Online auctions can be a great place for finding deals at any time of year, but over the holidays such sites become hot spots for tracking down popular and hard-to-get gifts — such as new game consoles or must-have toys.  Better Business Bureau offers advice to shoppers on how to avoid getting ripped off when searching for bargains and hard-to-find presents through online auctions.

According to Jupiter Research, $38 billion will be spent on items auctioned through eBay alone in 2009.   For most buyers and sellers, the transaction is successful; however, online auctions can be fertile ground for scammers. In 2008 half of all complaints to the FBI related to online fraud were the result of online auction fraud and non-delivery of merchandise.

When bidding online for holiday gifts, BBB recommends that shoppers:

Find out how the auction site protects buyers and sellers from fraud. A responsible online auction site will take steps to protect both buyers and sellers from fraud. Find out what actions the auction site will take in your defense if you become a victim of an unscrupulous seller.

Compare the cost of the item elsewhere. Scammers will often price their items lower than the competition in order to lure in buyers. A lowball minimum bid for an item should be considered a red flag.

Research the seller. Online auction sites often provide the opportunity for buyers to rate sellers and provide feedback on the transaction. These reviews are a great way to determine the seller’s track record, but keep in mind that reviews are typically not authenticated and some sellers will pay for flattering reviews in order to mislead buyers. (continue reading…)

Have you ever wondered how to identify scams that arrive in your mailbox, or how to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive? Wonder no more!

Better Business Bureau offers these tip to help consumers stay clear of junk mail scams:

It’s likely a scam if:

• The junk mail says you’ve won money or a gift even if you haven’t entered a sweepstakes.
• You’re asked to send money in order to claim your prize.
• You’re asked to verify your social security number, bank or credit card information via email or over the phone.
• If you’re told you purchased a product in the past but don’t remember doing so.
• You’re promised a “free” government grant for personal use.
• You’re guaranteed a loan or credit card for a fee despite poor credit.

Some statistics on identity theft:

• According to a Javelin Strategy and Research survey on ID theft, there was a 22 percent increase from 2007 to 2008.
• Javelin estimates that 9.9 million Americans became victims of identity fraud last year, resulting in the loss of $48 billion.
• A growing number of these cases are the result of stolen junk mail. Pre-approved credit card offers, fliers and specially marked envelopes are not only a nuisance, they are an easy target for ID thieves.

Tips for reducing the amount of junk mail you receive:

1. Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers

· Pre-approved credit card offers are an easy target for identity thieves who can steal incoming mail and use these offers to open fraudulent credit accounts.

· Stopping these pre-screened credit offers can help reduce the chances of identity theft. (continue reading…)

Arizona Attorney General (AG), Terry Goddard, is warning consumers about a text message solicitation scam that’s making rounds in Arizona. The scam attempts to trick consumers into divulging their personal bank information, a scamming technique known as “phishing.”

The AG’s office reports that Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint customers have all received text messages from the scammers, who are posing as Credit Union West, a Glendale-based credit union.

The text messages inform consumers that their bank account has been suspended due unusual activity and provides a phone number for the consumer to call so they can gain access to their account. Once consumers call the number they would presumably be asked for personal banking information, which would later be used to steal money from the their account.

Better Business Bureau has learned that this scam is not limited to just text messages, an email version of it exists as well. This email appeared earlier today in the inbox of a BBB staff member:

In order to protect your account from unauthorized access, we have set a limit of 3 unsuccessful attempts.

Unfortunately, you have just reached that critical number of attempts, so your access to Online Banking has been locked for security purposes.

Please download the form attached to this email and open it in a web browser.

Once opened, you will be provided with steps to restore your account access.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure account safety.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC

Of course we didn’t download the attachment that came with the email because we don’t enjoy sharing our personal banking information with scammers, and there’s a chance the attachment could be a virus that will infect your computer and steal your identity. Consumers should always use extreme caution when giving out any personal information, especially over the phone or online.

