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09/22/2009
BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas invites consumers and businesses to take steps towards preventing identity theft and promoting recycling efforts. BBB’s Shred Day will offer free on-site shredding services in Austin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi on October 10, 2009 from 9am to 1pm.
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09/17/2009
36 million, or one-third of U.S. households currently rent according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Many prospective renters find homes through online classifieds, but some consumers are being set up by scammers. Better Business Bureau warns to be on the lookout for phony ads on Craigslist and other Internet services aimed at stealing money from unsuspecting renters.
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09/11/2009
With Cash for Clunkers over and many families on tight budgets, making timely vehicle payments can sometimes become overwhelming. Unfortunately, vehicle repossessions are on the rise and having a car repossessed hinders more than just a car owner’s mobility. It has a severe impact on credit scores which limits the ability to get loans or credit cards for up to seven years. Better Business Bureau advises troubled car owners on how to avoid losing their vehicle and their good credit standing.
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09/09/2009
With record-setting afternoon temperatures continuing, some areas of Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas are facing new water restrictions. In addition to the time constraints on watering outside lawns and plants, consumers need to be aware of water efficient upgrades available for their homes that can save money.
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09/02/2009
With the school year in full swing for most families and college students, now is the time many consumers are looking for a new computer. Advances in technology make even the latest computer models obsolete in a few months, but knowing when and how to select the right computer can save consumers money and time spent in the electronics section.
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08/25/2009
It’s time to head back to school for many students and Better Business Bureau is warning consumers against online programs that offer fast and easy high school diplomas or college degrees. As millions struggle to find a job, earning a diploma or an advanced degree is one way to stand out from the crowd, but some students found out the hard way that the diploma they thought they earned online wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on.
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08/18/2009
The summer break for students and parents is almost over and a familiar welcome event this weekend is seeing a few changes. The 11th annual Tax-Free Weekend or Sales Tax Holiday begins this Friday, August 21st and runs until Sunday August 23rd. The major change this year involves a number of school supplies being added to the tax exemption list making this weekend even more of a back-to-school shopping opportunity for consumers.
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08/13/2009
Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas warns consumers about a local company making big promises. BBB investigations indicate the company may be an illegal pyramid scheme.
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08/12/2009
Better Business Bureau is issuing an alert about phony debt collectors calling consumers nationwide and claiming they have defaulted on a payday loan and will be arrested if they don’t pay immediately. Claiming to be lawyers, the scammers say they are with the “Financial Accountability Association” or the “Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans” and are equipped with a surprising amount of personal information about their potential victims.
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08/07/2009
As the unemployment rate rises, so does the threat of scams targeting job seekers. Better Business Bureau warns job hunters to be extremely cautious in their search for work because scammers are out to take advantage of them and make a fast buck.
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08/06/2009
In late June, President Obama signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) or Cash for Clunkers program. CARS provides a rebate for consumers who trade in qualifying gas guzzlers for more energy efficient cars. Unfortunately, even before the program began, scammers were attempting to exploit it and Better Business Bureau offers the following guidance for car shoppers on how to participate in the program and avoid getting scammed.
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08/05/2009
The allure of getting something for free can be very tempting for consumers striving to save every penny in this soft economy. However, consumer complaints against Arvada, Colorado Internet-based Global Nutrition Sciences (GNS Inc.) illustrate a need for consumers to do their research before finding out what they signed up for, isn’t what they are going to get.
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07/31/2009
Scams involving fake checks come in many different forms and can be very hard to identify as the printing technology used by scammers improves. Experts estimate that billions of dollars have been lost as the result of fake check scams and Better Business Bureau offers advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.
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07/29/2009
Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely cautious when answering the door to traveling alarm system salespersons. BBB has received complaints from homeowners across Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas who were subjected to high-pressure sales tactics and felt deceived by the salesperson into buying an expensive alarm system.
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07/23/2009
Purchasing an extended warranty or service contract for your prized possessions (your home, your car, and your expensive appliances) in case they are damaged can bring a consumer peace of mind. But that peace of mind can be broken into little pieces if a consumer purchases that contract from the wrong company.
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