BBB Consumer Education Blog

Questionable Calls Offering Gas Cards

By Amy | July 3, 2008

We recently received a call from a concerned consumer who has been receiving phone calls from someone posing as a bank representative offering her a free gas card. Upon checking with her bank, it was verified that no one from her bank was calling. She also called MasterCard and verified that none of their representatives had contacted her either. Since then she has gotten numerous calls from that same number (614-754-0176), and has asked to be taken off of their call list, but it hasn’t worked. They still call, sometimes after 10:00 pm!

She is not alone in this. Upon doing some research, it seems that people from all over the country are getting calls from this number with very similar experiences: the caller claims to be a representative from a bank, credit card, or rewards program and has some wonderful offer for them–as long as you provide some personal information. Any requests to speak with a supervisor are quickly met with a dial tone, but in many instances the calls still continue. This is a scenario that is all to frequent these days.

Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot that you can do if the people calling you aren’t from a legitimate business. You can and should, however, fight back against the callers! The Federal Trade Commission has a website called Who’s Calling: Recognize and Report Phone Fraud, and it is devoted to informing consumer about telemarketing fraud. Visiting this site will help educate you about how to Recognize and Report telephone fraud, and while you’re there you can put your name on the Do Not Call List.

For more information on telemarketers, please read the following:
Opting Out of Marketing Lists
Charities and the “Do Not Call” List

Topics: Identity Theft, Scams, Tips | No Comments »

Sad Charity News from Ohio

By Alanna | July 2, 2008

A June 26, 2008 article on Cleveland.com by Debbie Palmer called to mind the importance of checking out a charity before making a donation.

A 13 year-old-girl and her father were arrested for “scamming hundreds of dollars from business people with the fake charity story.” The father is accused of “sending his daughter in to area businesses to solicit for charity (Multiple Sclerosis Society) and pocketing the money…Two employees (of one of the targeted businesses) became suspicious and called the Multiple Sclerosis Society to check. A representative of the organization told police they had received four similar complaints from Cleveland-area businesses.”

Check out our previous post about checking out a charity with the BBB BEFORE donating.

Topics: News, Charity Info, Scams | No Comments »

Rebate Processing Ads Hit Area

By Amy | July 1, 2008

We have had some inquiries recently concerning a rebate processing work-at-home job offer found online or via email. The Canton BBB has issued the following press release in reference to the company placing these ads:

The BBB warns consumers about a work-at-home company in our area.

June 26, 2008 – Canton, Ohio – The Better Business Bureau has been receiving complaints from consumers against a company called Process-At-Home, aka:

INTERNATIONAL DATA ENTRY
GLOBAL DATA ENTRY
ONLINEDATAINSTITUTE.COM

Consumers are receiving emails or replying to online ads to work from home processing rebates for numerous companies. The company asks those interested to pay a $197.00 fee, which the company states is for seven weeks of training and access to an online database that includes over 11,000+ businesses that need rebates processed.

Consumers allege, for money paid, they only receive a training manual and one or two weeks of training; not the seven weeks promised. The training does not include processing rebates but shows them how to place ads on search engine sites such as Google and AOL to lure others into the program. One consumer stated they had trouble accessing the “database” and was told by the company to disable the antivirus software on their computer, which caused the consumer to receive over 200 viruses on their computer. When they had the computer repaired over 60% of the viruses were related to the company’s web site.

Consumers that have sought refunds from the company are continually promised they will be refunded. To date, none of the complainants have received a refund. The BBB has verified the address being used by the company at 1240 Lincoln Way East, Massillon, Ohio 44646 is actually a UPS store that hosts mailbox services and not a physical location for the company. The company misleads consumers that this is a physical location by stating on their website that anyone can “pop by at any time.” The BBB has verified with the owner of the UPS store that Maryanne Kennedy does not own the location and there is no International Data Entry physically located there.

To date, the BBB has received 27 complaints since June 1, 2008; all alleging they did not receive materials and training promised by the company and all seeking refunds. The BBB has received complaints from consumers in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The Better Business Bureau warns consumers: because this type of company comes and goes so quickly, the absence of complaints at the BBB is not a good indicator of whether the company is legitimate. The victims may be too embarrassed to complain or the scheme may be structured to make it look like any problems are the fault of the victim.

The BBB suggests using extreme caution when responding to any such offer. While ads claim high earnings and short hours with little or no experience, BBB files nationwide indicate no evidence of anyone making the promised money. Rarely, if ever, are these ads an offer of legitimate employment. Generally, these “jobs” require up-front fees for information or supplies and only the person who ran the ad makes any money.

For more information on work-at-home opportunities, please read the following:

Beware of Work-at-Home Schemes: Medical Billing Opportunies
Another Look at Work-at-Home Scams
Beware of Latest Work-at-Home Scams!
Work at Home Story

Topics: News, Scams | No Comments »

Free and Low-Cost Health Insurance Programs

By Misty | June 30, 2008

Did you know that 1 out of every 6 Americans is uninsured and, as a result, often can’t access doctors and medical tests? In fact, more than half of uninsured adults don’t see a doctor or get care regularly, which results in tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths, according to the Institute of Medicine.

