BBB Column

Take care with your charitable donations

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 with 75 percent coming from individuals,... Full story

Government program to back energy-efficient appliances

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... Full story

Direct sales isn’t a job for everyone

Trish Powell

Millions of people have found a way to be their own boss and make money on a flexible schedule through direct selling. Being successful at direct selling doesn’t require any special education or experience, but it isn’t for everyone. BBB... Full story

The proliferation of computer scareware is spooky

C omputer experts are reporting that scareware, yet another sneaky technique used by hackers to steal personal information and spread viruses online, is on the rise. Most recently, companies like Google, Twitter and the New York Times have been... Full story

First-time homebuyers can still get tax break

Start with trust

Trish Powell

Time is running out for first-time homebuyers to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit set aside this year as part of the economic recovery effort. Barring an extension, people looking to cash in must purchase a home by Nov. 30. Since it usually... Full story

Wal-Mart not behind bogus survey

Trish Powell

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to beware of a scam that claims to be an online satisfaction survey from the retailing giant Wal-Mart, but instead is an attempt to steal personal credit information. The scheme, which first became... Full story

Some teeth products are nothing but whitewash jobs

The Better Business Bureau received a recent onslaught of complaints from consumers who thought they were signing up for a free trial of teeth whitening products but were repeatedly billed for products and services they didn’t want.The ads for... Full story

Scam artists target rental markets

Renters should 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 aimed at stealing money from unsuspecting renters.... Full story

Make the most of prepaid phone cards

Prepaid calling cards may seem like a great value, claiming to provide hundreds of minutes for a few dollars. However, many phone cards are so rife with fees and service charges that they deliver far fewer minutes than advertised. Prepaid phone... Full story

Behind on car payment? Act now

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... Full story

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