Car advertising may focus on style, speed and brand, but it’s the initial price and costs of operating a vehicle that are the key interests for people car shopping, according to the results of a recent poll taken by the Better Business Bureau.

Price was the leading factor, with 29 percent of survey respondents picking it as their primary consideration. This was followed by gas mileage, stated by 17 percent, and costs of service and warranty, cited by another 12 percent. These economic factors totaled 58 percent of the concerns survey respondents had when looking for a new vehicle.

“Buying a vehicle is a major purchase an individual or family can make, so it is reassuring that economic considerations are primary for buyers,” said Kim States, BBB of Southern Arizona president. “Other factors, like looks and performance may be influences, but our poll shows it is dollar concerns that outweigh other factors.”

While the features of a new car were picked by 19 percent of the respondents as a consideration, they were outweighed by the cost issues by a three-to-one margin.  Also taking a backseat in car buying considerations were online ratings of dealers, selected by 9 percent as important; previous dealer relationship, 8 percent; and picking the same brand as a previous car, 6 percent.

Visit BBB’s website for more consumer tips at www.bbb.org

Fear of lost or stolen credit cards ranks as the highest identity theft concern among consumers. However, more serious and costly threats are considered less worrisome, according to a poll by the Better Business Bureau in August 2012.

Thirty percent of the respondents ranked credit card loss or theft as their greatest ID protection concern. Another 23 percent worried hackers would steal credit card and personal data from a business database. Rated least concerning, by 14 percent of those responding, was the disposal of personal papers in the garbage. Also low on the anxiety list was use of credit card information online (18 percent) or on the telephone (15 percent).

“Losing or having a credit card stolen is certainly a worry,” said Kim States, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona. “However, credit card companies have elaborate security programs to quickly stop credit access and limit consumer financial exposure to fraudulent use. On a rating scale, credit card loss is towards the less distressful end, though it should always be guarded against.”

States explained that consumers should be most worried about the material they have the most control over, their personal papers in the trash. Yet, he said, this was the area where the fewest expressed concern.

“Papers with personal data and credit card numbers on them can be a treasure trove of information for fraudsters, and a serious risk to consumers,” said States. “Shredding these types of documents is essential for any type of personal identity protection plan.

“Personal documents that are not shredded can be used without any safeguards or the consumer’s knowledge until the person’s credit score suffers or a bill appears from use of a credit card that the consumer never applied for.”

Hackers getting access to business databases is a growing concerning and one that will likely continue, States noted. However, businesses continue to take action and improve their security.

“Consumers need to take control over what they have their hands on,” urged States. “Guard credit cards and shred any documents with personal information. These are two actions every person can take to lessen the risk of their identity being stolen.”

For more consumer tips, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau has received calls from concerned people across the country who received a Census form in the mail that asked personal questions involving their income range and employment situation. BBB advises consumers that, while most will receive a short 10-question 2010 Census survey form, they should not be alarmed if they are chosen to respond to the 69-question American Community Survey (ACS) as well.

The 2010 Census form has 10 questions covering basic information while the ACS has 69 questions on topics such as income, household expenses, employment, education, and work commutes. Some individuals who received the ACS in addition to the 10 question form contacted their BBB over concerns that the form was actually the work of scammers.

“Everyone in the country has been prepped to expect the simple 10-question survey in their mailbox and red flags automatically go up when they receive the longer and more personal American Community Survey,” said Kim States, BBB President. “While the questions in the ACS might seem invasive, especially when compared to the 10-question form, responding to the survey is safe, important and required by law.”

BBB reminds consumers that the American Community Survey and the 2010 Census will never ask for donations or bank account, Social Security or credit card numbers. The Census Bureau may contact you by mail or phone, but will not send you unsolicited e-mails requesting sensitive personal information.

Following are a few answers to frequently asked questions to BBB about the American Community Survey:

How many addresses receive the ACS?

The ACS is sent to a random sample of approximately 3 million addresses per year, or approximately 250,000 each month of the year. This means that approximately 2.5 percent of the population will receive the ACS in any given year.

If I received both the 10-question survey and ACS do I need to respond to both?

If you receive both the 10-question form and the ACS, you are required by law to respond to both.

The questions seem to get personal, are my answers safe?

Responding to the ACS is safe and your personal information will not be shared with anyone, including other government agencies.

Why does the federal government need to ask me so many questions? In addition to needing population counts, communities need data about the well being of children, families, and the elderly to provide services to them. The information you provide on the ACS not only helps your community get its fair share of federal funds, but also to establish goals, identify problems and solutions, and measure the performance of programs.

I received a survey from the federal government, but it isn’t the ACS or the 2010 survey. Is it legit?

At any point in time the US Census Bureau distributes a number of different surveys to the American public and the topics and length vary. Before responding to a survey you received in the mail that claims to be with the Census Bureau, do your research on the Census Bureau’s Web site (“Are you in a survey?” Link) at www.census.gov/survey_participants/.

Who do I contact if I have questions or could use help filling out the ACS? If you need help completing your American Community Survey questionnaire or have other questions about the American Community Survey, please call 1-800-354-7271 for an English-speaking operator. If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, call 1-877-833-5625.