Mobile giving is quickly becoming a critical tool for charities to raise much-needed funds, especially when disaster strikes. In order to give donors the most trustworthy and safe option for quick “text to give” donations, the Mobile Giving Foundation has joined forces with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to create the BBB Mobile Giving Foundation, a co-branded effort to grow the mobile giving channel, strengthen mobile giving industry standards and accountability, assure donor confidence, and reinforce nonprofit acceptance of the mobile giving medium.

“For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has led the way for businesses to create and maintain the most trustworthy relationships with the public,” said Carrie A. Hurt, CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “This partnership extends that mission to one of the most exciting and forward-thinking advances in technology, which is providing a critical new means for donors to safely and securely support the important work of charities.”

“The BBB Wise Giving Alliance has the highest accountability standards of any charity review organization,” notes MGF founder Jim Manis. “We chose to partner with them in order to assure donors that their mobile giving donations were going to highly accountable charities that have been thoroughly evaluated against those rigorous standards.”

“The Mobile Giving Foundation pioneered the concept of mobile giving,” said Art Taylor, President of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, “and has consistently been the industry leader in both technology and in understanding the vital importance of donor security and privacy. This partnership will strengthen both organizations, which is a win for donors and a win for charities.”
Mobile giving has also proven to be an entryway to philanthropy for younger consumers, with many making their first charitable donation via their cell phone following one of the recent disasters. The partnership will help engage budding young philanthropists while offering charities a safe and reliable platform to assist in their fundraising efforts.

Most cellular carriers participate in MGF and welcomed the news. “We’re pleased to see the creation of this alliance,” said Marquett Smith, vice president of corporate communications for Verizon Wireless. “It provides consumers additional information as they make giving decisions.” Verizon Wireless was one of the original companies to join with MGF in providing mobile giving options to consumers. Other companies currently offering the service are AT&T Mobility, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, US Cellular, Cricket Communications, Cincinnati Bell and C Spire. All make the service available at no charge to donors or charities.

The partnership is good news to the charity community, as well. “With dynamic enhancements in technology providing more and easier charitable giving options than ever before, donors need to know they can give with confidence,” says John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer (more…)

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning magazine subscribers of Publishers Billing Exchange (PBE) after several hundred consumers allege non-delivery and refund issues.

Complainants typically allege the company mails solicitations resembling bills to consumers who are already subscribers to national publications. Some consumers pay the company believing they are paying the actual publisher. When consumers realize they renewed through a third party and paid more than what the publisher charges, they cancel their orders and allegedly experience difficulty obtaining a refund. In some cases, complainants claim they never received the ordered publication.

Some companies have posted notices on their websites stating they will not honor subscriptions purchased through the company. PBE claims they have contracted with a clearing house to sell the subscriptions.

The company currently has an “F” rating with Better Business Bureau serving Northern Nevada for failing to responds to ten complaints. In total, the company has generated 353 complaints in the past year. In some cases, the company responded to complaints by offering a full or partial refund.

The Nevada address given to consumers is believed to be a mail drop along with addresses in Sierra Madre, CA; La Habra, CA; and White City, OR.  BBB lists more than 20 names for the company including Lakeshore Publishing Service, Publishers Network Exchange and Global Publishers Center.

“Solicitations like PBE’s make it important for consumers to read the fine print before agreeing to anything,” said Kim States, BBB President. “In this case, it is stated that the solicitation is not a bill, but it’s not stated as required by federal law and is still misleading consumers.”

United States Postal Inspection Service requires businesses mailing solicitations resembling bills or invoices to include specific disclaimers identifying it as a solicitation in at least 30 point font. The solicitation reviewed by BBB, dated September 27, 2010, did not comply with federal law.

BBB recommends verifying all invoices, bills or statements that are out of the ordinary by reading the fine print and speaking to the company directly.

With gasoline prices climbing throughout Arizona, and expected to soon top $5.00 per gallon in some parts of the country, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning consumers to be wary of gas-saving claims that empty your wallet, instead of saving you fuel.

Although there are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, many websites make unbelievable claims for various aftermarket automotive devices (fuel-line magnets, air bleed devices and retrofit gadgets) and oil and gasoline additives that supposedly increase gas mileage for automobiles. The Federal Trade Commission found many of these claims to be either false or overly exaggerated.

Angela Pratt, co-owner of Dan’s Toy Shop in Tucson said they have had customers come to their shop with various aftermarket devices on their cars.

“Usually what happens is the device restricts airflow to the engine, and the check engine light comes on as a consequence,” Pratt told BBB. “As far as helping gas mileage, it either doesn’t do anything or could even make it worse.”

Pratt said that if consumer’s want better gas mileage the best thing to do is use a higher octane gas, noting that drivers with six and eight cylinder engines would more than make up for the extra cost of the gas with improved mileage.

Pratt said that drivers who place aftermarket devices on their cars to save gas are fighting a losing battle.

“The newer vehicles are electronically tuned to get maximum gas mileage” she said. “Even the smallest alterations can throw a car’s computer system off.”

Before adding any fuel savings device to your vehicle, check with your mechanic. You may end up with a voided manufacturer’s warranty and serious engine problems by adding after market devices to your engine.

What you spend at the pump is influenced by how you drive and what type of gasoline you use to fill your tank. As we reach the peak of summer travel, here are some tips on what you can do to save fuel consumption:

Keep your engine tuned. Studies have shown that a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent depending on a car’s condition. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual; you will save fuel and your car will run better and last longer.

Don’t let your engine run at idle any longer than necessary. An engine actually warms up (more…)