Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is joining with over 60 federal, state, and local government agencies, and national organizations to promote consumer education during the 15th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 3-9.

“We’re very excited to be a part of National Consumer Protection Week,” said Kim States, BBB President. “This week is all about teaching consumers the tools to make smarter purchasing decisions, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.”

Each weekday during NCPW, BBB will issue a consumer protection tip via its Facebook page- www.facebook.com/soazbbb- on a variety of consumer related issues, such as credit and debit cards, buying a car, giving wisely to charity and other important marketplace issues. Consumers are more than welcome to offer their input or pose any questions they might have about each tip on BBB’s Facebook page.

One of BBB’s many partners in NCPW, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), recently issued its Consumer Sentinel Network Report for 2012. The FTC uses data from 27 federal and state law enforcement agencies, and a host of private entities- including BBB- to create the report. Some of the 2012 report’s findings included:

• Arizona ranks eighth in the U.S. in fraud complaints, and eighth in identity theft complaints.
• The Sierra Vista-Douglas metro area ranks 12^th in the country for consumer fraud complaints.
• Arizona consumers filed 33,434 fraud complaints and 7,032 identity theft complaints last year with BBB, the FTC, and other law enforcement agencies.
• The top three national complaint categories in 2012 were: identity theft, debt collection, and complaints about banks and lenders.
• Nationally, consumers reported losing more than $1.4 billion to fraud in 2012.

To read the entire 2012 Consumer Sentinel Network Report visit www.ftc.gov. For more information about National Consumer Protection Week visit www.ncpw.gov.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), and Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is marking the occasion by calling attention to the many ways the elderly are victimized in southern Arizona, and throughout the world.

BBB receives hundreds of phone calls each year from senior citizens who have been targeted or victimized by scammers. These can range from common scams such as bogus travel deals or lottery schemes to outright financial fraud.

“Southern Arizona is an attractive destination for retirees and according to 2009 Census Data, more than 15 percent of Pima County’s population is 65 or older,” said Kim States, BBB President. “One of the more common types of abuse that BBB often hears about is financial fraud.”

Financial elder abuse occurs when seniors’ banking or credit accounts are exploited by scammers who take advantage of the vulnerabilities sometimes associated with age, explains States.

What makes the crime particularly frightening is that in most cases the abuse is carried out by someone the senior knows, such as a family member, caregiver or friend.

“Many victims do not realize they have been taken advantage of,” said States. “Or if they do know, they may not want to tell anyone due to embarrassment or fear of losing what independence they may have.”

Unfortunately financial elder abuse can be difficult to identify. If often takes a caring family member, friend or caregiver to recognize that fraud has occurred. These are some signs to look for:

• Belongings or property is missing
• Unusual bank account activity
• Complaints from seniors that they can suddenly not afford normal purchases
• Suspicious stories about people that normally wouldn’t be involved in personal affairs now being involved
• Unnecessary purchases (often big-ticket items)
• Sudden changes to Power of Attorney or will
• Sudden interest in an investment or business opportunity
• Claims they have won a prize, lottery or vacation
• Numerous unpaid bills or bounced checks

If you or someone you know might be a victim of Elder Abuse contact your local law enforcement agency or the Arizona Attorney General’s Taskforce Against Senior Abuse at (602) 542-2124 or SeniorAbuse@azag.gov.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is expanding its Charity Review Program in 2011, making it easier for charities to participate in the program and for consumers to learn more about local charities before they donate.

“Today more than ever nonprofit donors and the public expect complete transparency,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Lack of information can create distrust, which means potential donors may decide not so support a charity they don’t know anything about.”

BBB Wise Giving of Southern Arizona reviews charities according to standards for governance and oversight, internal controls, and the efficiency and transparency of their finances and fundraising.

Donors can be confident in giving to charities that meet the review standards for many reasons, such as knowing that BBB Accredited Charities are spending at least 65 percent of their total revenue on programs and services.

In the past year BBB received more than 3,000 inquiries about local charities. If a charity meets all of BBB’s Wise Giving Standards they can become a BBB Accredited Charity, letting inquiring donors know they’re credible, transparent and accountable.

A charity that successfully completes the review process can:

• Become a BBB Accredited Charity
• Establish its accountability
• Build donor confidence
• Gain visibility

Southern Arizona charities are encouraged to submit information to BBB. The agency is making it easier for charities to participate by launching an online evaluation system in the coming months, which will allow charities to quickly and easily submit their information online.

There is no charge to charities for evaluation, and BBB charity reports are available for free online at www.tucson.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews. For more information, contact Deb Prince at 520-888-6161, or e-mail dprince@tucson.bbb.org.