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05/10/12:
Memorial Day Scams Target Military, Families,Supporters
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Memorial Day is a time tohonor those who serve and remember those who have died in war. But sadly, ithas also become a key opportunity for scammers to target those who are servingor have served their nation, especially elderly veterans. BBB is urging...
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05/10/12:
Memorial Day Scams Target Military, Families,Supporters
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Memorial Day is a time tohonor those who serve and remember those who have died in war. But sadly, ithas also become a key opportunity for scammers to target those who are servingor have served their nation, especially elderly veterans. BBB is urging...
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05/03/12:
New Phishing Scam Hurts Small Businesses
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When a small plumbing company in Monroe, Louisiana, got an email yesterday from BBB saying they’d had a complaint filed against them, they took it seriously. After all, the company is a BBB Accredited Business and the owner serves on the board of dir...
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02/24/12:
BBB Fake Emails Continue to Pile Up
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Businesses and consumers across the country have been hit by an on-going email scam that appears to be from the Better Business Bureau. The fake emails started in November, and have changed forms a number of times. Most of them include a virus – if t...
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02/17/12:
New Scam Uses BBB.org Email Address
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Consumers nationwide are reporting a new round of phishing email scams using the BBB name and email address, this time targeted at accountants.
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12/20/11:
New Advice for Recipients of BBB Complaint Email Scam
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Arlington, Virginia – An email scam using the Better Business Bureau’s name and logo continues to proliferate across North America, and even to some overseas addresses. Most of the emails carry the famous BBB torch logo and come with the subject line...
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12/13/11:
Penny Auctions Can Cost Consumers Hundreds
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AUSTIN, Texas - Dec. 13, 2011 — With the promise of high-end items at a 95 percent reduction in price, many consumers have been lured to penny auction sites and ended up losing hundreds of dollars, Better Business Bureau
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11/29/11:
BBB Holiday Hints for Smarter Spending
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Shop or donate online only on sites that use technology that encrypts your personal and financial information before sending it for payment processing. Encrypting sensitive information makes it inaccessible to anyone outside the system.
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10/27/11:
Strange email from StubHub? It's a scam.
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Consumers across the country are reporting scam emails that appear to be from ticket company StubHub. The emails try to lure recipients into sharing credit card information by falsely alerting consumers they are being charged for expensive boxing tic...
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04/12/10:
BBB Makes Spring Cleaning Safer with "Secure Your ID" Day
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April 12, 2010 – Arlington, VA - Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced today a nationwide “Secure Your ID” Day to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Individuals and small businesses are encouraged to stop at one of...
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04/12/10:
Census Safety Advice
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The 2010 Census is underway and you may be wondering about whom you can trust. The Census is easy, important, and safe — just fill out your form and mail it back.
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04/06/10:
Citizens Contact BBB with Safety Fears About Lengthy Census Form
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Arlington, VA – April 6, 2010 – Better Business Bureau has received calls from concerned people across the country who received a Census form in the mail that asked personal questions involving their income range and employment situation. BBB advises...
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04/01/10:
BBB Warns that iPad Scammers Are Already at Work
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Even before the iPad was released to the public, scammers were busy devising ways to take advantage of early adopters. Better Business Bureau warns eager shoppers to stay away from offers to become a “tester” just to get a free iPad.
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04/01/10:
New Rules Go Into Effect to Protect Air Travelers
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Complaints to Better Business Bureau about airlines have increased by more than 170 percent in the last five years. Good news is on the horizon, as BBB explains, new rules and regulations go into effect this month to provide better consumer protectio...
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04/01/10:
BBB Travel Tips: Vacation Rentals for the Budget-Traveler
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Vacation rentals can be a great way to save money when traveling on a tight budget and many travelers are foregoing the mint on the pillow experience for more reasonable and less cushy accommodations. Better Business Bureau advises vacationers to do ...
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03/08/10:
Complaints to Better Business Bureau Up Nearly 10 percent in 2009
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Arlington, VA – March 8, 2010 – According to an annual report released today by Better Business Bureau, consumer complaints to the organization increased by 9.7 percent in 2009. Not only did BBB receive nearly 1 million complaints filed by disgruntle...
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03/02/10:
Top Five Reasons to Fill Out the 2010 Census Form
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Every ten years the US federal government is required to count every man woman and child in the country. Not surprisingly, the census is a massive undertaking requiring the work of more than a million people to accurately count the hundreds of millio...
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03/02/10:
BBB Warns Against Deceitful Online Payday Lenders
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Arlington, VA – March 2, 2010 – Better Business Bureau is warning cash-strapped families to beware of some online payday lenders that claim they are not beholden to state or federal laws regarding licensing requirements, debt collection practices or ...
