Press Releases from Connecticut Better Business Bureau (20 total)
Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers tips on buying a used car
Getting a good deal depends on many factors
Wallingford, CT - June 9, 2009 – As economics drive some consumers to buy used vehicles, buyers should invest time to consider the same issues that apply to buying a new car.
While some consumers are “going green” by seeking out more environmentally-friendly vehicles, many others are opting for used cars to replace their older vehicles or gas-guzzlers.
According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President,…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau issues warning about census-related fraud
Scams involve attempts at identity theft
Wallingford, CT - May 19, 2009 – As the 2010 Census gets under way, Connecticut Better Business Bureau cautions consumers to be cooperative but careful about providing personal information to would-be census workers who make contact by phone or show up at their front door.
More than 140,000 U.S. Census workers are fanning out across the nation to verify the addresses of households and count…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau urges parents to visit summer camps before se …
Brochures alone may not give an accurate picture of facilities
Wallingford, CT - May 11, 2009 – Connecticut Better Business Bureau is urging parents who are sending their kids to camp for the summer to do their homework before signing a contract.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, says more than the cost, advertising claims, safety and medical issues are of critical importance.
“Brochures are designed to sell a summer camp and…
Connecticut BBB warns against a summer scam going door-to-door nationwide
Trying to help a good cause could get you ripped off by fraudulent magazine salespeople
Wallingford, CT - May 8, 2009 – Better Business Bureau warns that deceptive door-to-door magazine sales crews are hitting the pavement in Connecticut, and looking to earn a quick buck this summer. In the last 12 months alone, BBB’s across the nation received 1,100 complaints from consumers in 46 states against more than 50 companies that…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers advice to avoid being jilted at the al …
Wedding insurance becoming more popular to ensure worry-free walk down the aisle
Wallingford, CT – April 21, 2009 – With the number of commercial bankruptcies on the rise, some brides and grooms are being burned by bankrupt vendors. Connecticut Better Business Bureau says wedding insurance is becoming a popular hedge against vendors who may close-up shop and leave couples in the lurch on their wedding day.
According to Travelers Insurance, more…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau warns consumers about “car cloning”
Unwitting consumers face confiscation and potential criminal charges
Wallingford, CT - April 14, 2009 – BBB is warning Connecticut consumers in the market for a new vehicle to ensure that their new dream car or truck has not been cloned.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) defines car cloning as stealing the identity of a legitimately owned vehicle and transferring it to a stolen car. Law enforcement officials across the nation…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau warns consumers about product information blo …
Bloggers sometimes anonymous and mislead consumers
Wallingford, CT - April 3, 2009 – When is what you read in a blog fact, opinion or fiction? Perhaps it is best summed up by President Obama in a New York Times interview, when he said he rarely reads blogs because they can be misleading.
The word “blog,” a contraction of “web log,” is like an online public diary that often reflects the…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau warns about phony publishers clearing house l …
Consumers told to be on alert as scam making its way across the nation
Wallingford, CT - March 31, 2009 – Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning the public to beware of letters supposedly from Publishers Clearing House which claim that they have won a grand prize drawing of $1 million. Despite official-looking letters, recipients are the target of a widespread scam that is seeing a sudden resurgence across the…
Connecticut BBB applauds new formula in place for calculating consumer credit sc …
New FICO formula more forgiving for consumers seeking credit
Wallingford, CT - March 20, 2009 – There is new help for consumers who are looking to re-finance their homes or secure other loans from financial institutions.
The Fair Isaac Corporation, creator of the FICO score has changed its model for determining credit ratings in what is called “FICO 08.”
The scores, range from 300 to 850 and indicate consumers’ risk as borrowers, for…
CT BBB warns consumers about deceptive auto-warranty solicitations
Complaints nationwide show pattern of deceptive tactics used to sell unnecessary extended warranties
Wallingford, CT - March 17, 2009 – Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely wary of telemarketing calls and mailers claiming their auto warranty is about to expire.
Complaints reveal consumers nationwide are being bombarded by telemarketers who try to scare them into purchasing an extended warranty by telling them their vehicle’s warranty is about to…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau cautions consumers about going-out-of-busines …
Liquidation prices are sometimes a bad deal
Wallingford, CT - February 24, 2009 – Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to check retail prices on goods before buying them at liquidation sales.
