Right at Home

SCAM ALERT: Text Messages That Cost You!

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Recently there have been reports of unwanted SMS (Short Message Service) texts showing up on cell phones, and the recipient being billed for them.

CONSUMER ALERT - Door-To-Door Salesman wearing BBB Logo

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

An individual in the Kalamazoo area is making door-to-door sales with a BBB Logo on his jacket and wanting to install high efficient light bulbs and shower heads. THE BBB DOES NOT SOLICIT DOOR TO DOOR and this individual has no connection with the Better Business Bureau.

Google Sends Mass Email to All Gmail Users

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 05:00:00 GMT

If you have a gmail account, you probably received an email from Google recently informing about the settlement reached in the class action lawsuit regarding Google Buzz.

Web site Offers Tips and Guidelines for Natural Disaster Awareness

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT

The disaster in Chile this past weekend has shown

Looking for a New Bank? These Web sites Help You Find the Best Option

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Looking for a New Bank? These Web sites Help You Find the Best Option

Sallie Mae Sued Over Alleged Auto-Dialer Calls

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Sallie Mae Sued Over Alleged Auto-Dialer Calls

Timeshare Scams Could Cost You $5k

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Timeshare Scams Could Cost You $5k

Buying a New TV for the Super Bowl: Plasma or LCD?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Buying a New TV for the Super Bowl: Plasma or LCD?

How Potential Employees May Use the Web to Write Fake Resumes

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

How Potential Employees May Use the Web to Write Fake Resumes

D.C. Metro To Increase Fares By 10 Cents

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

D.C. Metro To Increase Fares By 10 Cents

New Credit Card Act Will Teach College Students Financial Responsibility

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

New Credit Card Act Will Teach College Students Financial Responsibility

Are You Prepared for the DTV Conversion? BBB and National Association of Broadcasters answer frequently asked questions on the switch to DTV

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

As a result of ubiquitous TV ads and a well-executed PR campaign, consumer awareness of the nationwide transition to digital television is rising steadily. Despite widespread awareness, many homes are still unprepared for the switch. Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Broadcasters are offering answers to questions surrounding the transition.

BBB Advice on Going Green this Holiday Season

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Bing Crosby may have dreamed of a white Christmas but as many Americans adjust their lifestyles to become more environmentally friendly, some will be looking forward to a green Christmas this year. Your Better Business Bureau has advice to help families go green this holiday season and maybe even save some green in the process.

BBB Checklist for Winterizing Your Home

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

With a tough economy looming like the Grinch over this year’s holiday season, many people are looking for ways to ensure their homes are ready for the cold winter months in an effort to save money through energy efficiency. Your Better Business Bureau is offering a checklist for homeowners to safely prepare their homes for winter and perhaps save a few dollars in the process.

BBB Small Business Advice on Health Savings Accounts

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Rising healthcare costs are forcing small business owners to decide whether or not they can afford to provide health coverage for their employees. Some employers are choosing to contribute to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for employees as an alternative to paying for health insurance, and Better Business Bureau is providing guidance for small business owners on whether HSAs could be a viable option for their company.

BBB on Making a Trade-In on a House

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 GMT

With a glut of houses on their hands, builders are resorting to creative tactics to entice prospective home buyers. One tactic builders are using now is the offer of a new house with a trade-in for the owner’s existing home.

BBB Financial Advice for College Bound Students (and Their Parents)

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT

To help college bound students build a foundation of sound financial habits, Better Business Bureau offers the following advice for parents to bestow on their freshman.

BBB Advice on Determining When to Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Professional

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Spring is the season of warmer weather, budding flowers and home improvements. Whether it’s hanging new wallpaper or adding an addition to the house, many homeowners are faced with the decision to either hire a professional or do it themselves. Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers advice for determining whether a home improvement project is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) or a get-a-professional job.

BBB Advice on Hiring Contractors for Home Improvements and Remodeling

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT

With the National Association of Realtors' reporting current pending home sales down 21.4 percent from the first quarter of 2007, and Standard & Poor’s citing the steepest decline in home values in the 20-year history of its housing index, many homeowners are now choosing to remodel their current home rather than selling in an effort to hold home values in the turbulent U.S. housing market. To execute the strategy successfully, most projects require professional help and Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering advice and guidance on finding trustworthy contractors who can help make the strategy pay off.

BBB on Money-saving Home Improvements through Energy Efficiency

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The U.S. average cost per gallon of gasoline is at an all-time high of more than $3.60 per gallon, and headed toward $4.00 by summer. Increased energy costs are taking a toll on the nation not only at the pump, but also in homes. Even natural gas, long seen as the cheap alternative to petroleum products is creeping toward $11.00 per thousand cubic feet (MCF) – in a $4.00 gasoline environment, consumers are likely to see natural gas selling for the equivalent of about $2.00 per gallon. For people wanting to cut energy costs around the house, Better Business Bureau (BBB) has advice on home improvements that can take a bite out of the energy bill.