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03/01/10:
How BBB can help you become a savvier consumer
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March 7 is the kickoff to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and Better Business Bureau is a proud supporter of this nationwide effort to educate the public on how to become savvier consumers. For anyone looking for advice on how to spend money...
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03/01/10:
Tips for Selling Your Timeshare
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In a tough economy, struggling families look for ways to reduce their expenses. One popular option is to unload any timeshares so they can recoup their investment and stop paying maintenance fees. Many businesses specialize in reselling timeshares, b...
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03/01/10:
BBB Small Business Advice: Reduce the Damage Done by a Data Breach
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While the volume of data breaches declined in 2009, data breaches at businesses—as opposed to the government or non-profit sector—are on the rise. Better Business Bureau recommends that small business owners take steps to protect their data and also ...
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02/16/10:
CARU Recommends Roblox Add Privacy Protections
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New York, NY – Feb. 16 2009 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CARU) has recommended that Roblox modify its website to better protect the privacy of child visitors. The company has don...
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02/09/10:
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Prius, Lexus Vehicles
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Recalls Underscore Toyota’s Commitment to Address All Vehicle Quality and Safety Issues Promptly and Effectively
Toyota today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and 14,500 Lexu...
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02/05/10:
Toyota Recalls: What You Need to Know
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Recently, Toyota announced two safety recalls that cover some of its models. Both recall campaigns address conditions related to the accelerator pedal. The first recall, “Floor Mat Entrapment,” regards the potential for an unsecured or incompatible d...
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02/05/10:
Toyota Recall: Q and A
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What is the solution Toyota announced to fix sticking accelerator pedals?
Toyota’s engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that is both effective and simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the accele...
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02/03/10:
Posted Employment Scams Hit Craigslist
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Craigslist is commonly used to find apartments, search for jobs, and sell or buy unwanted items. As the unemployed look for jobs, many are searching social networking sites, newspapers, and online postings. It has been brought to our attention that e...
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02/01/10:
Teach Your Kids How to Stay Safe on Social Networks
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The popularity of social networking continues to grow among kids. Social networking sites can provide a secure way for kids to connect with each other, but they can also be exploited for any number of nefarious purposes. Better Business Bureau recomm...
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02/01/10:
Tips for Finding a Trustworthy Tax Preparer
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Most Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes this year. Better Business Bureau encourages taxpayers to use caution when selecting tax preparation help or they may get hit with headaches a...
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01/14/10:
BBB Advice on Donating by Text Message for Haiti Relief Efforts
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January 14, 2010 – Arlington, VA – In the wake of the earthquake
disaster in Haiti, Americans are donating via text message more than ever before. BBB Wise Giving Alliance advises donors that giving through text can be a safe and easy way to give—bu...
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01/13/10:
Charities Providing Haiti Earthquake Relief
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The list below identifies national charities that are seeking to provide assistance in response to the earthquake in Haiti. This list only includes those charities that meet the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. Click o...
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01/13/10:
BBB Advises Donors on How to Vet Haiti Earthquake Charity Appeals
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Not All Charities are Equipped to Help and Some Might be Fraudulent, Warns BBB
January 13, 2010 – Arlington, VA – As immediate relief needs are assessed in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, many Americans are looking f...
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01/06/10:
BBB Lists Top 10 Scams and Rip-Offs of 2009
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Arlington, VA – January 6, 2010 - Better Business Bureau today released a list of the top 10 scams and rip-offs of 2009. Not surprisingly, many scams sought to take advantage of people who were suffering under tough economic circumstances—such as the...
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01/04/10:
BBB’s Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for a Consumer-Savvy 2010
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The New Year is here and, because of the rough economy, it’s more important that ever to resolve to be a savvy consumer. Better Business Bureau offers the following ten New Year’s resolutions to fight scammers, prevent identity theft and save money i...
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01/04/10:
Start Saving Now for the Holidays with a Christmas Club Account
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One way to budget for the added expense of gifts, food and decorations over the holidays is to take advantage of a Christmas Club. This budgeting tool has been provided by banks and credit unions for decades, and now some retailers are offering their...
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01/04/10:
Out of Work? The U.S. Census Bureau is Hiring Nationwide
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The national unemployment rate is hovering around 10 percent, but the good news is that the upcoming 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of temporary, part-time jobs across the United States. Better Business Bureau offers the following advi...