If you are uninsured or know of someone who is uninsured, there are publicly available resources that may help you and your family or someone you know:

Plan for Your Health, a public education campaign from Aetna and the Financial Planning Association, is providing Insure Your Health: A State-by-State Guide to Finding Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance Programs. This guide gives you information about free and low-cost health insurance programs in your state* as well as:

• Easy-to-understand information on health insurance basics
• A glossary to help you understand common health insurance terms that relate to finding health insurance if you are uninsured.
• An overview of the major federal and state-sponsored programs for the uninsured
• Information on finding individual health insurance

Click here to get a free copy of Insure Your Health in the mail or click here to view a PDF of the guide.

*IN
*IL
*KY

Topics: FYI | No Comments »

Kentucky AG Becomes Identity Theft Victim

By Amy | June 27, 2008

Identity theft is something that people think just won’t happen to them. Some people think that it only happens to people who are careless with their credit card information or who leave their computers vulnerable to outside attack by not installing and running the proper virus protection software. This is just simply not the case, and the fact that Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, who recently announced the development of a new cybercrime unit, had his personal information stolen is proof that people who are well informed about the dangers of identity theft can still become victimized.

According to an article in The Courier-Journal:

When Conway tried to buy some music on iTunes, the company wouldn’t accept his credit card, saying the billing ZIP code didn’t match their records.

The state’s top legal officer said someone had stolen his credit card number and charged thousands of dollars worth of computers, Vonage phone service and postal service charges. He said the thieves changed his billing address.

Conway isn’t responsible for the charges because he reported them quickly.

Another article on Conway’s experience appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader

For more information on identity theft and the protection of personal information, please read the following:

Yet Another Reason Why Keeping Track of Your Finances is Important
FTC and USPS Work Together to Help Prevent ID Theft
Tips for Securing Your Wireless Network
Protecting Identities for Life–and Beyond
Identity Theft Survival Kits!
Identity Theft Victims: What to Do Next

You can also read all of our past posts on identity theft here.

Topics: Identity Theft, News | No Comments »

Free DTV Converter Box (for only $100)

By Amy | June 26, 2008

February 17, 2009 still seems far off, but people are already preparing for the day that US analog TV transmissions become extinct. Of course, whenever there seems to be any sort of seemingly urgent purchasing activity on the part of US consumers at large, there are always a handful of businesses who attempt to take advantage. An example of this is easily illustrated by a recent ad found in papers across the country claiming people don’t really need that $40 coupon the US government is giving out to help people purchase their DTV converter box. Why? Because they can get it for “free” (of course)!

According to a recent BBB consumer alert, consumers should: “beware of a misleading advertising campaign by an Ohio-based company called Universal TechTronics. Ads are running across the U.S. promising free television channels, services and digital TV converter boxes, but are really a bait and switch tactic that prey on consumers’ lack of knowledge about digital TV conversion requirements.”

So, while a consumer thinks they’re getting something that will allow them the post-switch television they desire, plus some additional freebies (free channels, anyone??), what they are really getting is not only far from what they think–it’s far from free:

A BBB investigation found that Universal TechTronics is peddling “five-year warranties” for $59 that must be purchased with their “free” digital TV converter boxes. With shipping and handling fees rolled in, the total cost per box is nearly $100. BBB believes that these are the same boxes consumers can buy in electronics retail stores across the country using $40 U.S. government coupons that make the total cost to consumers about $20 per box.

According to Steve Cox, BBB Spokesperson, “The bottom line is that these ads confuse and mislead consumers.” The alert continues:

Universal TechTronics’ ads imply that their converter boxes are free and will provide free channel reception, similar to the type of services consumers receive through cable or satellite providers. Ads state, “No Bills: New ClearView TV receives free channels, no need to pay for cable to get the new digital picture quality and sound,” and “Public to Get Free TV Without Gov’t Coupon!” Additionally, the ads use the term “Miracle ClearView TV” to disguise the product and further deceive consumers.

The best way to avoid falling victim to misleading advertising is to check out a company before you do business with them. You can do that very easily by contacting your local BBB, or by searching for a company online using your BBB databse.

For more information on Universal TechTronics, please read their BBB reliability report.

You can also find additional information on this subject by reading the consumer alert in full.

Finally, for more information on DTV conversion, please visit the official DTV website, read their FAQ sheet, or call the DTV hotline at 888-DTV-2009.

Topics: News, Announcement, Scams, FYI | 1 Comment »

Midwest Flooding Depletes the Red Cross

By Alanna | June 25, 2008

As the midwest waits for federal funds for disaster relief, victims of the flooding in past few weeks in the midwest turn to the American Red Cross for help.

