fixes have been implemented and a reported crash bug on iOS 3.x devices is now fixed.

BBB Search 1.1 is available as a free app download on Apple's iOS App Store for devices running iOS 3.1 or higher. An Internet connection is required.

App Store: Find BBB Search app in the app store.

For more information, please visit: http://www.bbb.org/iphone/

About BBB
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau® is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit http://www.bbb.org for more information.

# # #

For press inquiries, please contact Kelsey Owen:
email KOwen@council.bbb.org or phone 703-247-9376

BBB iPhone app screenshots for press use only:

The First Rule in Identity Protection: If you don't need it, destroy it.

10/4/2011

Posted on 10/4/2011 by

HONOLULU (October 4, 2011) – Hawaii’s BBB invites the Oahu community to BBB Secure Your ID Day on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 from 9 a.m. to Noon at three locations on the island.

The first rule in identity protection: If you don’t need it, destroy it...responsibly. BBB is here to help with our community shredding event, Secure Your ID Day.

Individuals and small businesses are encouraged to take a key step in identity protection by shredding and properly disposing of sensitive paper documents, CDs and floppy disks, CPUs, servers and unused cell phones. BBB staff will also be on-site to provide expert advice and tips for identity theft protection.

“For a number of years now, identity theft has arguably been the most pervasive crime in the United States” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s BBB. “Behind every statistic is a person whose life has been altered.”

BBB Secure Your ID Day locations:

McKinley High School
Mililani High School
Kailua Elementary

Bring up to two boxes or bags of documents, CDs and floppy disks to be shredded and take home the tips and resources you need to help protect your identity. Paper documents should be removed from binders, but staples and paper clips can be shredded.

BBB Secure Your ID Day also includes free, safe and secure cell phone recycling. The cell phones collected will have all user content removed before being refurbished, reused or smelted down for metals and plastics.

In addition, we will be accepting old laptops, CPUs, and servers for secure hard drive destruction for FREE

Hawaii’s BBB Secure Your ID Day is held in conjunction with National Protect Your Identity Week and sponsored by BBB Foundation of Hawaii, Access Information Management, Pacific Corporate Solutions and Bank of Hawaii.

About Hawaii’s BBB
Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at www.bbb.org.

Secure your ID Day

10/4/2011

Posted on 10/4/2011 by

Secure Your ID Day October 22, 2011
9am - Noon

Fight ID theft with BBB at a FREE shredding event.
Because YOU are your own best defense against identity theft.

The first rule in identity protection: If you don’t need it, destroy it...responsibly. BBB is here to help with our community shredding event, Secure Your ID Day.

On October 22, Hawaii’s BBB along with Access Information Management, Pacific Corporate Solutions and Bank of Hawaii will host an identity theft and fraud protection event at three locations on Oahu: Mililani High School, McKinley High School, and Kailua Elementary.

Bring up to two file boxes or bags of paper documents, CDs and floppy disks that contain information you don't want in the hands of identity thieves, and we’ll shred it for you on the spot—for FREE.

In addition, we will be accepting old cell phones for recycling and laptops, CPUs, and servers for secure hard drive destruction for FREE.

BBB Advises Debit Card Users to be on the Lookout for New Fees

10/3/2011

Posted on 10/3/2011 by
Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers that they may be seeing new fees on their bank statement for using their debit card.

Recent changes in banking laws capped the “swipe fee” that banks can charge retailers for debit transactions. The average fee was 44 cents per transaction, but the new law caps the fee at 21 cents. Banks estimate they will lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year in debit card transaction fees and are looking to recoup that money from customers by modifying various checking account fees.

Some of the nation’s largest financial institutions already have announced a flat monthly fee of $3-$5 for debit card use, although some may go to a per-transaction fee, particularly for infrequent users.

BBB is advising consumers and business owners to be on the alert for notices from their financial institutions about changes in the terms of their accounts. “If you don’t understand a notice you receive or see a new fee on your account statement that you weren’t expecting, contact your financial institution and ask for an explanation,” said Council of Better Business Bureaus spokesperson Katherine Hutt.

Account holders may want to ask their bank if there are programs to waive the fee for accounts with a minimum balance. It also pays to shop around; some financial institutions may keep no-fee debit cards.