The AG’s office offered these tips to help consumers avoid becoming victims of phishing scams:

• Be wary of text messages or phone calls that request personal information. If you do not know who is making the request, delete the message or hang up.
• Do not give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers or credit card numbers, to anyone you do not know.
• If you receive a call asking for personal information, hang up and call your financial institution to verify that the request is valid.
• Report any suspicious calls to the Attorney General’s Office at (602)542-5763

For more information, or if you think you may be a vicitm of a phishing scam  visit BBB online, or call (520)888-5353.

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace can be helpful to those trying to stay in touch with friends or reconnect with former classmates.  They serve as a platform for instant messaging, status updates, and interactive applications within the sites.

Applications are created by other users and include games, quizzes, and ranking systems.  Before clicking on the button indicating you agree with terms and conditions of an application, check out what type of information will be collected for it to work properly.

Even though information provided to networking sites is private, some applications access that information to operate.  If an application takes you to a new page, note the page’s domain name.  Don’t give up your password if the domain name is questionable.

On Twitter, many users recently became victims of phishing scams, during which they were asked to log into their accounts with their personal login and password.  Days later, these victims were notified by followers that they’d attempted to sell them iPhones or invited them to watch a funny YouTube video that didn’t exist.

Before logging on to Twitter and other sites, make sure the address at the top of the screen is legitimate.   If you use the same password for all of your social networking accounts, consider changing them to make your accounts tougher to hack.

Individuals across the country are looking for ways to help support the victims and families affected by last week’s tragedy at Fort Hood. Initially, supporters were encouraged to donate blood to help victims. As options for monetary donations in support of victims and their families become available, it is important to understand exactly where and how those funds will be used.

Better Business Bureau wants to remind consumers that while there are many opportunities to provide support, there may be misleading or malicious solicitors seeking to take advantage of national headlines and generous individuals. BBB offers the following tips for give wise giving:

• Be cautious of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do.
• If you contribute, do not give cash. Make a check or money order out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
• Watch out for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations or requests to send a “runner” to pick up your donation.
• Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs. Ask how much of your gift will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward other programs and administrative and fundraising costs.

BBB’s Charity Resources Web site provides additional information and tips to help donors give wisely.

Officials at Fort Hood have announced the following opportunities for the public to donate to various agencies on the installation honoring the Soldiers and family members affected by the mass shooting on post last week:

Fort Hood Chaplain’s Fund

Checks can be mailed to:
Chaplain’s Fund Office
Bldg 44, 761st Tank Battalion Avenue
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5000

Checks should be made payable to “CTOF” (Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund) with a note on the memo line stating “Nov. 5 Tragedy.”

Fort Hood Fisher House

Fisher House
Bldg 36015
Fisher Lane
Ft Hood Texas 76544
Call (254) 286-7927 or (254)286-7929 for more information.

Local Chapter – American Red Cross

Killeen Red Cross
208 W. Ave. A,
Killeen, Texas 76541
Phone (254) 200-4400 or visit their website: www.waco.redcross.org

USO Fort Hood
USO Fort Hood
Building # 1871, 50th St.
Fort Hood, Texas, 76544
Phone: (254) 768-2771 or visit their website at www.uso.org

To check the reliability of a charity or business, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.

The holiday season is often one of the busiest times of the year for charitable giving, and as you might expect scammers will be coming out of the wood-works to try and take advantage of consumers’ generosity.

While most charities provide and important service, many are set up for no other reason than to deceive and rip people off. Charity scammers use a number of techniques to make themselves appear legitimate, but rely heavily on making seemingly heartfelt emotional appeals to their victims.

