Don O'Brien
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…
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 — 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 — 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 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 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— 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 QUINCY — Finding a mechanic can be intimidating, especially for people unfamiliar with the inner workings of their car – but it’s a necessary part of keeping your vehicle running smoothly for years to come. Auto service is often costly, so working with a business you can trust is important. BBB received more than 9,600…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If someone you met online starts telling you they have a great investment opportunity or encouraging you to buy cryptocurrency, it should raise red flags – even if it’s someone you’ve been talking to for a long time. This scenario could be the start of an investment scam. Scammers often spend weeks or…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If you see a heart-wrenching post about a lost pet, a senior in need or a missing child on your Facebook feed, think twice before you share. It could be the setup for a bait-and-switch scam. Bait-and-switch scam posts are often made in local “buy and sell” Facebook groups that have limited administrative…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If you have a college student who just started classes, now’s a good time to talk about avoiding fraud while they’re on campus. One might be tempted to assume that scammers mostly go after older adults, but BBB’s 2023 Scam Tracker℠ Risk Report shows this isn’t necessarily the case. Young people are also…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As your kids get older, they’ll spend more time online. Now is a good time to start teaching them about protecting their personal information. Adults aren’t the only ones who can be targeted by a scam online: Children are at risk too. While Better Business Bureau does not collect information from people under…
Read Full Article Are you looking for a trustworthy tutor for your child this school year? Each student’s academic needs are unique, but many kids can benefit from having a tutor to help keep them motivated and learning. A wide variety of tutoring options are out there to personalize support to each student. Tutors can specialize in different…
Read Full Article QUINCY — What’s a verification code, and why are they so important? Six-digit verification codes are a form of two-factor authentication, a process that helps keep your important online accounts secure. For example, you might get a text message or email with a six-digit code that you must enter when you log into your bank…
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