For more consumer information you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.

Recent Popular Tweets and Links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter

9/30/2011

Posted on 9/30/2011 by

The recent popular tweets and links from Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter:

Consumer Alert: Cell Phone Security http://ow.ly/6JY1Y

RT @FTCgov Did you buy EasyTone or RunTone shoes? Here’s info on how to get your refund: go.usa.gov/8yL

The Website’s Cool. But Is It Safe? http://ow.ly/6HVxG via @bbb_us

Got a hot investment opportunity? Run it through the FINRA Scam Meter first: http://ow.ly/6GGzx

Vetting the Lender http://ow.ly/6DlgB

BBB Seminar w/ @supergeeks Topic: "SEO" On-page, off-page, and everything in between http://ow.ly/6CmQO

Hawaii's most inquired and complained about industries for the month of August, as well as other Hawaii BBB statistics http://ow.ly/6Cd8L

Heidi Klum Named #1 Riskiest Celebrity Search http://ow.ly/6Bjdf

BBB Advice on Student Data Security -http://ow.ly/6zUZB

Spot a Scam? Report it! bbb.org/blog/2011/09/s

#Warning —#Scam spreading: "Facebook to start charging" do not click bit.ly/oGEg4j

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter.

BBB Seminar - Search Engine Optimization

9/22/2011

Posted on 9/22/2011 by

BBB SEMINAR – Search Engine Optimization

On-page, off-page, and everything in between

Ever wonder why your business doesn't show up at the top of the results of search engines like Google® or Bing™, Yahoo!®? Many businesses who are high on the results list have specifically crafted their sites to get found by these engines—and, as a result, by the consumers who use search engines every day to make purchasing decisions. The process of tailoring your site is called "Search Engine Optimization" (SEO) and can deliver real results for your business.

James Kerr, Chief Geek of SuperGeeks, demystifies the process talking about all that stuff on the page, off the page and everything in between.

Friday, October 7 2011
11am-12pm
1132 Bishop St. Suite 615.
Honolulu, HI. 96813

Pastries and other refreshments provided

BBB Accredited Businesses $25
Non BBB Accredited Busiensses $35

Seats are limited
Reserve yours by calling 808-628-3907
or
Email us if you have any questions about the event.

Hawaii's BBB Activity Report for August 2011

9/22/2011

Posted on 9/22/2011 by

Most AskedAbout Businesses

Types of Business	Inquiries
General Contractors	1625
Roofing Contractors	1163
Plumbing Contractors	1158
Travel Clubs	1110
Pest Control Services	1108
Electricians	1032
Solar Energy Products Installation Contractors	888
Travel Agencies & Bureaus	849
Auto Body Repair & Painting	829
Wedding Consultants	772

Most Complained AboutBusinesses

Type of Business	Complaints	Resolution Rates
Travel Clubs	12	43.75%
Auto Dealers - New Cars	11	100%
Restaurants	5	77.78%
Toys - Retail	5	66.67%
Auto Renting & Leasing	5	100%
Towing - Automotive	5	100%
Airlines	5	100%
Charity - Local	5
Plumbing Contractors	4	100%
Art Galleries, Dealers & Consultants	4	0%
Hotels	4	66.67%
Sweepstakes	4	0%

Analysis of data for August 2011:

Overall volume of activities compared toprevious month (Compared to August 10):

Web Traffic: 7% increase (66% increase)
Complaint Opened: 1% increase (5% increase)
Requests for information:7% decrease (62% increase)
Requests for BBB Accredited Business lists: 13% decrease (15% increase)
Total BBBOnLine Seal Clicks (including seal clicks from Dynamic seal) for Hawaii Participants: 4% increase
Request A Quote requests: 98% increase

BBB Advice on Student Security - What Every College Student Should Know

9/20/2011

Posted on 9/20/2011 by

BBB Advice on Student Security – What Every College Student Should Know

As college students get settled on campus, fighting fraud may not be at the top of their list of priorities. College students are susceptible to identity theft, however, Hawaii's Better Business Bureau recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves on campus.

In 2010, 8.1 million Americans – or 3.5 percent of the population – became victims of identity theft, according to the 2011 Identity Fraud Survey conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research and sponsored by BBB. The average mean cost of identity theft is $631 and the average time to resolve identity fraud is 33 hours – valuable study time.

