http://snake-river.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=17&id=facf8c58-4946-42d7-a529-5a6de0577626&debug=False&tag=site=17&bbb=1056&firm=5000329 10 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT With an estimated 136 million Americans going on at least one vacation this summer, safety and security precautions are a must. Proactive measures can help consumers keep their home safe from fire, carbon monoxide, and the threat of burglary while they are away. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/summer-smarts-keep-your-home-safe-while-you-are-away-42274 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) today announced efforts to promote awareness of scams that target seniors. June 15th is the United Nations-designated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/elder-abuse-awareness-day-western-union-and-better-business-bureau-promote-fraud-awareness-on-un-observance-42461 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT A fake car sales company, Astoria Motors, address unknown, was using the company's physical address to trick shoppers into thinking the cars on Maverick's lot were representative inventory. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/boise-car-dealers-address-carjackedtips-to-avoid-being-taken-for-a-ride-42422 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT Is Dad an adventure seeker? Is he up for the thrill of skydiving, whitewater rafting or other exciting adventures? How about golf lessons, a fishing trip, or a wilderness experience? With Father's Day on Sunday, June 16, Better Business Bureau is recommending that shoppers consider the fine print before purchasing high adventure activities or gift certificates for Dad. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/fathers-day-advice-be-smart-about-adventure-packages-42273 Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT A Saginaw, Michigan company paid a $15,000 civil penalty to resolve allegations that its direct-mail ads violated the Idaho Consumer Protection Act, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/corporate-minutes-preparation-service-pays-15000-civil-penalty-42366 Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT Treasure Valley business are reporting being contacted by a company to support Bronco football by advertising on the Boise State Posters. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/spirit-publications-illegally-selling-bsu-football-advertising-42358 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT Before you finalize your vacation plans, be sure you have given careful thought to whether you need to purchase travel insurance. There are circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/is-travel-insurance-right-for-you-42272 Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT Arizona sales crew makes way through Treasure Valley this past week http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/prepare-for-door-to-door-magazine-sales-boise-man-falls-for-pitch-42169 Tue, 28 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT The United States Courts Ransomware is a computer virus that displays a lock screen that prevents you from using your Windows desktop until you pay a ransom. This virus, showing up in the past week in western Idaho, is similar to the Reveton virus, which locked up computers last year. In the Reveton Virus, it was the FBI that allegedly had taken control of the computer. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/united-states-courts-hijacks-your-computer-malware-demands-ransom-42152 Mon, 27 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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? http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/how-to-claim-your-unclaimed-property-41685 Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma yesterday, and in north Texas last week, Better Business Bureau and BBB Wise Giving Alliance have issued tips to help donors make smart giving decisions and to avoid scams. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/better-business-bureau-urges-donor-caution-after-tornadoes-42007 Mon, 20 May 2013 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. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/beware-of-memorial-day-scams-aimed-at-military-personnel-41684 Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/solar-panels--make-it-a-sunny-decision-41682 Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT The rescue this week of three women and a child from a Cleveland home where they were held captive for a decade has gained worldwide attention. Generous donors wishing to help the victims are being cautioned by Better Business Bureau to confirm the legitimacy of all charitable fundraising and crowdfunding efforts. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/bbb-cautions-on-fundraising-to-assist-cleveland-kidnap-victims-41844 Thu, 09 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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) http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/fbi-issues-cyber-security-advisory-that-could-impact-all-users-of-microsoft-explorer-8-41831 Mon, 06 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/make-sure-moms-flowers-arrive-on-time-and-looking-beautiful-41680 Thu, 02 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT May is National Moving Month: BBB and AMSA Offer Tips for Safe, Secure Move http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/moving-scams-still-a-problem-for-many--41667 Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT Record management employees from Western Records Destruction and Cintas were on hand to take boxes and bags of sensitive documents, more than 33,510 pounds of material was shredded on site. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/secure-your-id-shred-events-brings-in-tons-across-snake-river-region-41699 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Beware of Green Dot MoneyPak Scams! Your BBB wants to remind you to beware of scammers using the Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid cards you can purchase at local stores. Using a prepaid card is a convenient way to pay bills online without threat of risk to your bank account. But scammers have found a way to get that money from you too! Green Dot spokesman states, “Fraudsters will call or email you saying that you won a lottery or can buy discount merchandise at their phony websites – but you need to pay fees to get your prize or purchase that merchandise via MoneyPak – and only MoneyPak, then they ask for the 14-digit code.” Once you have given them that code – the crooks can then transfer your MoneyPak funds to their own prepaid cards. MoneyPak offers these 7 tips to help protect you from fraud! 1. Never give your MoneyPak number to someone you don’t know. 2. Never give receipt information about your MoneyPak purchase to another party. 3. Use your MoneyPak only to reload your prepaid http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/beware-of-green-dot-moneypak-scams-41511 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/top-five-tips-for-mobile-banking-41170 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Although the temperatures are still low, spring has arrived and it is a good time to rid your home of the clutter and paperwork you have accumulated over the past year. However, when it comes to reviewing your financial records, it is important to know what to keep, what to discard, and when. The Better Business Bureau serving Snake River Region (BBB) offers advice on how to safely clear your clutter. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/bbb-free-shredding-event-and-what-paperwork-to-keep-when-spring-cleaning-41036 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-of-charity-scams-offers-giving-tips-in-wake-of-boston-marathon-bombing-41370 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT 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 BBB for information on pest control services. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/getting-bugged-make-sure-your-pest-management-is-handled-by-a-pro-41281 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Consumers are getting more robocalls than ever. Technology is to blame for increase. Companies are using autodialers that can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low-cost. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/pesky-robocalls-will-not-stop-what-can-i-do-41327 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT AYPR Inc. claims to publish a business directory and attempts to charge businesses for being listed or featured in that directory. However, in many schemes of this nature, businesses are tricked into paying for services they weren’t interested in or something for which they didn’t know they would be charged. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/bbb-says-bogus-bills-from-aypr-inc-should-be-returned-to-sender-41308 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Buying on the secondary market can be useful for non-season ticket holders, occasional fans, or those making a last-minute decision to head to the ball park. But how do you know if the tickets are real? http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/take-me-out-to-the-ballgameand-dont-get-taken-41168 Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT These text messages – “smishing” – are not from legitimate companies, but from scammers hoping to lure you into revealing your bank account, debit, or credit card numbers. SMiShing is basically phishing scams sent over Short Message Service (SMS) text messages. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/us-bank-will-not-block-your-debit-card-by-text-message-smishing-40984 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT Motor vehicle collisions and other auto-related mishaps result in billions of dollars in property damage, medical and legal bills and lost income every year. Car owners need to protect their vehicle and themselves with auto insurance, but how do you know if you are properly covered? http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/get-the-most-from-your-auto-insurance-40634 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT Cell phone users are increasingly turning to Bluetooth technology to talk - hands free - on their phones. But as this high tech tool gains popularity in the US and Canada, scammers are finding ways to exploit it. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/use-bluetooth-protect-yourself-from-hacking-scams--40972