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05/14/2012
As temperatures start to warm up, bugs and other pests will attempt to seek shelter in homes and office buildings. Better Business Bureau reports an increase in inquiries for pest control services during the months of May, June and July. So when the pest control job gets too big for a flyswatter, mousetrap or do-it-yourself spray, it could be time to call in a professional.
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05/10/2012
Memorial Day Scams Target Military, Families, Supporters
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 organi
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05/10/2012
BBB Tips for Successful Mother’s Day Shopping
It’s almost Mother’s Day! Whether you are ordering flowers, shopping for custom jewelry, or arranging for a special spa day appointments for the wonderful women in their life, be a smart consumer. BBB sees lots of scams that focus on holiday shopping, and is warning consumers to proceed with caution before falling victim to a Mother’s Day vender scam, especially when shopping online.
BBB urges consumers to take extra precaution with placing floral orders, especially online. “Not all online florists are the same,” says Rosemary Nye, spokesperson for the local Better Business Bureau. “While some people are extremely happy with their online floral purchases, others find themselves disappointed when the flowers don’t arrive on time, or don’t arrive at all.” In 2011, more than 96,000 consumers searched for trustworthy florists on www.bbb.org. Most major floral delivery services are BBB Accredited Businesses, as are more than 500 local f
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05/10/2012
YouBBB Advice for Hiring a Roofing Contractor You Can Trust
Natural disasters like tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes can bring out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, crises also bring out persons who choose to take advantage of the victims. Some of the most common "after-disaster" scams involve damage done to roofs.
Whether your roof got hit hard by a natural disaster or just needs to be replaced due to time, you need to take certain precautions when it comes to hiring a roofing contractor. In 2011, BBB received more than 3.3 million inquiries from consumers looking to find a roofer they could trust – making it the top inquired industry in the BBB system.
BBB offers the following tips to homeowners who suffer roof damage in the wake of a natural disaster:
Do your research. Check with your insurance company about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts if temporary roofing repairs are necessary
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05/10/2012
Along With Mom, BBB Knows Best When it Comes to Shopping
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05/08/2012
Protect Your Move and Yourself During National Moving Month
May 2, 2012 – Arlington, VA - May is National Moving Month and the start of the busiest time of year for changing residencies…which means unlicensed movers and dishonest scammers are waiting to take advantage consumers who aren’t careful.
In 2011, BBB received more than 1.3 million moving related inquiries and more than 9,000 complaints against movers. Complaints include lost or stolen belongings, damaged items, huge price increases over quoted estimates, late deliveries, and goods being “held hostage” for additional payment.
BBB has teamed up with American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) to offer tips on how to select the right mover and how to avoid the scams.
"Finding a mover you can trust can be easy, if you take the time to do so,” said Rosemary Nye, President & CEO of the local Better Business Bureau. "Consumers need to make sure to always check with BBB and AMSA before you find yourself paying thousands
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05/08/2012
BBB recognizes National Small Business Week
May 20-26 is National Small Business Week and a time to celebrate the growing business demographic in our country. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the backbone of the U.S. economy: 60 to 80 percent of the new jobs in the country are created by the approximately 27.2 million small businesses in the U.S. It is estimated that over half of Americans either own or work for a small business. In honor of National Small Business Week, Better Business Bureau is encouraging small business owners to take advantage of the many resources for small businesses from BBB and from the Federal Trade Commission:
BBB Code of Business Practices
The BBB Code of Business Practices represents sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence in business. Even for businesses that are not BBB Accredited, this Code should be a roadmap for creating and managing an ethical business.
BBB Code of Adver
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04/26/2012
Over the last several years, the volume of inquiries into door-to-door alarm sales companies has spiked and summer is normally when the door-to-door alarm companies are hitting the pavement hard. The BBB still expects an increase in door-to-door activity as the summer approaches because many companies use students on their summer break from school to conduct door-to-door sales.
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04/26/2012
For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer.
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04/26/2012
The Austin City Council is holding a public hearing today to consider a new ordinance which would put tighter restrictions on where payday and auto loan lenders can do business.
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04/25/2012
The BBB serving Southwest Missouri held its ninth shredding event Saturday April 21, which invited the public to bring unwanted sensitive material to be shredded safely. Nearly 600 cars turned out for the event, held at the Great Southern Bank Operations Center parking lot.
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04/20/2012
Nowadays, it is hard for consumers to go shopping without being bombarded with products advertised as “environmentally safe,” “degradable” and “ozone friendly,” but how does a consumer have confidence in a product or service advertising itself as “green?”
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04/20/2012
Celebrating National Look-A-Like Day might be fun but it can also be dangerous. Make sure what you are looking at is the real thing and not the imitation.
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04/18/2012
Do you spend weeks each spring eagerly anticipating your income tax refund? When the money finally comes in, is it gone tomorrow? You’re not alone. Many consumers view tax refunds as unplanned bonuses, but it makes more sense to plan for that new chunk of change so it doesn’t go to waste.
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04/13/2012
During Financial Literacy Month in April, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona reminds consumers to keep track of their credit, debt and sensitive financial documents.
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