Don O'Brien
QUINCY — You may be making plans to clean up the physical clutter in your house this spring, but what about the digital clutter on your phone or computer? 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…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Spring weather might inspire you to get started on home improvement projects you couldn’t complete during the winter months. Hiring the right contractor is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your project goes smoothly. BBB commonly receives reports from consumers who paid a deposit for home improvement…
Read Full Article QUINCY — If you’re looking to buy a car online, make sure you do your research first. BBB has received reports from consumers who have come across fake cars listed on online marketplaces, or even fake websites that imitate licensed sellers. BBB just released an update to a 2020 study about online car buying scams.…
Read Full Article As you and your family plan for warmer weather and all the summer fun that comes with it, make sure you vet potential summer camps for your kids carefully. Summer camp is a safe environment for kids to develop social skills, grow a bit of independence and experience the outdoors. At a top-quality camp, parents…
Read Full Article QUINCY — SAT and ACT scores are a big deal, and high school students and their families invest significant time and money into preparing for these college admissions tests. Scammers know this, and BBB has received reports of scammers taking advantage of students by tricking their families into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Can you recognize AI-made content when you see it? Edited images and videos are nothing new, but generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are making it faster and easier for people to create text, images and videos from scratch. Some experts are predicting a wave of AI content in scams as generative AI programs…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Planning to go see the upcoming total solar eclipse? Be wary of scams when you’reshopping for eclipse glasses and lodging. The path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse will cut through southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Great American Eclipse estimates that between 43,000 and 172,000 people will travel to Missouri and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Couples who got engaged during the holidays are likely to spend spring in a whirlwind of wedding planning, attending wedding expos, bridal shows and consultations. The last thing anyone needs during this stressful wedding planning process is to deal with a business that can’t deliver on its promises. BBB often receives complaints about…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It’s tough to keep track of your info in an increasingly connected world. As we rely more on online services for daily activities, it’s more important than ever to be in control of your data. Quite a bit of personal information is already shared on the internet by cell phones, tablets, laptops or…
Read Full Article QUINCY — No one likes doing their taxes, but filing early may help you avoid tax fraud this year. Tax scams are among the types of fraud most frequently reported to BBB, and scammers often impersonate the IRS. Their goal is either to get your personal information for tax identity theft or to trick you…
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QUINCY — Better Business Bureau Quincy welcomed two new Advisory Board members to its ranks, effective Jan. 1. “Our new board members share BBB’s commitment to making sure Quincy is a great place to live, give and do business,” Don O’Brien, BBB Quincy Regional Director, said in a press release. “I look forward to working…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Success stories in ads for online dating services can make it sound like true love is just a click (or swipe) away. But all dating services have their limitations – and costs. Plenty of people find happiness using a dating website or app, but some may end up disappointed in the number or…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Taxes can be complicated. If you’ve experienced major life changes, own a business or simply want reassurance that your taxes are being done properly, it might make sense to seek the guidance of a professional tax preparer. You’ll need to trust your tax preparer with your finances and sensitive personal information, so it’s…
Read Full Article QUINCY — On New Year’s Day 2024, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake and aftershocks hit Ishikawa prefecture in western Japan, leaving at least 62 dead and causing serious damage. Donors wishing to support relief efforts in Japan should look for trusted, experienced organizations that are transparent about how donations will be used. It’s important to do…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Happy New Year! Your New Year’s resolutions might be financial, career or health goals, butlet’s resolve to be scam-free this year, too. The best way to protect yourself all year long is to know the signs of scams and fraud. Each year, BBB publishes its Scam Tracker Risk Report, an analysis of the…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Returns are rarely fun or convenient, especially in the rush after the holidays. Insider Intelligence predicts that U.S. retail returns will total more than $625 billion this year, and more than half of small to medium retail businesses anticipate they will receive more returns this year than in 2022. Stores have unique return…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Throughout the holiday season, many people travel to visit friends and loved ones or enjoy a winter vacation. According to Deloitte’s 2023 holiday survey, nearly half of Americans intend to travel for the holidays in 2023, up from last year. Travelers also reported they had fewer concerns about health, finances and flight delays…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As the holiday shopping season kicks off, so do holiday scams. Gift card scams are one of the most popular methods scammers used, and they’re becoming more common. Fraud reports to BBB Scam Tracker involving gift cards as a form of payment spiked in the first three quarters of 2023, up 50 percent…
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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…
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 — 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 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…
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November 24, 2024
MRN THIS WEEK: GARY FARHA
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