Better Business Bureau
QUINCY — Couples who got engaged during the holidays can look forward to spending their spring in a whirlwind of wedding planning, bridal shows, expos and consultations. But what happens when a wedding vendor doesn’t come through on their promises? BBB often receives complaints about wedding-related businesses, including caterers, florists, DJs and photographers. Many complaints…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Whether you’ve already started your taxes or don’t plan to think about them until April, make sure you know the signs of a tax scam. The IRS is one of the most impersonated organizations in reports to BBB, especially during tax season. Scammers impersonating the IRS hope to get your personal information for…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Have you ever gotten a package you didn’t order? It might seem like a fun surprise, but it might be the setup for a scam known as brushing. In a brushing scam, you receive a package you didn’t order, often without a return address. This is usually a setup by companies who found…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Looking for love? BBB recommends looking out for romance scams – especially if you’re dating online, because AI tools and cryptocurrency are lending new dimensions to old scams. In a romance scam, scammers use fake online dating profiles to start a relationship with someone and gain their trust. The scammer will eventually ask…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It’s tough to keep track of your information in an increasingly connected world. As people rely more on online services for things they do in their daily lives, it’s more important than ever to be in control of your data. This Data Privacy Week is a perfect time to check in. Personal information…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It may feel hard to believe, but the 2025 tax season is just around the corner. Taxes can be complicated, and laws change every year. If you’ve experienced major life changes, own a business, or just want to feel sure that your taxes are done properly, it might make sense to work with…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Out with the old, in with the new. If decluttering is one of your New Year’s resolutions, BBB has tips for selling your used items online. Online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Poshmark make it easy to sell unneeded items, sometimes without even leaving your home. However, they’re also popular platforms…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If this is the year for you to reduce debt and bump up the savings account, revisiting prior financial goals is not a bad idea. Fluctuations in the economy continue to affect many households. People are reassessing retirement timelines, considering where and how they live and assessing future personal goals in the face…
Read Full Article ST. LOUIS — Greg Kendall, senior vice president and business banking division manager at Commerce Bank, was elected chair of the Better Business Bureau St. Louis Board of Directors, effective Jan. 1. Kendall, a Quincy, Ill., native, succeeds Todd Smith, managing partner of Waterway Carwash. Smith will remain on the board as the immediate past…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Throughout the year, BBB tracks the riskiest scams that cost people time, money and energy. As 2024 draws to a close, we’re sharing our New Year’s resolutions for a fraud-free 2025. This year’s BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report found that investment and cryptocurrency scams were the riskiest, followed by employment scams and online…
Read Full Article If you’re one of the many shoppers returning or exchanging a gift this year, make sure you check the return policy before you get started. For a lot of people, it’s important for returns to be as convenient as possible. In a recent PwC report, 87% of respondents said they expect retailers to process their…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As temperatures drop, it’s important to make sure your furnace is in working order so you don’t have any chilly surprises. But if a broken furnace does catch you off guard this winter, don’t panic. Take your time to find a trusted contractor. BBB often receives reports from customers of unscrupulous businesses who…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As the year winds down, BBB is writing its naughty list of the top 12 holiday scams. People handle a lot of money during the holidays, whether they’re buying gifts, travelling or donating to charities. That means extra opportunities for scammers to cut into your holiday cheer. The good news is that a…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It’s the busiest delivery season of the year, and unfortunately, that means scammers will be busy, too. You may already be expecting packages you bought on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Home delivery is the most popular delivery method for people who plan to shop online for the holidays this year – and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The winter holidays are the busiest shopping season of the year. Unfortunately, that means scammers will be busy, too. To help you know what to look out for this holiday season, BBB just released an update to its 2021 investigation and 2022 update on online shopping scams. Last year, we received reports from…
Read Full Article QUINCY— December will be a busy month for travel – and travel is stressful at the best of times. Unfortunately, for some travelers, scams can make holiday travel even more overwhelming. BBB often receives reports about scams that target travelers during their trip, whether it be during booking, during their hotel stay or through social…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Better Business Bureau Quincy recently honored three businesses with Torch Awards for Ethics, which recognize businesses and organizations that meet the highest standard of trust. Don O’Brien, BBB Quincy Regional Director, said in a press release, “These businesses are outstanding examples of what it means to truly commit yourself to customer service and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Buy now, pay later is a service that many stores offer to allow shoppers to space out smaller payments on an item over time, rather than paying the full cost up front. Read the fine print before agreeing to one of these services. In recent years, buy now, pay later plans have become…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Reverse mortgages are widely advertised to older adults as a way to convert part of the equity in a home to cash in the form of a loan – without having to sell the property. The cash may be paid to you in installments or a lump sum, and you must pay back…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Holiday shopping is closer than you may think. With Thanksgiving on Nov. 28 – quickly followed by Black Friday sales – the shopping season may seem shorter this year. Stores are likely to advertise deals well before Black Friday and extend store hours to maximize shopping days. Deloitte is predicting an increase of…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Hurricanes Milton and Helene have caused severe damage in the southern U.S., especially on Florida’s west coast, during the past couple of weeks – leaving many people displaced, without power or recovering from damages to their property. If you’d like to support hurricane recovery efforts with a donation, it’s best to give to…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It can take effort to prepare your home and car for colder weather. However, taking the time to winterize during the fall months will save you from headaches later. A few preventative measures can help you avoid waking up to a broken furnace, frozen pipes or a deflated tire. Planning ahead also gives…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Home solar panels can help some households save money on energy – but be careful if a solar panel salesperson knocks on your door or calls without warning. There are plenty of reputable companies who can install solar panels or help you make other clean energy improvements to your home. Unfortunately, some scammers…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If you’re a music lover, you may find yourself looking for last-minute deals on fall festivals or tickets to a sold-out show. However, extra fees, resale pricing for high-demand shows and tactics by unscrupulous sellers can all make ticket prices skyrocket. You should also keep an eye out for counterfeit tickets. You’re more…
Read Full Article