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03/12/2010
Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to use caution when doing business with an Omaha company called “All Can Succeed,” a door to door magazine solicitation company. BBB President Jim Hegarty stated, “This is an industry that has been problematic from coast to coast. In the last 12 months alone, BBBs have taken over 1,100 complaints from consumers in 46 states and the District of Columbia against more than 50 companies that are selling magazines door-to-door.”
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03/11/2010
The BBB is partnering with the census and advises: The 2010 Census may have you wondering whom you can trust. The census is easy, important and safe – just fill out your form and mail it back – but if you don’t mail it back, a census taker will knock on your door. Here are tips to help you identify a census taker. They will have an official badge, shoulder bag, and confidentiality document. If you ask, they will give you a phone number to their local census office. They will ask just 10 questions, but they will never ask for social security, bank account, or credit card numbers. Learn more at 2010census.gov.
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03/03/2010
In a tough economy, struggling families look for ways to reduce their expenses. One popular option is to unload any timeshares so they can recoup their investment and stop paying maintenance fees. Many businesses specialize in reselling timeshares, but the Better Business Bureau warns that some companies are using deceptive sales tactics to bilk thousands from already cash-strapped timeshare owners.
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03/03/2010
March 7 is the kickoff to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and the Better Business Bureau is a proud supporter of this nationwide effort to educate the public on how to become savvier consumers. For anyone looking for advice on how to spend money wisely, your Better Business Bureau is here to help, not just during National Consumer Protection Week but all year long.
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03/03/2010
Every ten years the US federal government is required to count every man woman and child in the country. Not surprisingly, the census is a massive undertaking requiring the work of more than a million people to accurately count the hundreds of millions of people living in the country. Contrary to the myths, participation in the census is extremely safe and easy, and the Better Business Bureau encourages everyone to take a few minutes to fill out their census form when it arrives in the mail in March.
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03/03/2010
While the volume of data breaches declined in 2009, data breaches at businesses - as opposed to the government or non-profit sector - are on the rise. The Better Business Bureau recommends that small business owners take steps to protect their data and also develop a plan of action in order to react quickly and reduce the damage if a data breach does occur.
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02/18/2010
BlueHippo – it was a catchy name and a great logo. You might have been okay buying their coffee mug or even the boxer shorts they peddled on their website. But the company’s primary business was selling computers and other electronic equipment over the Internet to people with low incomes and impaired credit. If you were one of those customers, you’re probably still regretting it.
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02/02/2010
Most Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes this year. The Better Business Bureau encourages taxpayers to use caution when selecting tax preparation help or they may get hit with headaches and mounting fines and fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late.
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02/02/2010
Credit card holders can circle February 22 on their calendar as the day when new consumer protections laid out in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 kick in. The Better Business Bureau explains what these new consumer protections mean to cardholders across the U.S.
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02/02/2010
The popularity of social networking continues to grow among kids. Social networking sites can provide a secure way for kids to connect with each other, but they can also be exploited for any number of nefarious purposes. The Better Business Bureau recommends parents take specific steps to keep their kids safe online.
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02/02/2010
Online banking has made it easier and more convenient to manage business finances, but it also provides an opportunity for hackers to gain access to business accounts with the goal of making unauthorized money transfers. The Better Business Bureau recommends small business owners implement a few simple steps to keep their financial information and transactions secure when banking online.
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02/01/2010
Grand Rapids, MI - February 1, 2010 – The Better Business Bureau warns that a new scam is fraudulently using the organization’s name in order to steal tens of thousands of dollars from victims who are led to believe they have won a lottery. So far, one victim has lost $80,000 to scammers posing as BBB employees.
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01/13/2010
January 13, 2010 – Grand Rapids, MI – As immediate relief needs are assessed in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a charity. The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan warns that - as occurred following the tsunami in 2004 and Katrina in 2005 - fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Americans.
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01/12/2010
Top 10 Scams, Rip-Offs, Inquiries and Complaints for 2009
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01/06/2010
Free trial offers and scams that take advantage of tough economic times dominate the list.
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