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12/17/09:
BBB, FTC, and Visa Partner to Educate Consumers about Online Scams
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Washington, DC – December 17, 2009 – Today Better Business Bureau joined the Federal Trade Commission and Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) in a press conference to alert consumers to online deceptive marketing practices associated with free trials with a negative...
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11/02/09:
Five questions to ask before donating to a charity
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Most charities rely heavily on the goodwill of individual donors during the holiday season to fund their activities throughout the coming year. Last year, charity contributions totaled $307.65 billion: 75 percent of this total came from individuals, ...
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11/02/09:
BBB Advice on Using Layaway for Holiday Purchases
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As more families struggle in the tough economy, retailers are trying to make paying for holiday gifts more flexible by offering layaway options. With layaway experiencing a comeback, your Better Business Bureau offers the following guidance on how to...
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11/02/09:
Make Money From Home with Google? Not so Fast, Warns BBB
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Better Business Bureau has received more than 1,500 complaints about several dozen Web sites that are trading on the Google name to scam people who want to learn about making money from home. Because the sites often use the Google name and prominentl...
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11/02/09:
Cash for Appliances is the New Cash for Clunkers
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Following the success of the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government recently announced the creation of a similar rebate program for consumers looking to purchase new energy-efficient appliances. While many of the details of the program are...
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11/02/09:
Cash for Appliances is the New Cash for Clunkers
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Following the success of the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government recently announced the creation of a similar rebate program for consumers looking to purchase new energy-efficient appliances. While many of the details of the program are...
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09/05/09:
Better Business Bureau Warns about iJango, Possible Pyramid Scheme
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Arlington, VA – September 8, 2009 – A new money making opportunity that claims to “Multi-level market the Internet” could be nothing more than a pyramid scheme warns Better Business Bureau. An investigation by BBB shows that iJango – a new self-descr...
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09/04/09:
BBB Warns Renters to Beware of Bogus Home Rentals
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Better Business Bureau is warning renters to be on the lookout for scammers on Craigslist and other online classifieds when searching for a home. Phony ads for rental properties across the country are cropping up, and are specifically aimed at steali...
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09/04/09:
Behind on Car Payments? BBB Advice on How to Avoid the Repo Man
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As the economic slump continues, many people are struggling to make ends meet, and unfortunately, vehicle repossessions are now on the rise. Having a car repossessed hinders more than just a car owner’s mobility; it has a severe impact on credit scor...
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09/04/09:
BBB Small Business Advice on Fighting Friendly Fraud
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Businesses are increasingly becoming victims of “friendly fraud” - fraud carried out by customers to get items free of charge. Better Business Bureau warns small business owners to be on the lookout for friendly fraud and offers advice on how to prot...
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08/04/09:
BBB Warns Your Online Diploma Could be a Worthless Piece of Paper
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Arlington, VA – August 4, 2009 - It’s time to head back to school for many students and Better Business Bureau is warning consumers against online programs that offer fast and easy high school diplomas or college degrees. As millions struggle to fin...
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08/03/09:
BBB Advice on How to Respond to Online Customer Complaints
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The old adage is that a satisfied customer will tell three people and an unsatisfied customer will tell ten. However, with the advent of blogs, Twitter, and YouTube, disgruntled customers can now share their rant about a company for the whole world t...
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08/03/09:
BBB Warning on Three Scams Targeting Job Hunters
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As the unemployment rate rises, so does the threat of scams targeting job seekers. Better Business Bureau warns job hunters to be extremely cautious in their search for work because scammers are out to take advantage of them and make a fast buck.
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08/03/09:
BBB Advice on the Basics of Creating an Estate Plan
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Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy, nor is it a topic people enjoy thinking about. However, Better Business Bureau advises consumers that if they own something of value they would like to pass on to family or loved ones at their death, they s...
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07/07/09:
BBB Warns Against Twitter Money-Making Schemes
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Arlington, VA- July 7, 2009- Through Tweets, e-mail and Web sites, job hunters are being told that they can make lots of money from the comfort of home using Twitter and Better Business Bureau warns that the large print for such offers may promise bi...
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06/30/09:
BBB Warns Against Three Common Check Scams
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Experts estimate that billions of dollars have been lost as the result of fake check scams. Scams involving fake checks come in many different forms and can be very hard to identify as the printing technology used by scammers improves. Better Busines...
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06/03/09:
Take Advantage of Energy-Saving Tax Credits for Your Home
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Home improvement season is here and Better Business Bureau is offering advice on how to take advantage of tax credits being offered by the Federal government while increasing home energy efficiency and helping the environment at the same time.
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06/03/09:
BBB Advice on What do to if Your Local Car Dealer Closes
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Both General Motors and Chrysler have announced that they are effectively closing nearly a total of 2,000 dealerships across the country by not renewing their franchising contracts. In the wake of the announcement, millions of vehicle owners are conc...