Consumers Sound off to BBB with Complaints on Tax Preparers: Most common complaints against tax preparers are about errors and mistakes made in tax returns

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

According to a Better Business Bureau (BBB) analysis, nearly one-third (32.5 percent) of complaints against tax preparation companies allege that the preparer made an error or mistake in the tax return, often requiring the consumer to pay fines or added fees to rectify the problem.

Tax Breaks You Don’t Want to Miss Out On

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Perhaps the only exciting part of filing taxes is finding out whether you are due for a big tax refund from the IRS. Making sure you get every cent coming to you can take a lot of time and effort, and Better Business Bureau wants taxpayers to be aware of some commonly missed tax breaks that could translate into more money in your wallet this spring.

Your Credit Score is Going to Change – FICO 08 is Coming!

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The way consumer credit scores are calculated will be changing soon. In early spring, The Fair Isaac Corp. – creator of the FICO score – will be unveiling a new scoring model for determining credit scores, dubbed FICO 08. While the Fair Isaac Corp. is keeping their methodology for determining credit scores under wraps, Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering a few details and advising consumers on how FICO 08 could affect them in ways they may not have imagined.

New Year’s Resolution: Get out of Debt! :BBB offers consumers facing mortgage and credit crunch issues practical advice on managing debt

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Nearly 75 percent of Americans envision themselves debt-free, excluding mortgages, at some point in their lives according to a recent survey by LendingTree, but only half said they have a plan for how to get there. If your New Year’s Resolutions include getting out of debt, Better Business Bureau has advice to help you achieve that goal.

BBB Announces First-Ever Series of “How-To” Books: “BBB Insiders’ Guides” provide trustworthy advice on how to buy a home, launch an eBay business and start up a franchise

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced today the launch of the first-ever line of “how-to” books to carry the trusted Better Business Bureau name. “BBB Insiders’ Guides” are easy to follow – packed with checklists, worksheets, and “Quick Tips” – and provide the same reliable advice the public has come to expect from BBB for nearly a century.

FTC - Sorting Out "Green" Advertising Claims

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Grocery shelves, hardware stores, card shops, and other retail operations are filled with products and packages announcing environmental features that may influence your purchasing decisions. But when it comes to products and packaging, what do claims like "environmentally safe," "recyclable," "degradable" or "ozone friendly" really mean? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) want you to know. The FTC, in cooperation with the EPA, has developed guidelines for adv

FTC - Deceptive Mortgage Ads: What They Say; What They Leave Out

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking for a mortgage to buy a home or refinance an existing loan, you may see or hear ads with offers of low rates or payments. Whether you see them on the Internet, on television or in the paper, or whether they come by fax or mail, some of these ads look like they’re from your mortgage company or a government agency. Regardless of where you see the ads, remember that while the offers are tempting, some are terribly flawed: they don’t disclose the true terms of the deal as the law requires.

BBB Warns Consumers of Nationwide Locksmith Swindle :You may have been a victim and not even know it

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Better Business Bureau (BBB) today is warning consumers to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies that are ripping off consumers across the country. Victim complaints to BBB reveal that several locksmith companies, all using similar methods, are significantly overcharging consumers, charging consumers for unnecessary services, using intimidation tactics, and failing to give refunds or respond to consumer complaints.

FTC - Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here's What to Do

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:00:00 GMT

The possibility of losing your home because you can't make the mortgage payments can be terrifying. Perhaps you are one of the many consumers who took out a mortgage that had a fixed rate for the first two or three years and then had an adjustable rate. Or maybe you're anticipating an adjustment, and want to know what your payments will be and whether you'll be able to make them. Or maybe you're having trouble making ends meet because of an unrelated financial crisis.

FTC - Buying a Home: It’s a Big Deal

Tue, 01 May 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Whether you’re shopping for appliances or automobiles, groceries or gadgets, travel services or tax preparers, the Internet has changed the way most people gather information about products and services.

FTC - Rindiendo Honores: Sus Derechos al Momento de Comprar Artículos y Servicios para Funerales

Tue, 01 May 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Cuando muere un ser querido, la familia y amigos en duelo a menudo se confrontan con docenas de decisiones respecto al funeral que tienen que tomarse rápidamente y con frecuencia, bajo una gran presión emocional.

FTC - Avoiding Home Equity Scams

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC — You could lose your home and your money if you borrow from unscrupulous lenders who offer you a high-cost loan based on the equity you have in your home. Certain lenders target homeowners who are elderly or who have low incomes or credit problems — and then try to take advantage of them by using deceptive practices. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, cautions all homeowners to be on the lookout for:

FTC - Home Equity Credit Lines

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Using a credit line to borrow against the equity in your home has become a popular source of consumer credit. And lenders are offering these home equity credit lines in a variety of ways.

