http://snake-river.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=17&id=a824b759-3137-43b5-aedf-a38056bcce73&debug=False 10 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 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 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT Gavin Gee, director of the Idaho Department of Finance, said the unlicensed lenders that were ordered to stop making illegal online payday loans targeted their Idaho victims from distant locations throughout the world, including the West Indies, New Zealand, Canada, and Belize. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/unlicensed-internet-payday-lenders-ordered-to-stop-doing-business-in-idaho-40890 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT Your BBB office has received random faxes addressed to our president from a company called "Small Business Debt Relief Program" with a web site of www.sbdrp.org and a toll-free # of 888-310-8666 stating that "you may be eligible for an estimated $39,120.44 in debt relief through our small business hardship program." http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/unsolicited-fax-from-a-debt-relief-program-creates-a-warning-throughout-the-region-40851 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:00:00 GMT Consumer Inquiries Up 20%, Instances of Service Top 180 Million for Oldest Consumer Rating and Review Organization http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/in-its-100th-year-better-business-bureau-breaks-all-records-for-consumer-services--40630 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 06:00:00 GMT Arlene’s phone rang at her Parker residence for a third time, and the same voice was on the phone. “The first time he identified himself as being with the FBI,” she says. She described the details of the heavy accented voice on the other end of the line. “My husband answered the first time, and he could barely understand what the man was saying.” http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/publishers-clearing-house-calls-its-a-scam-40568 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is March 3-9, and government organizations and nonprofits across the country are offering consumers a wealth of tips and information. http://snake-river.bbb.org/article/national-consumer-protection-week--sign-up-for-a-tip-a-day-40149