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04/07/09:
BBB Warns Small Business Owners to Beware of Telephone Relay Fraud
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Better Business Bureau warns small business owners that reports of scammers plying their trade through telephone relay services — typically used by the hearing impaired to make phone calls — are cropping up all across the country. At a time when busi...
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04/02/09:
BBB says Buyer Beware when Clicking on Facebook Ads
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Arlington, VA – April 2, 2009 – Better Business Bureau is advising social networkers to read the fine print when responding to ads on Facebook or other social networking sites because the large print doesn’t always tell the whole story. Ubiquitous ad...
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03/02/09:
BBB Advice on Finding a Financial Planner You Can Trust
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In a challenging economic environment, finding a responsible financial planner and money manager is extremely important. Between the volatility of today’s bear market and revelations of Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi schemes duping investors, consumers are...
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02/12/09:
BBB Warns Tax Schemes Prey on Cash-Strapped Consumers
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The continuing downturn in the economy means that many cash-strapped Americans are anxiously looking forward to receiving a tax refund check from Uncle Sam. During this tax season, Better Business Bureau advises taxpayers to be on the lookout for sch...
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01/30/09:
BBB Says Buyer Beware When Shopping Going-Out-Of-Business Sales
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Retailers across the country are being hit by the declining economy and some big brand names such as Circuit City are closing doors and liquidating assets in order to pay debtors. To customers’ ears, a going-out-of-business sale means huge discounts,...
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06/30/08:
PONZI SCHEME DEFENDANT SENTENCED
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Some 1,600 people who altogether lost millions of dollars to a Ponzi scheme carried out by John Heath, his son Daniel, and two others...
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03/25/08:
KIM'S CATCH OF THE DAY: HAPPY CAMPER
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Here's the catch: Families head for Happy Camper to rent the recreational vehicle that's going to take them along the highway to heavenly vacation points. But broken items, blowouts...
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03/25/08:
THE TAXING PART OF TAX RELIEF
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No one really likes paying taxes, but if it's a choice between life's two certainties, most of us would choose taxes over death. Nevertheless, those who have relied on American Tax Relief (ATR)...
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01/24/08:
HERE ARE THE LATEST SPECIAL REPORTS
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Foreclosure Frauds and Fixes, report no. 24, informs you of the scams homeowners face when they are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. The report also discusses tax liability and gives some tips for those at risk of foreclosure.
Hi...
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01/24/08:
NEW LAWS
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Here are two of the laws that became effective this month...
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01/24/08:
KIM'S CATCH OF THE DAY: FIRST GOV
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Here's the catch: For homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure, First Gov may seem like a white knight charging in to save them. Homeowners scrape together the money to pay...
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12/05/07:
Kim's Catch of the Day: EDebitPay
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Here's the catch: Those who need money badly enough to seek out a payday loan get, instead of the expected loan proceeds, a promise of a debit card and unexpected debits...
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12/05/07:
Mazda Joins Auto Line
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Mazda is the Better Business Bureau's newest addition to its Auto Line program. Mazda owners may now bring disputes with the automobile
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12/05/07:
Holiday Wishes
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As we approach the holiday season and the end of another year, we at the Better Business Bureau remember with appreciation the continued support of our members. We wish our readers and members a joy-filled holiday season and all the best in the comi...
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09/27/07:
Customer Service at What Cost?
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Business owners take note: you can become liable for millions of dollars in damages for attempting to better serve your customers. Learn from...
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09/27/07:
Bureau's Website to Include Customer Reviews
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The Better Business Bureau's website (www.santabarbara.bbb.org) now includes the opportunity for customers of all companies in its database to write and post a review...
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07/26/07:
Agreements to Arbitrate Must be Initialed
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Contractors who use the Better Business Bureau arbitration clause in their contracts must be certain that their clients initial in the space provided to indicate their assent or nonassent to arbitrate any dispute...
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05/22/07:
UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE CONSUMERS
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We've written before about the damage unlicensed contractors can do not only to their customers but to other, licensed contractors. In some specialties, such as flooring and floor covering contractors
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05/22/07:
DO YOU NEED THIS GOOD DEED DOER?
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Property owners in San Bernardino county may receive, at one time or another, as did Bureau President Bill Mitchell recently, a letter from California Record Retrieval, Inc., offering to provide them with a certified copy of the deed to...
