In the wake of several tragic deaths, and other crimes across the country involving transactions initiated through Craigslist, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is advising consumers’ to practice caution when using the online service, and others like it.

“There are certainly deals to be found online, but it’s good for both buyers and sellers to remember they’re usually dealing with people unfamiliar to them,” said Kim States, BBB President. “There are risks involved and we feel it’s very important that people take the time to pause and consider both their personal and financial security.”

Here are some basic tips from BBB in regard to using sites like Craigslist:

• Try to deal with local buyers and sellers.
• Never wire funds.
• Use caution when using an escrow service – make sure it’s reputable by checking them out at (more…)

When salesmen knock on your door, they could represent any number of different legitimate products and services such as magazines, cleaning supplies, home alarm systems and even frozen meat and poultry. They might also be itinerant workers who are offering a low-ball estimate to fix your roof or repave your driveway. Regardless of what they are selling, protect your home and your wallet by confirming their credentials.

BBB recommends being cautious of a door to door salesperson or itinerant worker if they:

Use high pressure sales tactics. A reputable salesman will give you time to think through the deal and make an appointment to return at a later date. Watch out if you’re asked to sign up immediately before you do your research. Do not give in to high-pressure sales tactics—even if the deal supposedly won’t last long or the salesperson is aggressive—it’s worth it to stop and think it over first.

Offer a deal that sounds too good to be true. Some salesmen might offer an extremely good price for their products or services. The adage holds true that you get what you pay for and many people have been quickly disappointed when the products didn’t live up to the hype or the company did a shoddy job.
Fail to follow federal law. Federal law requires that if you purchase more than $25 in goods, the salesperson must inform you of your rights to cancel within three business days. Called the “cooling off” rule, these rights are typically included with the company’s contact information on the receipt or contract.

Work for a company with a poor rating from your BBB. Before you break out your checkbook, always check the company out with your BBB first to see how many complaints they’ve received in addition to BBB’s overall rating.

Finally, pay with a check or credit card—rather than cash—in order to take advantage of the consumer protections provided.

Whether you’re interested in a modeling career, just want to make a few extra bucks or you think your child might have a future in acting or modeling, be on the lookout for scammers. The Better Business Bureau warns that some modeling agencies are just trying to make a fast buck and don’t deliver on promises of fame and fortune.

In the last three years, would-be models have researched agencies with the BBB more than half a million times. Unfortunately, BBB also received more than 2,000 complaints from people who feel they were misled by an agency into paying large upfront fees—often for headshots and portfolios—and received little or no modeling or acting work in return.

“Modeling can be a great way to supplement your income, but signing up with a deceptive talent agency can be a waste of time and money or, in the worst case scenario, put you in physical danger,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Even if the agency tells you that you have ‘the look’, always take the time to do your research and don’t fall for empty promises.”

Common complaints to BBB about talent and modeling agencies often come from would-be models or parents who think their kids have star potential. Typically, they are told they need to pay upfront fees—such as for headshots—after which the agency will start finding them work. Complainants report that despite paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars in various upfront fees, the agency found them few, if any, jobs.

In an extreme example of a modeling agency opportunity gone horribly wrong, the BBB in Louisville has received complaints from local men who paid hundreds of dollars in upfront fees—or became indebted for these fees—to Models Today in exchange for the promise of landing modeling jobs. Instead, the young men stated that the owner, Russell Claxon, took shirtless photos of them in a park and never set them up with any jobs. Several complaints to BBB made reference to solicitation for (more…)