FTC - Shopping For a Mortgage? Your Application May Trigger Competing Offers

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

FTC - Shopping For a Mortgage? Your Application May Trigger Competing Offers

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

If you apply for a mortgage, your inbox, answering machine, and mailbox may fill up quickly with competing offers from other mortgage companies. It’s not that the company you applied to is selling or sharing your information. Rather, it’s that creditors – including mortgage companies – are taking advantage of a federal law that allows them to identify potential customers for the products they offer, and then market to them.

FTC - Selling Your Home? Tips for Selecting a Real Estate Professional

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 05:00:00 GMT

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may be considering using the services of a real estate broker or agent. But before you sign a listing agreement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency that works for a competitive marketplace, wants you to be informed about your choices.

FTC - "Gas-Saving" Products: Fact or Fuelishness?

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Gas prices are up, and so is the volume of advertising for "gas-saving" products. When gasoline prices rise, consumers often look for ways to improve fuel efficiency. Although there are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns you to be wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to work, the savings have been small.

FTC - ‘Free Government Grants’: Don’t Take Them For Grant-ed

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 05:00:00 GMT

“Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a free $12,500 government grant! To get your grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will direct-deposit the grant into your bank account!”

FTC - Keeping Laptops from Getting Lost or Stolen

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 05:00:00 GMT

A laptop computer defines convenience and mobility. It enables you to work from home, a hotel room, a conference hall, or a coffee shop.

FTC - Keeping Laptops from Getting Lost or Stolen

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 05:00:00 GMT

A laptop computer defines convenience and mobility. It enables you to work from home, a hotel room, a conference hall, or a coffee shop.

FTC - VoIP: It’s A Phone, It’s a Computer, It’s ...

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Voice over Internet Protocol — VoIP — is one way people are making and receiving telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection rather than a regular phone line. VoIP converts your phone call — actually, the voice signal from your phone — into a digital signal that travels through the Internet to the person you are calling. If you are calling a plain old telephone number, the signal is converted back at the other end. If you’re comfortable with new technology, you may want to learn more about VoIP. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, suggests that it’s smart to do some research on this technology before signing up for it.

FTC - At-Home Genetic Tests: A Healthy Dose of Skepticism May Be the Best Prescription

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Could a simple medical test tell you if you are likely to get a particular disease? Could it evaluate your health risks and even suggest a specific treatment? Could you take this test in the privacy of your home, without a doctor’s prescription or guidance?

FTC - Financial Readiness: As Critical as Fully Charged Batteries

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Home is where most people feel safe and comfortable. But sometimes — say, when a hurricane, flood, tornado, wildfire, or other disaster strikes — it’s safest to pack up and go to another location.

FTC - How to Be the Class ‘Value-dictorian’

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:00:00 GMT

‘Tis the season for exams, commencements, and a renewed focus on the future. But when it comes to dealing in the marketplace, everyone has the potential to be a value-dictorian. Before spending your hard-earned money, ask questions, do your homework, and speak up.

FTC - Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:00:00 GMT

You’ve probably learned a long list of important safety and privacy lessons already: Look both ways before crossing the street; buckle up; hide your diary where your nosy brother can’t find it; don’t talk to strangers.

FTC - Video Games: Reading the Ratings on the Games People Play

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Video and computer games are popular among people of all ages. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 83 percent of children aged 8 to 18 live in homes with a video game console, and that 40 percent of them have the console in their bedroom.

FTC - Building a Better Credit Report

Mon, 01 May 2006 05:00:00 GMT

If you've ever applied for a credit card, a personal loan, or insurance, there's a file about you. This file is known as your credit report. It is chock full of information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses with a legitimate need for it. They use the information to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or a lease.

FTC - Credit Scoring

Mon, 01 May 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Ever wonder how a creditor decides whether to grant you credit? For years, creditors have been using credit scoring systems to determine if you’d be a good risk for credit cards and auto loans. More recently, credit scoring has been used to help creditors evaluate your ability to repay home mortgage loans. Here’s how credit scoring works in helping decide who gets credit — and why.

FTC - How to Dispute Credit Report Errors

Mon, 01 May 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Your credit report contains information about where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies.

FTC - Negative Credit Can Squeeze a Job Search

Mon, 01 May 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Bad credit can affect your ability to get more credit. Did you know it also can affect your ability to get or keep a job? Employers often use a credit report when they hire and evaluate employees for promotion, reassignment, or retention.

FTC - Getting Credit When You’re Over 62

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Credit is an important money management tool for both young and older consumers. Yet the elderly, particularly older women, may find it difficult to get credit.

FTC - Consejos para viajar: Cómo prepararse para un viaje excelente

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:00:00 GMT

Ya sea un viaje turístico, a un centro de esquí, o a tomar sol en la playa, vale la pena estar bien informado. Para ayudarle a evitar la frustración de las vacaciones, la Comisión Federal de Comercio (Federal Trade Commission, FTC), la agencia nacional de protección del consumidor, ofrece estos consejos:

FTC - Consejos para viajar: Cómo prepararse para un viaje excelente

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:00:00 GMT