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05/22/07:
KIM'S CATCH OF THE DAY: LAWCROSSING.COM
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Here's the catch: LawCrossing.com, of Pasadena, posts job listings for the legal profession on its website. At least some of those who sign up and pay monthly to access the listings find no jobs, no accurate...
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03/27/07:
Kim's Catch of the Day: USN Television Group, Inc.
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Here's the catch: Attractive, affordable gemstone jewelry entices shoppers to buy through USN's TV auction or from its website. But some buyers learn that the gemstones they receive--if, indeed, they receive...
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11/21/06:
Good, Wholesome, G-Rated, But Risky
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Avalon Family Films, which produces G-rated films, is D-rated by the Better Business Bureau. It's not that we're against family or G-rated movies or that we disagree with Avalon's mission statement...
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11/21/06:
Kim's Catch of the Day: DreamKicks.net
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Here's the catch: DreamKicks.net sells clothing--mostly shoes, or "kicks"--from their website. With brand names such as Nike, Adidas, Coach and Louis Vuitton advertised at prices of less than $100 per item, with free shipping worldwide and no other...
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11/21/06:
Deceptive Checks Net Appellate Court Nays
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A U.S. Appeals Court has upheld a district court's grant of an injunction to the Federal Trade Commission and its determination of the proper amount of consumer redress.
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09/21/06:
Is Cars 4 Causes Cause For Concern?
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In June 2003, the People of the State of California and the California Department of Motor Vehicles filed a lawsuit against Cars 4 Causes, which describes itself on its website as "The Charity That Gives...
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09/21/06:
Dr. Phil's Advertising Episode
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Though he's expert at helping people resolve relationship problems, Dr. Phil clearly has something to learn about advertising issues.
The allegations of false advertising against the celebrity TV psychologist...
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09/21/06:
Kim's Catch of the Day: Fine Art Treasures Gallery
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Here's the catch: Art fanciers are drawn to Fine Art Treasures Gallery's TV auction, where they can bid on artwork from easy chairs. Auctioneers pitch their products, but winning leaves bidders bitter...
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05/26/06:
Where's Your Support For Policemen Support Fund?
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Policemen Support Fund is a good example of a charitable or soliciting organization that gets an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau despite our having no complaints on record for it.
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05/23/06:
What's in a Name
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Do you find the name ACredit Protection Association@ (CPA) threatening? Whether or not you do can depend upon your perspective.
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05/23/06:
How Safe is Buying Through Ebay?
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According to newspaper reports, that venerated jewelry seller Tiffany & Co. is suing eBay for "facilitating the trade of counterfeit Tiffany items" on eBay's web auction site.
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03/17/06:
What's the Good Word?
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Consumers whose complaints were resolved through the Better Business Bureau write:
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03/17/06:
Onix Electronics Delivers Barrages of Mirages
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If the alchemists of yore sought, though unsuccessfully, to transform base metals into gold, Onix Electronics seems to have struck a vein performing somewhat the reverse: it makes e-gold payments from customers disappear altogether.
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11/17/05:
OCEANCITY WORLDWIDE'S GAS SAVERS FUEL BUYERS' IRE
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If there's any one topic that's close to the top of everyone's list of attention-getters, it's probably the price of gasoline. That topic has probably retained its position on the list for some months now, as we've seen the price per gallon soar. And...
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11/17/05:
KIM'S CATCH OF THE DAY: XKR ESSEX, INC.
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Here's the catch: Online clients pay XKR to file paperwork for fictitious business names and to obtain licenses and other business start-up requirements for them. But after they've paid, clients wait, may eventually do the work themselves, and fina...
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11/17/05:
IF IT'S A NEW SIN TAX, THERE'S A LOOPHOLE
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A restaurant patron recently emailed the Bureau asking if we could explain the "liquor tax" on her dinner check. She hadn't been charged tax on liquor purchased at the restaurant's bar and wondered just what the rules for charging the tax are.
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10/12/05:
BBB Launches New Reporting System
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The Better Business Bureau of the Tri-Counties is the third BBB in the nation selected to test a substantially revised reporting system. Our new reporting system responds to national surveys of consumers and businesses that found users of BBB report...
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09/25/05:
Click-to-Check Icon Gets New Look
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Members whose website gives visitors the opportunity to click to check their reliability report with the Better Business Bureau...
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09/25/05:
RAINDROPS ARE FALLING ON MY HEAD
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If raindrops are falling on your head because of this year?s monsoon rains, you?re not alone. Recent rains have prompted many residents to call the BBB in search of a reputable roofing contractor.
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07/01/05:
Kim's Catch of the Day: NSBA
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Small businesses welcome the services National Small Business Alliance offers them. They agree to bank account debits so they can get loans, lines of credit, and more.