“Friendly fraud” accounts for 14 percent of all ID theft crimes. This means that new roommates and friends have just as much potential of being as dastardly as a foreign-based scam artist phishing on the Internet. And identity thieves – friend or foe – think nothing of dumpster diving (or rifling through unattended trash cans) for unshredded paperwork or even taking mail from unlocked mailboxes (or off a desk). They can even cruise social networking sites looking for some personal tidbit that can unlock a wealth of information elsewhere.

“In this day and age, you must be cautious with how you treat your personal information,” said Dwight Kealoha, president and CEO of Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau. “It’s extremely important for students to be attentive to their bank and credit card statements to spot unauthorized activity. Sign up for security alerts on your accounts and have them sent to your mobile phone so you’ll know if any changes have been made to your account.”

BBB recommends that college-bound students take the following seven steps to fight identity theft on campus:

Send sensitive mail to your parents’ home or a post office box. School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment.

Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport and bank and credit card statements. Shred credit card offers and any paper documents that have sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out.

Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone. Just say no if your friend wants to borrow your card or asks you to co-sign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.

Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus and spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from any new advances by identity thieves online.

Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you’ll suffer in the long run.

Check out unfamiliar websites with the BBB. Look for the BBB Accredited Business seal along with other trust seals; click on the seals to confirm that they are legitimate.

Check your credit report at least once a year. You are entitled to one free report a year from each of the three reporting bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Look for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

Post 9/11 Giving

9/14/2011

Posted on 9/14/2011 by

When the events of September 11, 2001 transpired, I was still living in Denver, I was clueless about the nonprofit sector, and our current forms of communication were just starting to become part of everyday life. At that time, I was making a living painting custom homes and still two years away from taking a position as a charity regulator for the State of Colorado. I remember the usefulness of the Internet being limited to emailing pictures of my kids to family in Hawaii and that I still had to pull the antenna out of my cell phone before I made a call. Looking back, I don’t remember anyone fundraising or donating via the Internet and I would have been bewildered if someone asked me to text a donation.

But as we all know, things changed after 9/11, including the way we donate after national and global crises. According to Una Osili, Ph.D., Director of Research at Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, the attacks were the beginning of philanthropic responses on national and international scales, of organized philanthropy around disasters. Not that it was the first time in history we were asked to respond to a crisis, but it was the first time we had a venue through which we could globally broadcast need, solicit donations, and organize long-distance partnerships.

Because of the messages we were able to get out over the Internet, more than 70 percent of American households gave to 9/11 relief efforts, with individual giving accounting for 61 percent of the $1 billion plus that was raised by the Red Cross in the year after. Most telling is that just three years later, 30 percent of American households gave in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, an amount of giving to an international disaster probably unheard of prior to the Internet. In addition, there was an increase in corporate giving, which accounted for more than 25 percent of the money raised by the Red Cross after 9/11, and heightened cooperation among businesses, government agencies, and charities responding to large-scale disasters.

In the years after our nation’s most tragic event, we were able to take the philanthropic lessons learned - how need is communicated and donations are stewarded - and apply them to subsequent natural disasters. With the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the awareness and response has incrementally multiplied. This year, with ability to donate by text or via the Internet on our phones, the Hawaii Japan-America Society of Hawaii received $3.5 million in donations and the Hawaii chapter of the American Red Cross another $4.6 million from Hawaii residents and businesses to help with tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

In addition, charities realized they needed a way to make services more accessible to people and they needed to become partners with the broader nonprofit community to meet that need. One example was nonprofits active in disaster response, like the Red Cross, Catholic Charities, United Way, and Salvation Army, partnering to create the Coordinated Assistance Network, a system that allows nonprofits to share information so clients only have to tell a case worker their story once, instead of each time they visit a service provider.

Ten years later, we not only remember the lives that were lost, but also reflect on the ways the nonprofit sector learned to use technology to meet the needs of our neighbors, here and abroad, and to bring our country and the world closer together.

