Better Business Bureau
QUINCY — For students struggling to pay for tuition, a sudden scholarship offer or a financial aid company that guarantees results can seem like a dream come true – but it could also be the setup for a scam. Higher education is expensive, and scammers take advantage of that to trick students and their families.…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Warmer weather means everyone is getting out more, including salespeople. Now through September is prime time for door-to-door sales, so it’s a good time to form a plan for how you will respond if someone knocks on your door. Plenty of reputable companies use door-to-door sales, including industries like telecommunications, energy, security and…
Read Full Article Paying bills, scheduling appointments, applying for jobs – we share personal information with businesses and other people nearly every day. Since so much of our data is shared online, it’s easy to forget that it’s valuable, especially to scammers. Nearly every scam involves some sort of identity or information theft. Scammers want your personal information…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Can you recognize Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as AI, when you see it? Edited images and videos are nothing new – but generative AI tools have made it faster and easier for people to create realistic text, images and videos from scratch. The possibilities AI presents are endless, but the downside is that…
Read Full Article QUINCY — You may be making plans to clean up the physical clutter in your house this spring, butwhat about the digital clutter on your phone or laptop? Spring cleaning season is a great time to check in on your digital cleanliness. Keeping your phone, computer and other devices organized and secure helps ensure your…
Read Full Article Summer will be here before we know it, and you might be looking into day camps or overnight camps for your kids. After all, summer camps are a great environment for kids to develop social skills, grow independence and experience the outdoors. BBB recommends using the same level of care in choosing a summer camp…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The weather is warming up, and it’s a great time of year for the home improvement projects you’ve been putting off over the winter. No matter the size of your project, hiring the right contractor is one of the most important things you can do to make sure everything goes smoothly. Home improvement…
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QUINCY — A beautiful yard takes hard work, and sometimes you need to call in the professionals.When choosing a lawn care professional, BBB recommends looking for a responsive company with a strong track record of trustworthy business practices. Complaints to BBB about lawn or landscaping companies include subpar work, failure to communicate or failure to…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As spring approaches, so do spring storms that may cause roof damage. After big storms, roofing companies may make the rounds in your neighborhood performing free inspections. While legitimate businesses use this strategy to reach new customers, con artists or dishonest companies can also take advantage of it to get your business. When…
Read Full Article 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…
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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…
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