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07/01/05:
Ad Review: Your Travel Biz
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One of the BBB's most recent reviews was of the advertising of Your Travel Biz, also known as yourtravelbiznet.com and YTB Net.com, as well as various other names of individuals who are representatives of the company.
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05/01/05:
Spring Wise Giving Guide Now Available
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The latest quarterly issue of the Wise Giving Guide is available. This issue contains in-depth information about charity auctions, in which you can participate in person, online, or both.
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05/01/05:
Fox Rent A Car Deals
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What the quick brown fox jumps over is not necessarily a dog and not necessarily lazy.
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03/01/05:
Music Promoter Strikes Sour Notes
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Ronald Turner thought he had what it took to go somewhere in the music world. The 59-year-old FAA computer technician worked nights and weekends for two-and-a-half years writing and recording...
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03/01/05:
Kim's Catch of the Day: Together
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Clients pay no small fee to Together's matchmakers to meet someone that matches their criteria for a partner. But the clients find they're as incompatible...
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03/01/05:
Checks for Charities
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What's the easiest way to contribute to a charitable cause? Hand over cash and get a receipt for it? Use a credit card? Write a check?
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01/01/05:
Annual Free Credit Report
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Residents of western states may now request a free copy of their credit report. The recently revised Fair Credit Reporting Act provides for free annual reports,...
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01/01/05:
Kim's Catch of the Day: Buyer's Union
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Customers pay Buyer's Union a pittance for gas and other coupons. Then they learn that the price is not so puny and that they've been trapped by the telemarketer.
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01/01/05:
Corporate Compliance Recorder
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Corporate Compliance Recorder has been the subject of 14 complaints in 2004. None of the complainants lost any money, and CCR has responded to 75 percent of the complaints, so why do we give it failing marks...
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11/01/04:
Yellow Pages' New Bait Hooks Unwary
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Yellow Pages companies have long enriched themselves by mailing statements that appear to be invoices but are really only solicitations for yellow-page ads.
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11/01/04:
Holiday Greetings
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As we near the end of 2004, we at the Better Business Bureau of the Southland wish you the very best for the holiday season and the coming new year.
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11/01/04:
Kim's Catch of the Day: Teleten Marketing
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Mortgage lenders pay for leads, but the leads they receive lead to dead ends and their recovery attempts lead nowhere. The only real lead Teleten provides, it seems, is to lead them on.
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09/01/04:
The Immigrant Education Extortion Racket
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Maybe it seems like a warm welcome to Hispanic immigrants when FGH International calls to tell them that the U.S. government wants to foot most of the bill for them to learn English or how to do automotive repairs.
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09/01/04:
'Girls Gone Wild' Purchasers To Get Refund
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Customers who ordered "Girls Gone Wild" videos [Business Link May 2003, July 2003] and later discovered that they had unwittingly enrolled in a negative option program.
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07/01/04:
What About That Great Buy In The Sky?
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Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar? Maybe you can't quite do either, but entrepreneurs are making it easier to come closer or perhaps to reach something better.
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05/01/04:
A Solution To The Affordable Health Care Problem
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At a glance it would seem that success in what Congress, presidents, AARP, and others have failed dismally to accomplish so far is summed up in about 16 words that precede a toll-free number.
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03/01/04:
New Business Arbitration Clause
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The Better Business Bureau's Uniform Rules for Binding Arbitration have recently been revised, and businesses that participate in the Bureau's Business Arbitration program should revise the arbitration clause they presently use.
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01/01/04:
Kudos From Complainants
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Here's what some of the consumers who have complained to the Better Business Bureau have to say about the service they received.
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01/01/04:
BBB Aids In Mail Fraud Convictions
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The Better Business Bureau receives complaint after complaint from people who accept an offer for a credit card and pay a substantial fee for it.
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11/01/03:
A Word Of Appreciation To Our Members
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As we enter the season of holidays, our thanks to our members and our wishes for good cheer and a bright coming year carry elements of both bitter and sweet.
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09/01/03:
Swiss Directory Snares Malibu Business
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When Michelle Lee sent information off to Tourist Directory about her restaurant, Neptune's Net Seafood, in Malibu, she didn't realize she was committing herself to a payment of over a thousand dollars.
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09/01/03:
Fast White Teeth Whitener
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Telemarketers charge consumers for a free sample of teeth whitener, then make ongoing charges to their credit card. Victims, who see red, think Fast White turns off-white in a hurry.
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07/01/03:
Dogg Digital Audio
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Buyers bite into a huge markdown on speakers but learn later that the Dogg bites back.