Yesterday Arizona Attorney General, Terry Goddard, issued a series of tips for consumers who plan on giving to charity in the coming months. The tips are as follows:

• Do not pay bills or invoices you have received from charities unless you know you have already made a commitment to support them.
• Be skeptical of anyone asking for a donation by requesting your credit card number or bank account information over the phone unless you already donate to that charity.
• Don’t be shy about asking what percentage of your donation will go directly to the charity versus what percentage will go toward administrative costs.
• Remember to ask for a receipt and a statement that the contribution is tax deductible.
• Call the Secretary of State’s Office at (602) 542-4285 or visit their Web site, www.azsos.gov, to make sure the charity is registered with the Secretary of State.  A charity that operates without such registration is violating the law and should be a red flag for consumers. Be aware, however, that registration with the Secretary of State does not ensure that all of the charity’s activities are legitimate.

Consumers can visit www.tucson.bbb.org or call (520)888-5353 for a Wise Giving Report on any charity they plan on giving to.

Better Business Bureau has released its second consumer alert today concerning Southwest Youth Sports (SYS), a youth sports league here in Tucson. BBB is recommending that consumers check SYS’s BBB Reliability Report before signing their kids up for one of SYS’s leagues.

BBB has received 27 complaints since Jan. 1 2009, but has not received a response to five of those complaints. Most complainants claim to have never received a refund despite being promised one by SYS, often for months on end. Complainants typically are requesting refunds of $60-$150, depending on how many children they registered.

In June, BBB issued an alert concerning SYS’s high volume of unanswered complaints, and began working with SYS Director, Charles Sommers, to resolve previously unanswered complaints. Since that time BBB has not received responses to five complaints filed against the company in June and August.

According to its Website, SYS offers baseball, tee-ball, basketball, football, soccer, and cheerleading to children ages 5-14. The organization’s reach covers much of the Tucson area including, Marana, Vail, Sahuarita, Catalina Foothills, and Oro Valley.

This past Monday Tom McNamara of KVOA took a closer look (link is to text article; video is not yet available) at SYS and made some interesting discovery’s.

The FBI has issued a warning to businesses and job-seekers to beware of fraudulent online money transfers being processed in their name. The FBI says the fraud is executed by infecting personal and business computers with a virus in order to steal personal information, which is later used to carry out the fraudulent money transfers. 

Consumers should remember to never open an unknown attachment in an email and to be extremely wary when clicking on links in emails from unknown entities. Never under any circumstances should businesses or consumers divulge personal bank account information in an email.

Remember, if you’re ever unsure about an offer, suspicious email, or company, the friendly staff at BBB is just a phone call or mouse click away: 520-888-5353, www.tucson.bbb.org,  info@tucson.bbb.org.

The FBI alert is as following:

“FBI ALERT Courtesy of your Local BBB- Fraudulent Money Transfers Connected to Malware and Work-at-Home Scams:

The FBI is reporting a significant increase in fraud involving the exploitation of valid online banking credentials belonging to small and medium businesses, municipal governments, and school districts this year. In a typical scenario, the victim receives an e-mail which either contains an infected attachment, or directs the recipient to an infected website. Once the recipient opens the attachment or visits the website, malware is installed on their computer, and steals the recipient’s business or corporate bank account login information. Shortly thereafter, the perpetrator either creates another user account with the stolen login information or begins transferring funds as the legitimate user.

These transfers have occurred as both wire and as ACH transactions to the bank accounts of willing or unwitting individuals that have been recruited by the scammers through bogus work at home advertisements. The scammers often target individuals that have placed resumes on well known job search sites. These persons are hired and told that they are to “process payments,” or transfer funds received into their bank accounts, and immediately forward most of the money overseas via wire transfer services such as Western Union and Moneygram.

Businesses are urged to never respond to e-mail requests for personal or bank account information, and do not click Web site links received in unsolicited e-mail messages. Bogus sites are designed to look nearly identical to the real ones; however, there are usually slight variations, such as ending in “.net” when it should be “.com.” Notify the real company, financial institution or government agency if you receive questionable correspondence and contact them using a phone number or e-mail address from a reliable, public directory such as a phonebook. Individuals that have been offered work at home opportunities should contact BBB to determine the legitimacy of the offer.”

Following the success of the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government recently announced the creation of a similar rebate program for consumers looking to purchase new energy-efficient appliances. While many of the details of the program are still yet to be determined, Better Business Bureau offers the following guidance to consumers who might be interested in taking advantage of the program.

