The start of a new year is a great time to resolve to be a smarter, safer consumer. Better Business Bureauhas 10 resolutions for 2012 that can help you fight scammers, prevent identity theft and save money:

1. Always check out a business with BBB.  Nearly 9,500 local businesses meet BBB standards and are qualified to use the BBB Accredited Business seal. Check with your BBB to find Business Reviews for more than 100,000 local businesses.

2. Get everything in writing. Do not just take a company’s word for it. Get every verbal agreement in writing to limit miscommunication and misunderstandings later.

3. Always read the fine print. The details are always in the fine print. Take time to read through all contracts, paperwork and documents in their entirety before signing anything. This will ensure that you know what is expected and fully agree to what you’re signing.

4. Be skeptical of “job offers” that promise easy money. With a high national unemployment rate, scammers are targeting people desperate to find a job. Beware of any job offer, work-at-home (more…)

Everyone is looking for ways to pinch pennies and collective buying Web sites are becoming an extremely popular option to save on goods and services from local businesses. Before signing up for the next big deal, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recommends researching all businesses involved and reading the fine print thoroughly.

Collective buying sites have become increasingly popular in a short amount of time. Groupon.com, which is a BBB Accredited Business, is one of the pioneers of collective buying and has 2.6 million subscribers. According to Groupon, they have made 1.8 million transactions that saved shoppers 85 million in their relatively short history.

Collective buying sites typically offer one deal every day such as for products or gift cards redeemable at local businesses—including restaurants, retail stores and spas. If enough people sign up to buy it, they’ll get it at a significant discount. If not enough people are interested, the deal is canceled and no one is charged.

“Collective buying is a great way for businesses to attract new customers and for savvy consumers to land a great deal.” said Nick LaFleur, BBB spokesperson. “It can be a win-win situation for everyone involved as long as the customer does their research and understands all of the restrictions and stipulations.”

Before signing up for a deal on a collective buying Web site, BBB recommends that online shoppers:

Check every business with BBB. Not only do you want to research the collective buying Web site with BBB, you also want to research the business that is offering the deal. Look for the BBB Accredited Business seal on both Web sites and only go with businesses that have a good rating with BBB.

Buy what you will use. While the idea of skydiving at half the usual cost sounds like a great deal, if you aren’t actually going to go through with it, you’re wasting your money.  Focus on items and services you’ll use from stores and locations that are close by. If you experience buyer’s remorse, you might not have a way to get your money back.

Read the fine print—all of it. Don’t assume that every deal is like the next. The fine print on every offer is going to be different because every business has a different policy when it comes to eligibility, expiration dates, refunds, and black-out dates. Read the terms and conditions on the collective buying Web site, the specific terms and conditions listed with the offer and seek out the fine print on the business’s own Web site as well.

For more advice on being a savvy online shopper, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.