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07/01/03:
Kim's Catch Of Yesterday: A Sequel
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Using the same catch as Girls Gone Wild another website throws customers off track by offering a "totally uncensored and uncut video review of the hottest and sexiest celebrity video clips in the history of film."
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05/01/03:
Debt Collectors Haunt Survivors
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How do you collect a debt from a deceased person? Exodus Collection Services, who seems to have some skill in collecting debts they attribute to those who have emigrated to the other side, may have an answer for you.
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05/01/03:
Girls Gone Wild
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Internet video buyers order a cheap video, but when more videos pour in to their mailbox and charges rack up, they begin to go a little wild themselves.
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05/01/03:
Magical Stone From The Amazon
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Maybe the most fortunate of us have a so-called guardian angel who holds all the cards, and is willing to deal some out to us.
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05/01/03:
Taking The Fun Out Of Funding
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What Michael Butler didn't know, hurt him. It hurt him, in fact, to the extent of more than $4,000. That was the amount of the penalty the 33-year-old Indiana resident incurred for paying off his mortgage early.
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03/01/03:
Raising Funds For Telemarketers
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Are you the kind of person who steps forward to contribute to charities that purpose to help victims of disease, famine, war, or other scourges? Would you be so willing to pull out your wallet to help pay the rent and buy food, gas, insurance, enter.
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03/01/03:
CTS Marketing
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You're probably not any happier than anyone else about the price of gasoline. If you take CTS Marketing up on their offer, you should pay only 50 cents per gallon at any pump in the country.
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03/01/03:
Sales Job Or Snow Job?
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It sounds like an offer few people could resist, whether they've been laid off or whether they're holding down a pretty good job: become an independent contractor selling credit card processing equipment for DiamondCard Credit Card Processing Corpor.
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03/01/03:
The Word On VietNow
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If VietNow fundraisers had solicited your contribution and you'd checked out the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's website, here are some of the things you would have learned about the organization itself:
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01/01/03:
Topping The Tip
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If you've ever been rankled by the presence of a service charge of some 17 or 18 percent on top of banquet or hotel room charges and various room and sales taxes and still other fees, you may sympathize with the woman who sued over just such a servic...
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01/01/03:
What's The Good Word?
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Here are comments of a couple of consumers who took the time to let us know the good news about their use of our services:
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01/01/03:
The Dismal Side Of Disneyland
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Disneyland has lost sight of the service that brought it to the reputation it enjoys today. For one visitor, the Magic Kingdom is never-never land.
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11/01/02:
I Do Honeymoons
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Couples who book travel with I Do Honeymoons in anticipation of saying "I do" to each other are left standing at the altar when I Do says "I don't."
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11/01/02:
Should You Forget About Senior Moment?
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If you're a senior with any concerns at all about the direction your memory is taking, you've probably snapped to attention when you've seen, heard or read about Senior Moment, the "advanced memory enhancing dietary supplement."
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11/01/02:
The Week Before The Night Before Christmas
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Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town Everyone was promising "The best deal around!" The Yuletide merriment was marred by the sight Of fast-dealing swindlersyyya perennial blight.
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11/01/02:
Winning The Costly Prize Game
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Lucky Lupe Robledo! First, the National Diabetes Fund wants to send him $2,500. But, they say, their records concerning him are incomplete.
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09/01/02:
These Collectibles Make Money A Memory
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Why do people buy collectibles? As an investment...for resale...or to complete a set? in every case the customers were promised a large profit in a short period of time.
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09/01/02:
How Reliable Are God And Country?
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If we are drawn to a business that displays the American Flag or sprinkles their advertising with Bible verses, don't feel guilty requesting a BBB Reliability Report.
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07/01/02:
Salesco To Make Consumer Redress, Pay Fine
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Salesco, a San Dimas-based seller of automobile accessories through the mail, telephone and Internet, recently entered a consent agreement with the Federal Trade Commission.
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07/01/02:
A Tale Of A Cake And Ail
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When it came to planning her wedding, Maggie Yanez was a smart cookie. With her wedding cake, for example, she took no chances. Before she ordered it, she priced and tasted cakes at 15 to 20 different bakeries.
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05/01/02:
Kim's Catch Of The Day: Travel Club International
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With air travel down, passenger bargains are scarce. Now, with travel agents' commissions cut further by major airlines, travelers can expect to have to raise the ante for their services.
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05/01/02:
The Other Side Of The Credit Coin
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There's no dispute that the total amount of credit card debt is staggering. The Wall Street Journal reports $1.23 trillion in credit card transactions a year, the figure obtained from a recent Federal Reserve System survey.
