Better Business Bureau
QUINCY — If you haven’t started already, now is the perfect time to prepare your home and car for winter weather. It can be overwhelming to decide how to winter-proof your life and what contractors you might need to hire for help. However, a few preventative measures can help you avoid waking up to a…
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QUINCY — Better Business Bureau (BBB) Quincy is honoring three businesses with TORCH Awards for Ethics in 2023. BBB TORCH Awards recognize organizations committed to exceptional standards for ethical business practices and service to their customers, employees, suppliers and communities. In a press release, Don O’Brien, BBB Quincy regional director, said, “We’re excited to honor…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A busy holiday shopping season is fast approaching — and with it comes holiday shopping scams. Holiday spending is expected to surpass pre-pandemic figures for the first time this year, and shoppers are starting earlier than ever, especially younger ones. Major stores are offering sales even before Black Friday. The chaos of the…
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Don O’Brien from the Better Business Bureau joins Ashley to talk about holiday online scams and then David Adam and Maggie Flowerree reminisce about the Pink Monkeys soccer team, but then get you ready for this weekend’s Holiday Gift Show at the Oakley-Lindsay Center.
Read Full Article QUINCY — Presidents have designated November as National Family Caregivers Month since 1997 to celebrate the millions of Americans caring for those who need support and medical assistance. In Missouri, one in five adults are caregivers to a friend or family member. In Illinois, that figure is one in six. Around 20 percent of caregivers…
Read Full Article Buying a new home is a huge milestone. It’s also a matter of public record, meaning you’re probably in for some junk mail. It’s common to receive a wave of junk mail after closing on a new home. Because some information about your home purchase is public record, scammers can send you official-looking mail that…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Buy now/pay later is a service that many retailers 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 particularly common…
Read Full Article QUINCY — TikTok recently launched a new online store, TikTok Shop. Before you shop, check out these smart online shopping tips to avoid scams on the new platform. TikTok is a social media app with a reputation for trendsetting, and many small businesses already use the platform to advertise their products. More than half of…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Facebook Marketplace can be a great resource for buying and selling, especially within your local community. However, scams are nothing new on this platform, since it can be difficult to vet sellers and buyers. Last year, 18.7 percent of people who reported to Better Business Bureau that they lost money in a scam…
Read Full Article Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is recognized every September by organizations around the world to raise funds for children affected by cancer. If you’re planning to donate to the cause this month, do your research first. That way, you can be confident your donation is being put to good use. Major charitable movements can sometimes attract…
Read Full Article QUINCY — September is National Preparedness Month – a great time to check in and see if there’s anything you need to do to make sure you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency or natural disaster. Part of being prepared for a disaster is having a plan for repairs…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If you have a college student who just started classes, now’s a good time to talk about preventing fraud while they’re on campus. Young adults are often less experienced with credit and finances. They are navigating financial life events like loans, scholarships or budgeting for the first time – making them a popular…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As a new school year kicks into gear, be on the lookout for scam streaming links when you’re watching a high school sports event online. While many pandemic-era adjustments to high school athletic events have vanished, live streaming has stuck around. Live streams can be a great way for fans to join in…
Read Full Article QUINCY — People struggling with debt or seeking to fix their credit score often turn to credit relief companies. And some of these companies make big promises, but then don’t deliver, leaving people further in debt. Debt is not inherently bad, but many people find themselves underwater as monthly payments and interest stack up, leading…
Read Full Article QUINCY — You might be planning to hire a tutor this school year to keep your child motivated and learning. Many kids can benefit from a tutor to give them extra support in a subject that’s difficult for them or to prepare them for a tough assignment. Your student’s academic needs are unique. A wide…
Read Full Article If you’re a music lover, you may find yourself looking for last-minute deals on late summer festivals or tickets to a sold-out show. However, junk fees, resale pricing for high-demand shows and unscrupulous sellers can all make ticket prices skyrocket. You should also keep an eye out for counterfeit tickets. You’re more likely to run…
Read Full Article As the final days of summer sweep in, you may be planning a camping trip to close out the season. The right gear can make your camping trip a lot more comfortable, but it’s hard to know what you’ll need and where to get it. The price of high quality gear can also add up…
Read Full Article Picture July in Missouri and Illinois, and you’ll probably think of our characteristic hot, humid weather. On top of that, the southern U.S. and Mexico have been experiencing record-breaking heat recently. It’s tempting to blast the air conditioning on days like these, but for many, running the AC at full tilt all day is cost-prohibitive.…
Read Full Article Vacation rentals are popular among travelers who want to have the comforts of home, like a kitchen or laundry machine, while on vacation. Some consumers who book vacation rentals find themselves victims of a bait-and-switch scam, where the scammer lists a vacation rental under an incorrect address. Some rental owners do this to skirt local regulations…
Read Full Article Prime Day has passed, but many other retailers continue to join the trend around this time of year with mid-summer sales. But buyer beware: Busy shopping seasons are an opportunity for scammers to use phishing messages, fraudulent websites and fake social media ads to get consumers’ money or personal information. Online shopping has been the riskiest scam…
Read Full Article Summer 2023 is shaping up to be a big one for boaters headed to popular destinations like Table Rock Lake or Lake of the Ozarks. If you’re thinking of buying a boat this summer, make sure you’re prepared before you shop. Recreational boating has always been a favorite pastime of people who live near Missouri…
Read Full Article You’re probably familiar with how artificial intelligence can be used to generate text, but did you know AI can generate voices, too? BBB and organizations like the Federal Trade Commission are warning consumers about a new type of scam: fake calls, voicemails and voice messages generated by AI. Researchers at McAfee recently found that scammers need only three…
Read Full Article Peak real estate season is in full swing, and home inspectors are in high demand. An inspection is a critical step in buying a home. Home inspectors can uncover structural or mechanical issues that buyers need to discuss with the seller. However, finding a good home inspector can be intimidating. Licensing and certification requirements for…
Read Full Article Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, Zelle or CashApp are a convenient way to split checks, pay rent or purchase from small businesses. However, scammers are finding creative ways to get money from users. Unlike more traditional banking services, P2P payment apps are less likely to provide reimbursement for fraud – making the risk…
Read Full Article Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in June is a good time for older adults and their loved ones to take extra safeguards against scams and fraud. Older adults, especially those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, can be more susceptible to scams. Scam awareness is a complex mental task, and it’s harder for those who have a condition that…
Read Full Article November 24, 2024
MRN THIS WEEK: GARY FARHA
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