Hawaii's BBB Charity Guy

The week's most popular tweets and links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter:

9/9/2011

Posted on 9/9/2011 by

The week's most popular tweets and links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter:

Something fishy? Got ripped off? Use "I want to report a scam" & tell us: http://ow.ly/6klx0

BBBOnLine's search engine helps you find trustworthy sites for shopping online http://ow.ly/6klza

Virtual Offices — Imparting Stature or Deception? bbb.org/blog/2011/09/v… via @bbb_us

Many Hawaii residents are still being solicited by fraudulent mortgage audit companies - don't fall for their scam! http://ow.ly/6mZz

BBB Seminar - Advances in Technology, What Every Business Owner Should Know http://ow.ly/6n2rk

New fake coupons circulating for several popular items. See the ones not to use or accept: http://ow.ly/6qpy4

If you're a victim of credit card fraud, use BBB’s 4-step plan to address the issue ASAP: http://ow.ly/6qp4J

Spot a new Scam? Report it at BBB Scam Source http://ow.ly/6okXh

The Fed has 5 Tips for Shopping for a Mortgage: bit.ly/5EFPNE

Many businesses out there claiming they can reduce yourmortgage payment - be careful when dealing with these type of companies http://ow.ly/6mZzf

Have a great customer service story you want to share? We would love to hear about it http://ow.ly/6qciG

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter.

BBB Advice for Making “Golden” Gold Transactions

9/8/2011

Posted on 9/8/2011 by

BBB Advice for Making “Golden” Gold Transactions

September 8, 2011 – Honolulu, HI – As global markets are currently seeing rapid declines, worried investors are seeking safe havens for their funds. Many are looking to new investment plans to help their money grow. With the price of gold at an all time high of more than $1,700 per ounce, Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to do their homework before making tempting gold transactions.

Whether through an online venue, an at home “gold party,” or your local jeweler, many consumers are looking to sell their gold jewelry for some quick cash. However, not just any dealer can be trusted. In just this year alone, BBB has already received more than 500 complaints against gold, silver and platinum dealers, a number that is well on its way to reaching 2010’s 581 total complaints.

“Consumers need to be on the lookout for not so reputable sellers,” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau. “Many of the complaints we receive stem from false advertising and delivery issues where the consumer ends up being appraised far less than what they thought their gold was worth.”

BBB recommends following these tips to ensure a “golden” gold transaction:

Find a trustworthy appraiser. For an appraisal, if possible, go to someone locally whom you know and trust. Always check with BBB first at www.bbb.org. BBB suggests obtaining two or three appraisals to compare prices, prior to any sale.

The true price of gold may not be what you receive. If gold is worth $1,700 per ounce, you aren’t going to be paid $1,700 for every ounce of gold you have. Ask what you will be paid (if an online company, make sure you ask for specifics and give details on items you’ll be sending). Understand that the ounce quote is for pure gold only. For instance, 14-karat gold is composed of just 58.5 per cent gold. Ask how much the company’s going rate is for each ounce of each karat you are sending. The lower the karat, the less the gold content.

Don’t let jewelry of different karat value be weighed together. Some dealers will weigh all jewelry together and pay you for the lowest karat value. Separate your jewelry by karat value before attending a gold party.

Don’t let anyone steal your diamonds from gold pieces. Single gold stud earrings might be worth $5 or $10, yet diamonds in the earrings can be saved. Some are too small, and the labor to remove them might exceed their value, but engagement ring diamonds, for example, should be given a value separate from the gold.

Know the terms and conditions when sending items by post. Make sure your items are insured when being shipped, so if they are lost you can recover the value. Obtain appraisals prior to mailing items, so if they are lost you have proof of their value. Check the company’s policy as to what they will reimburse if they lose your product. Many limit their liability. Make a list of the items included in the package, keep a copy for yourself, and put a copy in the envelope. Take a picture of the items you are sending, including any identifying marks.

Ask about the company’s guarantee if you are not satisfied with the price offered. Can you get your product back, if you return the check? Many companies melt down the items in 10–14 days. If you send the check back, send it “return receipt requested,” so you have proof when it arrived at the company.

Join us on September 16th - BBB Seminar - Advances In Technology, What Every Business Owner Should Know

9/6/2011

Posted on 9/6/2011 by

Advances In Technology, What Every Business Owner Should Know

Blockbuster,Borders, Nokia, Sony...The business landscape is littered with companies that failed to harness rapidly changing technologies. In today’s competitive industries, businesses must continuously find ways to retain current clients while honing an edge that makes them appealing to new customers. This is especially true in these tough economic times.