Retailers across the country are being hit by the declining economy. Due to sluggish sales in 2008, some big names, including Linens-N-Things and Circuit City were forced into bankruptcy and are liquidating stock to pay creditors.
Connecticut Better…
Connecticut BBB warns Facebook users about new dangers lurking in cyberspace
Popular social networking sites being used by hackers, con artists and ID thieves
Wallingford, CT - February 17, 2009 – Perhaps it was just a matter of time: Cyber-criminals have moved to popular social networking sites to spread viruses and steal users’ identities.
Sites like Facebook and MySpace have become fertile ground for hackers and scammers to lure unsuspecting users into downloading computer viruses and divulging personal information.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau…
CT Better Business Bureau urges students learn financial responsibility
Fewer than half know how to manage credit & finances
Wallingford, CT - October 21, 2008 – More than half of teenaged students get a failing grade when it comes to looking after their own finances, and the result for many is an unmanageable debt load.
According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Hotton Scarpetti, parents can serve as role models for sound financial habits.
“It isn’t enough for young adults…
Connecticut BBB warns families about “grandparent scam”
Wallingford, CT - October 14, 2008– Families with elderly relatives are urged to be on alert about a telephone-based scheme targeting seniors in what is being called the “Grandma Scam.”
Across the United States and Canada, con artists are calling seniors, claiming to be a grandson or granddaughter who urgently needs money to get out of jail or for a host of other reasons.
Some callers identify themselves as police and…
Deer season puts auto insurance coverage to the test
Few people read their auto insurance policy and are unaware of limitations and extent of coverage
Wallingford, CT- October 10, 2008 – Coming to a highway near you soon: The annual Deer Roadways Crossing Season.
Anyone whose vehicle has collided with a deer knows that the threat, which is greatest between October and December is a real one that, aside from being potentially fatal, may put a strain on drivers’…
CT Better Business Bureau warns consumers about iPhone scams
Thieves targeting new technology consumers
Wallingford, CT - September 22, 2008 – Connecticut BBB warns that some consumers who try to avoid long lineups to buy the latest high-tech devices are playing into the hands of crooks.
CT BBB President, Paulette Hotton Scarpetti says cheats rely on consumers’ impatience to buy the hottest technology.
“Some consumers turn to the Internet for what they believe will be either a good price or fast…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau alert: Beware of “talent agency” sales pr …
InterFACE talent network has pattern of complaints from Connecticut consumers-receives “unsatisfactory” rating by BBB
Wallingford, CT - September 16, 2008– If you are walking through a shopping mall, someone approaches you and tells you your children “have the look” to be models or work in show business, beware.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau has received more than a dozen complaints since July about a South Norwalk company, InterFACE Talent Network, that has…
Connecticut Better Business Bureau holding free document shredding and tips on i …
Second “Secure Your ID” event open to the public
Wallingford, CT – September 8, 2008 – Following a joint news conference this afternoon, Connecticut BBB President and CEO, Paulette Hotton Scarpetti and Connecticut Commissioner Jerry Farrell of the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced a joint program to help Connecticut consumers and business owners protect themselves from identity theft.
Both entities are holding similar free events at different times and locations to…
BBB Issues alert about internet shopping company
Seven Connecticut consumers among complainants about Millennium Empire
Wallingford, CT – August 7, 2008 –Better Business Bureau is warning Connecticut consumers about doing business with an online Internet shopping company, Millennium Empire, which also operates under the names Empire Swords, Warhammer Direct, arhammerdirect.com, Empire Pet Supply and Kingofswords.com.
The companies are involved in Internet shopping, Games & Supplies, General Merchandise – Retail, Internet e-Commerce Services, Mail Order & Catalogue shopping and Pet…
BBB Warns About Voter Registration Scams
Beware of Callers Seeking Personal Information
Wallingford, CT – August 5, 2008 – Connecticut BBB says the latest scam to steal your private information may come by telephone or e-mail, and is related to voter registration.
The Federal Trade Commission, (FTC) the nation’s federal consumer protection agency, reports scammers are using the pretext of requiring personal information to be registered to vote or to ensure your registration information is correct. …
