Consumer/Business Services

Scammers Fake Facebook Account Cancellation Notices

Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A clever scam in the form of a fake Facebook account cancellation email is making the rounds. Don’t let the threat of losing your account trick you into installing malware on your computer.

Don't Get Rolled Over by a Paving Scam

Tue, 22 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin warns consumers to beware of asphalt paving scams. Unscrupulous contractors may offer bargain prices if the consumer pays in advance, but often leave the job unfinished or perform subpar work.

Thieves Steal Web Business Solutions' Name In Work-At-Home Scam, BBB Told

Tue, 22 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A St. Louis County business owner said Internet thieves stole the name of her company to get cash and personal information from job seekers in an elaborate work at home scheme, the BBB warns.

La BBB reconoce la Semana nacional de la pequeña empresa

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

La Better Business Bureau está estimulando a los propietarios de las pequeñas empresas que aprovechen los muchos recursos de la BBB y de la Comisión Federal de Comercio para las pequeñas empresas.

CFBAI Highlights Significant Progress in Child-Directed Food and Beverage Advertising

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Products advertised to children are now lower in calories, sugars, sodium and fats; that was the some of the progress under self-regulation reported at CDC’s Weight of the Nation conference today by Elaine Kolish, Director of the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) and Vice President at the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

In the News -- Smishing Is New Way to Scam Your Info

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Smishing scams send phishing messages by SMS text, reports Roni Proter of CW33-TV, Dallas - Fort Worth. BBB warns some fake texts appear to be from Walmart but aim to steal personal information.

BBB recognizes National Small Business Week

Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

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 Tips for Successful Mother’s Day Shopping

Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It’s almost Mother’s Day! Whether you are ordering flowers, shopping for custom jewelry, or arranging for a special spa day, 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 scam.

Memorial Day Scams Target Military, Families, Supporters

Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

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.

Protect Your Move and Yourself During National Moving Month

Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

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 of consumers who aren’t careful.

Basic Training for Your Money

Tue, 01 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Steve Repak left the Army in 1997 and was offered a job in finance, despite having $32,000 in credit card debt. His clients inspired him to get his finances in order.

GI Bill Restrictions Loom for For-Profit Schools

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Army Times reported that the father of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is fighting to preserve the benefit by proposing new restrictions on tuition payments to for-profit schools.

BBB Continues Warning on Independent Publisher of Yellow Pages Directories

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

BBB alerts businesses to mailings from Yellow Pages Directories, Carrollton, TX, an independent yellow pages publisher. Complaints allege the mailings are misleading about a "free" listing that can end up costing over $300 semi-annually.

BBB Study: Consumers Paying Scammers Thousands For Services They Can Do Themselves at No Cost

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Deeply indebted consumers are paying thousands of dollars to scammers to modify their credit reports, when they can do the same thing at little or no cost themselves, a BBB study reveals.

Top Tips to Get Your Finances in Order

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The FINRA National Financial Capability Study recently looked at the spending and saving habits of Americans and came up with some startling information.

Businesses Tell BBB: Open Business Directory Tricked Them To Buy Ads

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

St. Louis area businesses say Open Business Directory charged them for online ads they didn't want and did not intend to buy, the BBB warns.

AmEx's "Thanks for Updating Your Email" Messages are Fakes

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

American Express card holders beware! Scammers are using the credit card company's email address for a phishing scam. Consumers nationwide reported receiving fake emails informing them that their account's email address has been changed.

Hang up the Phone. Microsoft Doesn't Need to Fix Your Computer.

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Have you received a call from Microsoft claiming that errors or warnings have been found on your account? If so, it's a scam.

Ignore that Text! You Didn't Win a Walmart Gift Card

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Cell phone users across the country are receiving suspicious text messages that claim to be from Walmart. The texts tell consumers they won a free gift card... and all they have to do is click a link and enter some information.

Severe Weather Warning Issued for Central Texas, BBB Warns of Weather-Related Scams

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A strong storm system is making its way toward Central Texas, expectedly bringing with it severe storms and heavy, flooding rainfall. The National Weather Service predicts damaging winds, hail, torrential downpours and isolated tornados are all possible.

Watch out for Tricky Leprechauns and Imposters this St. Patrick’s Day

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

With most holidays, sporting events and disasters, scammers use these opportunities to target consumers and lure them into their schemes. As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Better Business Bureau reminds consumers to be suspicious of sweepstakes winnings claims.

Enterprise Programs, Administrative Assistant

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Provide support to the CBBB’s Enterprise Programs, which include a National Partner program, an auto warranty program (BBB AUTO LINE), a financial education program for military families (BBB Military Line), a dispute program for U.S. companies that receive data from the European Union (BBB EU SAFE HARBOR), and an advertising self regulation program for food and restaurant companies that advertise to children (the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative).

BBB Tips on Debris Removal

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

No matter what state you live in, the type of debris you will encounter will be much the same: damaged buildings, downed trees, building materials, and household and other types of hazardous waste. What varies is the way in which each state disposes of the debris.

Hiring a Tree Service After a Disaster

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Better Business Bureau reminds those who experience storm damage to take certain precautions when hiring a tree service.

National Consumer Protection Week – 7 Days, 7 Tips, 1 Smart Consumer

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

BBB is offering savvy consumers seven important tips to celebrate the 14th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Sign-up to receive a BBB tip a day on the latest consumer topics.

BBB Advice for Avoiding a Moving Scam

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Following a few simple rules when selecting a mover will go a long way toward protecting yourself from being victimized by scams this moving season.

Complaints Down, But Huge Jump in Inquiries Means Shoppers Are Doing Their Homework

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Consumer savvy, smart shopping and common sense all had a great year. 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.

Múdese en la temporada de mudanzas con confianza, Asesoría de BBB para evitar una estafa durante la mudanza

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Siga estas sencillas reglas al seleccionar una compañía de mudanzas que lo protegerá de ser víctima de estafadores esta temporada de mudanzas. Better Business Bureau y American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA, por sus siglas en inglés) le recomiendan que preste mucha atención antes de seleccionar una compañía de mudanzas.

Semana nacional de protección al consumidor, 7 días, 7 sugerencias, 1 consumidor inteligente

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

BBB le ofrece a los consumidores sabios siete sugerencias importantes para celebrar la 14.ª Semana nacional de protección al consumidor (National Consumer Protection Week, NCPW). Regístrese aquí para recibir una sugerencia diaria de BBB al sobre los temas más recientes para el consumidor.