Learn what's happening in the tech world today, so your business will remain competitive tomorrow. Speaker James Kerr, CEO of SuperGeeks will share his insights and expertise on what every business owner should know.

Friday September 16^that 11am

1132 Bishop Street,Suite 611

Honolulu, HI. 96813

BBB Accredited Business – 25 dollars

Non-BBB Accredited Businesses – 35 dollars

Seats are limited for this event – Please call 808-628-3951 and reserve your seat.

Or email us if you have any questions.

The week's most popular tweets and links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter:

9/2/2011

Posted on 9/2/2011 by

The week's most popular tweets and links from Hawaii's BBB on Twitter:

Consumer Countdown: Willie Nelson, AT&T Mergers and More http://ow.ly/6kkc4

FDIC Consumer Alerts - August 30, 2011: E-mail Claiming to Be From the FDIC - August 30, 2011 the...1.usa.gov/p8GL2w

Junk mail in the trash is gold to ID thieves. Shred it before tossing it & register to reduce how much you get: http://ow.ly/6eaXk

Sprint raises early termination feeshttp://ow.ly/6iY7A

One Day’s Worth of Scam Callsbbb.org/blog/2011/08/o

Sprint raises early termination feeshttp://ow.ly/6iY7A

These Checks Are Realbbb.org/blog/2011/08/t

Wal-Mart’s Movie Download Service Continues to Growbbb.org/blog/2011/08/w

TechCrunched: The Week’s Top Tech News In 90 Seconds via @TechCrunch techcrunch.com/2011/08/27/tec

Free self-paced courses from @SBAgovSmall Business Training Network:bit.ly/6y9pbq

For scam alerts, information on BBB programs and services, business and consumer tips, and links to related resources, follow Hawaii’s BBB on Twitter.

“Shield” Yourself from a Cell Phone Radiation Scam

8/30/2011

Posted on 8/30/2011 by

“Shield” Yourself from a Cell Phone Radiation Scam

Scammers are always looking to make a quick buck, and with consumers concerned about harmful exposure to cell phone emissions, many scammers are looking to promote “shields” that can protect from the cancer causing waves. Better Business Bureau (BBB), along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are warning consumers to be on the lookout for these so-called “shields” and advising consumers to turn to free options when limiting exposure to cell phone electromagnetic emissions.

Like many other too good to be true products, there is no scientific proof that these shields are actually effective. While it is always good to protect yourself from potentially harmful emissions, there are other ways to do it besides investing in a shield for your cell phone. The FTC even notes that these so-called “shields” may even interfere with your cell phone’s reception.

“Leave it to scammers to jump on the latest scientific frenzy,” said Dwight Kealoha, president and CEO of Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau. “It’s important for consumers to do their research before investing in any too good to be true technology. More times than not, victims will end up with a faulty product that, in many cases, doesn’t actually do any good.”

BBB and the FTC advise consumers to consider these free options for limiting cell phone electromagnetic emissions:

Go hands free. When chatting on the phone for long periods of time consider using a hands-free device, like an earpiece, or using the speakerphone feature. For the short conversations, you may even want to consider just texting the message, which allows for a quick response and keeps the phone away from your head.

Wait for a good signal. When you have a weak signal, your phone works harder, emitting more radiation. Phones also give off more radiation when transmitting than when receiving, so tilt the phone away from your head when you’re talking, and bring it back to your ear when you’re listening.

Shop around. When looking for a new cell phone, consider investing in one that has a low specific absorption rate (SAR) before you buy. Measured in watts per kilogram of tissue, the SAR reveals how much radiation the body absorbs while using the mobile device. The FCC has record of this information for phones that were made in the last two years. You can find the FCC ID number on the inside of your cell phone’s case. Legally, in the US, a phone can’t emit more than 1.6 watts per kilogram.

For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.hawaii.bbb.org and for more tips specific to cell phone emission, visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt109.shtm.

Navy Annual Retired Seminar	Saturday November 5, 2011
West Hawaii PrimeTime Wellness Fair	Thursday November 10, 2011