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03/01/02:
New Legislation
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A number of new laws went into effect in California at the beginning of 2002. A summary of some of those that affect employers is as follows:
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01/01/02:
The Job Mirages
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The economy is in a down turn. Unemployment is rising. Job opportunities are shrinking. How do you making a living when times are tough?
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01/01/02:
Advertising Your Bureau Membership
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Better Business Bureau members who have been in business at least a year may now include the Bureau's torch logo and the statement that they are a Bureau member in their advertising.
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01/01/02:
Broadcasting Training Company Generates Static
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It's not easy to tell just what American Radio Network's game is. The Hollywood company advertises in the New Times Los Angeles, a free paper, for radio announcers and talk show hosts, no experience necessary.
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09/01/01:
Watch For Phony Phone Bill Charges
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A Bureau member looked over his company's last phone bill and noticed, for the second time in a couple of months, a $6.00 charge for a collect call.
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09/01/01:
Orly The Matchmaker
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Orly Hadeda, who calls herself "the One and Only Matchmaker," charges thousands of dollars to arrange all the introductions you need over a one- or two-year period in your quest for the "perfect match."
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09/01/01:
The Problems With Debt Solutions
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Suppose there was a way for you to pay off a mortgage in much less time, pay off credit cards, pay rents and leases, phone and utility bills, student and business loans, child support, IRS and other liens, property taxes--all without filing bankruptc...
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09/01/01:
Our Readers Write
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"It was absolutely amazing to note the misinformation that was provided in this article. . . . [m]overs cannot and do not ever sell a product called ?insurance.' .
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07/01/01:
Bureau Assists First Senior Citizen In Court
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Wallace Kimmet didn't expect his investment in corn to make some alchemical transmutation to gold, nor did he expect it to end up as peanuts. Nevertheless, it did both.
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07/01/01:
Magnetic Therapy Mattress Pad Promotion
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Companies use a free meal to attract customers to seminars promoting magnetic mattress covers as a cure for a variety of ailments. Some are finding there's no free lunch.
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05/01/01:
All The Wrong Moves!
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Making a move, either locally or long-distance, often has some of the features of making a movie: anticipation, innuendo, suspense, surprise, threats, villains, hostages, ransom, victims, and an ending that may or may not be happy.
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05/01/01:
Consumerinfo.com
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Here's the catch: Consumers are signing on for a free credit report but ending up paying--sometimes for nothing.
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05/01/01:
How To Make A Smooth Move
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How does it happen that you find your personal possessions held hostage until and unless you pay much more than you were originally told to get them back?
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03/01/01:
Bureau Sues Carpet Cleaner
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The complaints, many from seniors, alleged bait-and-switch tactics in advertising carpet and upholstery cleaning at a cost of less than $20 (and sometimes less than $10) but charging as much as several hundred dollars more when the work was done.
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03/01/01:
Computers For Sale...Bit By Bit
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Very soon you'll realize that, besides targeting Hispanic people, Sabina has put a new twist on buying on the installment plan that also includes selling in installments.
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03/01/01:
New BBB Seniors' Program
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Consumers who are 65 years and older have a little more marketplace protection with the Better Business Bureau's new Senior Consumer Services program.
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03/01/01:
Southwest Leaves The Door Open To Identity Thieves
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Just past the gates and ringing slot machines was a temporary counter where free Southwest T-shirts were offered to anyone who signed up for Southwest's Rapid Rewards frequent-flyer program.
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01/01/01:
Subleasing Vehicles Yields Super Losses
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As an auto equity promoter, what Global Auto Escrow offers is to find lessees or sublessees for car buyers or lessees who can't or don't want to make any more payments.
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01/01/01:
Kim's Catch Of The Day: Order of the Holy Spirit
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Companies selling bogus merchandise or services relating to religion have an edge in victimizing customers because of the trust we automatically attribute to sellers of these items.
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01/01/01:
PMB Deadline Looms...Again
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Even before the U.S. Postal Service's PMB deadline last April, the USPS was in the process of changing its mind.
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01/01/01:
Prescriptions By Internet?
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You may have half a dozen reasons for wanting to get your prescriptions filled through an Internet pharmacy. Your biggest question, though, is probably whether it's safe to do that. Sometimes it's not.
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01/01/01:
Members: Use the Correct Arbitration Clause
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Members who participate in Business Arbitration risk an arbitrator's decisions' being overturned unless they use the correct arbitration clause in their contracts.
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01/01/99:
Matchmaker Strikes Out With Clients
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Why would anyone complain at all about a company that uses some 12-or-so pages of information about you in their efforts to find you a match?
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