But, according to MSNBC, “the [American Red Cross] said its domestic Disaster Relief Fund had been wiped out by flood relief expenses that had reached $15 million by Monday. With a balance of zero in the fund, the Red Cross will now seek loans to support its 2,500 staff workers and volunteers on the ground in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, the officials said.”

The American Red Cross meets all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. To help this organization help the people affected by the flooding, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Topics: Charity Info | No Comments »

Flooding and Car Insurance

By Amy | June 24, 2008

A week ago, we talked about how victims of the recent flooding in the Midwest can get help recovering from flood damage. Something we did not address in the post was what one should do when a car has been damaged by flood waters. Your BBB has put together some useful information on this subject in a recent news release.

One thing that flood victims should be sure to do is call their insurance carrier to find out what exactly their comprehensive insurance covers. Most of the time, comprehensive coverage, “will reimburse drivers for loss due to damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object, such as fire, falling objects, catastrophic storms, vandalism, or contact with animals such as birds or deer. This includes flooding.”

If you find yourself needing to deal with a flood damaged car, the most important thing to do is be prepared. You should also do the following:

• Report damage as soon as possible. If your car is not drivable, your agent or claims center may be able to save you time and money by having the car towed directly to the repair facility instead of to a temporary storage facility. In addition, arrangements may be made immediately to provide you with a replacement rental car, if your policy includes this coverage.

• Know what your deductible is and any other additional charges before authorizing work. Expect your insurance adjuster, claims representative or repair facility appraiser to review the damage with you and explain the repair process, including the use of original or generic auto parts. Before authorizing repairs, know what your deductible is, as well as any additional charges you will be expected to pay once repairs are complete.

• Ask about warranties on repairs. Ask whether your insurer has a repair facility referral program that offers a written limited or lifetime repair warranty backed both by the repairer and insurer for as long as you own your vehicle.

• Do business only with a reputable company. Obtain insurance from companies, independent brokers or direct marketers that have a proven track record of handling auto insurance claims effectively. Before signing a contract or making a purchasing decision, you can check out businesses with BBB at www.bbb.org. You can also get a referral or contact your State Department of Insurance for information.

For more information on this subject, you can read the article in full here.

Topics: Tips, FYI | No Comments »

RepairPal: Free Estimates for Car Repair

By Misty | June 23, 2008

Here at the Tri-State BBB, we are always on the lookout for new and interesting information, websites, and blogs that are for and/or about consumers. One website that we’ve recently located that may be of interest to some of you is www.repairpal.com. RepairPal is a website that allows you to compare an estimate that you’ve received for a specific job on your car to RepairPal’s estimates, which are based on “the user’s automobile make, location, and service channel.”

RepairPrice Estimates are free but do not include:
• Diagnostic costs incurred
• Local sales taxes
• Disposal and shop material fees
• The cost of additional work that may be needed

For general information, you can email RepairPal at: team@repairpal.com

RepairPal is located in Emeryville, California and was founded in 2007 by

a group of automobile enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who were frustrated by the expensive and tedious process of fixing and maintaining their vehicles. They created RepairPal to provide drivers with the most accurate, unbiased, and useful car ownership information available. RepairPal is not affiliated with any automobile manufacturer, dealership, auto parts provider, or auto repair facility.

Additional features of the website include: a shop directory where you can enter a city or zip code and find a repair shop in your area; a “My Car” page that allows you to store all of your service and repair information for free; and an expert advice feature, which you can use to ask a live mechanic questions about your car for a fee.

After finding a repair shop in your area, check to see if it’s a BBB accredited business through our Tri-State BBB website.

For more information on car-related matters, visit our previous blog posts:

“Don’t put too much stock in the Lemon Law”
“Buying a Used Car Series #1”
“Buying a Used Car Series #2”
“Buying a Used Car Series #3”
“Buying a Used Car Series #4”
“Be Prepared for Hit-and-Run Car Accidents”
“Buying a New Car? Do the Homework First!”
“Thinking of Buying a Car? What you Should Know about IN Car Titles”

Topics: Websites | 2 Comments »

Tips for Curbing Impulse Buying

By Misty | June 20, 2008

The Consumerist recently reported on a technique referred to as the “Ice Glass Method” that deters you from impulse buying. Basically, you put your credit card in a glass of water or zip lock bag and put the glass or bag in the freezer. Every time you want to use your credit card, you have to wait for the ice to melt, thus, giving you time to weigh the pros and cons of your purchase and deter you from an impulse buy that you really don’t need.

For those of us who find ways around our own bad habit barriers, however, this might not be as advantageous. For instance, DON’T become impatient and try to microwave defrost your card. Obviously, that will lead to all kinds of problems including the destruction of your card and, possibly, the microwave as well. Also, online shopaholics will probably just look through the ice at their account number or, if they are making a purchase from a frequented site, take advantage of website cookies and their stored account information.

For more advice on curbing your impulse spending, visit “The Simple Dollar,” a financial blog for “those of us who need both cents and sense: people fighting debt and bad spending habits while building a financially secure future and still affording a latte or two.”

Topics: Websites, Tips | No Comments »

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