Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning of a new scam that is sweeping the nation by claiming President Obama will pay your utility bills through a new federal program. Customers of utility business FirstEnergy Corp. have reported the scam, and several other energy companies issued warnings to their customers about it.

How the Scam Works:

Consumers have been contacted in person and through fliers, social media and text messages with claims that President Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills.

To receive the money, scammers claim they need the consumers’ social security and bank routing numbers. In return, customers are given a phony bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills. In reality, there is no money, and customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not.

Tips to Avoid Falling for this Scam:

• Never provide your social security number, credit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone or at your home unless you initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.
• If you receive a call claiming to be your utility company and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill.
• Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a utility problem. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification.
• Always think safety first. Do not give in to high pressure tactics over the phone for information or in person to get into your home.

For more information about scams in your area, check out BBB’s complete scam directory.

Self-storage facilities dot the landscapes of new and older communities. Folks rent units to empty overflowing basements; to stash furnishings while moving or remodeling; or to store business supplies for future use. While most facilities are operated by reputable businesses, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recommends checking out the business carefully before handing over your precious belongings.

In 2011, BBB received more than 1,000 complaints, nationally, against storage units. Many of the complaints filed were from disgruntled consumers who were never able to access their storage units after paying a deposit, had goods damaged in the storage units, and even consumers that had their belongings taken from the storage unit.

Consumers are advised to shop carefully before signing on the dotted line. BBB recommends understanding 7 major factors before selecting a temporary storage facility.

Cost. Obtain written cost estimates from at least three facilities. Most will insist on inspecting your items before offering an estimate. Costs to consider include the monthly rental fee (usually there are a minimum monthly storage charge and a minimum number of month’s storage); storage preparation, padding, packing or transportation fees; and fees for extra options (electricity, pest control, insurance)
you may choose. Ask how the fees are to be paid and by what date.

Size. What size storage units are available? Is there a maximum weight limit for unit contents? Can you jam-pack the entire unit from floor to ceiling?

Climate. Consider the general climate and whether your belongings might be subject to mold or water damage. If so, you may want to consider an environmentally-controlled unit.

Insurance. Make sure your items are insured from theft, fire or other damage. The facility may provide basic insurance or you can choose to purchase insurance from an alternate source. Some homeowners’ policies cover self-storage; check with your insurance agent to be sure you are covered.

Safety. You will need a heavy-duty, secure lock protecting your storage unit. Ask if the facility has surveillance cameras on the property and if a system is in place to restrict access by strangers. Ask for contact information to reach someone at the facility in case of an emergency, both during and after business hours.

Contract. Get everything in writing – the size and location of the unit, options (such as climate-control) that you have selected, termination regulations, insurance coverage, and payment terms. Make sure the facility has several different ways to get in touch with you (home phone, cell phone, email, etc.) in case there is ever a problem with your unit or your payment.

Access. What are the hours and related charges for accessing your unit? Is there adequate room for parking and is the distance from your car/truck to the rental unit acceptable? Does the facility offer dollies or hand trucks to help you move your belongings in and out? Make sure you can easily move your possessions in and out with reasonable ease.

Lastly, pay attention to your monthly bill or credit card statement to make sure you are up-to-date on your payments. You don’t want your storage unit to be labeled “abandoned” and put up for auction.

For more tips you can trust, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.

Reports that millions of credit card numbers may have been compromised recently are a timely reminder that consumers need to stay on top of their credit card accounts,  Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona advises.

“Most of us depend on being able to use credit cards for everyday purchases,” said Kim States, BBB President. “When identity thieves strike, we may feel powerless, but there are steps we all can take to safeguard our accounts.”

Normally, credit card issuers will notify customers if their accounts have been compromised. The issuer may send you a new card and freeze the old account. Some companies will offer fraud monitoring services for a limited period of time. If they do, find out whether the service will result in a charge to your account and how you can cancel the service it you don’t want to keep paying for it.

Although most credit card companies don’t charge cardholders for fraudulent charges on their accounts, customers need to check their accounts for potential fraud not detected by a card issuer’s computers. You should look at transactions on the account regularly to make sure you actually made the purchases listed. Report any discrepancies immediately.

Most card issuers allow cardholders to check their accounts online. Some ID theft experts recommend that consumers switch to electronic delivery of credit card statements, especially if your mailbox isn’t secure. This prevents thieves from stealing your mail to commit ID theft. If you get mailed statements, go over them regularly to determine that all the charges are legitimate.

Another important step is checking your credit report on a regular basis. If you see accounts there that you didn’t open, contact the issuer to report potential fraud. You may want to consider getting a “credit freeze” that will prevent the opening of new accounts.

Many advertisements on television or online claim to offer “free credit reports,” “free credit scores” or “free credit monitoring.” Often, the service is free only if you sign up for another service that isn’t free. In some cases, the advertisers may be attempting to steal your identity or sign you up for something that results in a monthly fee charged to a credit card. Beware of links in unsolicited emails that ask for personal information or account numbers.

The only way to get a truly free copy of a credit report is by using a service sponsored by the three nationwide credit reporting agencies – Experian, Equifax and Transunion. The service is available at AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Consumers also may go to the website and download a request form that can be mailed to an address in Atlanta. Mailed reports normally arrive within two or three weeks.

Other tips that can help safeguard your accounts

• Review receipts at stores before you sign them. Make sure the amounts jive with what you are purchasing.
• Keep copies of ATM and sales receipts for your records and compare them with your monthly statements. Call the credit card company if you find a discrepancy. If fraud is involved, consider filing a police report.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using your card. Could someone be looking over your (more…)