The federal government has set aside $300 million from the stimulus package to fund the new cash for appliances program. The intended benefit of the program is twofold. The first goal is to provide another way to stimulate the economy in an industry that has seen a 15 percent drop in sales, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

The second goal is to increase energy efficiency in households by replacing old appliances with newer “greener” ones. According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, the typical household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills but could save over one-third or about $700 per year by making the switch to ENERGY STAR products.

ENERGY STAR standards are set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency and help consumers identify energy-efficient products in 60 different categories including appliances, windows and doors, heating and cooling equipment and water heaters. In 2008, about 55 percent of new major household appliances had the ENERGY STAR seal.

“Replacing older appliances with more energy efficient models will not only help the environment and provide a little boost to the economy, it will also have a positive impact on a homeowner’s bottom line when the energy bills come in month after month,” said Kim States, BBB President.

Following are a few details on the evolving cash for appliances program.

Program implementation will vary by state. The implementation of the program and distribution of rebates will occur at the state level. Every state must submit a plan that specifies which appliance categories will be included in its own program, the amount of rebates for each appliance and a plan for recycling old appliances.

DOE estimates that the $300 million set aside will be awarded to states for their programs by the end of November, and consumers should see the rebate programs implemented in late 2009 or early 2010.

Qualifying appliances will vary by State. States will decide which ENERGY STAR qualified appliances are eligible for a rebate. The DOE is encouraging states to focus on awarding rebates for heating and cooling equipment, appliances and water heaters.

No trade-in will be required. Unlike the Cash For Clunkers program, wherein participants had to hand over their old car and the clunker was sent to the scrap heap, participants in cash for appliances don’t have to exchange an older appliance for a new one.
Stay tuned for updates. Southern Arizona consumers should visit the Arizona energy department’s Web site for updates on program implementation. More information from the federal government is available at http://www.energy.gov/recovery/

Take advantage of additional programs now. If you can’t wait to purchase a new appliance, you can still take advantage of other programs. Both the federal government and many state governments already provide tax credits for purchasing energy efficient appliances. Also, more than 25 states have recycling programs for appliances.  The Database for State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org) provides a state-by-state breakdown of local incentives and policies for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For more BBB advice you can trust on how to be a savvy consumer, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is alerting consumers to Creative Synergy Training (CST), a work-at-home company with Arizona ties, that claims it can show consumers a “risk free” way to make money using Google.

Since September 27, BBB has received 10 complaints from consumers claiming CTS charged their credit cards after they requested their account be canceled within the 3-day window the company gives consumers to cancel their account and receive a refund. In the complaints consumers are requesting refunds of $129.99-$149.99.

CTS’s mailing address is a Postnet mailbox located at 29834 N Cave Creek Rd STE 118 PMB 323 Cave Creek, AZ 85321. BBB has not been able to determine the physical location of the company. CTS’s Web site was registered by a proxy service in Scottsdale last June.

Nationally, BBB has been inundated with complaints about Web sites that are trading on the Google name to scam people. Because the sites often use the Google name and prominently display its iconic logo, consumers often assume they are getting a job with Google when in fact they were getting taken in by yet another work-at-home scheme.

Before signing up for any work-at-home opportunity, BBB advises job hunters to:

• Review the business’s BBB Reliability Report® at bbb.org to see if BBB reports complaints or other concerns you need to consider.
• Beware of any offer that guarantees a lot of money for little effort and no experience.
• Thoroughly read the Web site’s terms and conditions, keeping in mind that a free trial could cost you in the end.
• Be wary of work-at-home offers that use logos from Google, Twitter or other prominent online businesses. Just because Google is in the name, it doesn’t mean the business is affiliated with Google.
• Research the Web site with Whois.net or a similar site for determining domain name ownership. If the site is anonymous or individually registered, beware.

For more advice on evaluating work-at-home companies and schemes, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.