TIP NUMBER ONE

TIPS ON USING ONLINE COUPONS

BBB offers the following advice on redeeming online coupons:

• Consumers should check to see if the coupon is being offered directly by the store or if it is being offered by a third-party such as a partner or affiliate. If it is via a third-party, they might ask for additional info or require that the consumer sign up for additional services to redeem the coupon. If so, BBB recommends using extreme caution before divulging any personal information and consumers can check the company out, free of charge, at www.bbb.org.  

• BBB advises coupon clickers to be wary of pop-up ad coupon offers that require you to immediately click to redeem. Clicking on the ad may automatically sign the consumer up for services they were not interested in receiving, causing them to be billed every month.

• Carefully read the terms and conditions for the use of the coupon, check for the expiration date, limitations of use and whether it is an online coupon good for only online purchases or if it can also be redeemed at the physical store location.

• Because some stores are concerned about fraud related to online coupons, not all businesses are eager to redeem them. BBB recommends contacting the store where you wish to use the coupon directly to find out whether the coupon is being honored or not.

• Be extremely cautious if the coupon requires that the consumer call the company to redeem the value of the coupon, and/or has any requirement to give personal information.

• Don’t fall for phony coupons via e-mail. Many fake coupons have been making the rounds via e-mail and just because it may come from a friend or family member, don’t assume the coupon is legitimate.

For more advice on saving money, visit www.bbb.org.

TIP NUMBER TWO

BBZ RESOURCE MANAGEMENT of AZ
Complaints Allege Non-Receipt and Delay in Receipt of Gas Cards

BBZ RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, INC.
dba
Claim Your Gas
Claim Your Merchandise
Claimyourgas.com
ClaimYourGroceries.com
Claimyourmerchandise.com
Free Fuel Center
Free Fuel Nationwide
FreeFuelCenter.com
FreeGroceryCenter.com
fuelpaycheck.com
Gas & Grocery Promotion
Gas and Grocery Depot
Incentive International

827 W. Grove
Suite 100
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 455-5192

The BBB of Central AZ wishes to warn consumers about the above mentioned company, which is providing an online gas voucher redemption services. The company has a pattern of complaints alleging non-receipt and delay in the receipt of $25 gas cards offered by the company even after following the company's instructions for its redemption program. Complaints allege consumers have mailed the required $100 worth of receipts to the company and have had difficulty obtaining the cards.

BBB ADVICE

It pays to check with BBB for reports on such incentive programs. Read all terms and conditions of the contract prior to signing up. If you have an unresolved issue concerning the company, file formal complaints with BBB and your state AG for resolve.

TIP NUMBER THREE

PPC FLASH PLACING UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES ON CREDIT CARDS

PPC Flash
Dayton, OH 45458
(937) 502-1816
www.ppcflash.com (down as of this release)

BBB warns about the above mentioned advertising specialties company allegedly making unauthorized charges to credit cards. BBB Dayton, OH has recently received consumer complaints from various states indicating unauthorized charges by PPC Flash to their credit cards. Several people report they did not have a prior business relationship with the company. The charges vary in amounts from $6.87 to $12.08. These charges may seem nominal, however, questionable groups rely on the fact that small charges may not make people be pro-active to want to dispute them. But, as we all know, a buck here and a buck there eventually adds up and becomes profitable.

Consumers also report they are unable to reach anyone at the company by phone or e-mail. When they tried to call the company, they either left a message only to receive no return call or the mailbox was full.

BBB ADVICE

BBB recommends consumers check their bank and credit card statements diligently on a regular basis to be sure there are no unauthorized charges showing. If you believe you’ve been charged incorrectly by PPC Flash, contact your credit card company, and file formal complaints with BBB (www.bbb.org) and your state Attorney General’s office.

TIP NUMBER FOUR

$9.8 Million Settlement for Montanans with RBC Capital Markets

Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance announced a settlement agreement with RBC Capital Markets Corporation.  In the agreement, RBC Capital Markets has agreed to return $9,875,000 to Montana residents who purchased auction rate securities from the firm, pay a $20,733.04 fine which will be deposited to the state's general fund, and contribute $5,000 to the Investor Protection Trust, a non-profit organization, for the purpose of providing investor education to Montana consumers.

RBC Capital Markets was accused of misleading investors about the safety and liquidity of auction rate securities. The market for auction rate securities collapsed in February 2008, leaving investors holding millions of dollars in illiquid investments.

Auction rate securities (ARS) are long term, variable rate corporate or municipal bonds tied to short term interest rates.

BBB ADVICE

If you are a Montanan and have an unresolved issue concerning this company, we urge you to contact the MT Commissioner of Securities and Insurance at: 406-444-2040.

TIP NUMBER FIVE (2-Fold)

#1
BE AWARE OF THIS CENTRAL WASHINGTON SCENARIO
RE: OLD AND/OR ABANDONED CARS FOR SALE PITCH

BBB found this recently reported scenario something to warn others about because this could happen anywhere.

A Yakima resident stated he was doing something with his old car when a man came up to him and told him he had a bunch of old cars on some property he recently sold and needed to get them off the lot ASAP. He stated that he was selling the old vehicles for real cheap. 

However, he needed to receive $30 upfront as tow money in order to bring the vehicle(s) by to see if the resident would like to purchase any of the cars.

The resident asked to go directly to the lot, but the man stated no one but him and the tow truck were allowed on the lot. So, the resident gave him $30. 

As you may have guessed, the man never showed up with a car for him to look at and purchase. 

BBB ADVICE

With tough times stretching into the summer season, be on the lookout for people wanting to make a quick buck FAST! BBB is hearing scenarios that will make you think, “How could someone ever fall for that?” But, sadly, scams like the one above occur because there are people who DO fall for them.

#2
THIS WEEK’S “YOU CAN’T FOOL ME!” PHONE SCENARIO

A Kennewick, WA. resident received a call from a “Home Protection” supposedly out of Phoenix, AZ. They told her because she had used her credit card so many times at Walmart, that Walmart was going to send her a $300 gas card and a $400 gift card.

All they needed was $3.95 for shipping. They then asked for her credit card number. She realized it was a scam and hung up.

BBB ADVICE
Don't be afraid to hang up on someone you don't know wanting your personal info.

BONUS TIPS

RECENT ADVANCE FEE LOAN SCAMS ON BBB RADAR
Parkside Financial and Moonlight Financial of IA

Parkside Financial and Moonlight Financial are two advance fee loan companies advertising on the internet and purporting to be from Des Moines, when in fact they are not.  The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that this is a scam. These two companies are targeting individuals who have poor credit history and difficulty obtaining traditional loans. 

Each company has their own address, local phone numbers, websites and points of contact.  By all appearances, the companies appear to be unrelated.  However, after speaking to multiple individuals, it was revealed that the two companies have at least one toll free phone number in common.  The BBB has thus drawn the conclusion that the same individuals are perpetuating this scam under at least two different names.

According to consumers, Parkside Financial is located at 660 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, IA 50313.  The Better Business Bureau has learned that the purported address is located in between two residential homes.  Consequently, mail has been returned as undeliverable.  

Moonlight Financial Services is another company claiming to be based in Iowa.  Their website, www.moonlightfs.com states they are located at 1200 Valley West Dr. Ste. 3 West Des Moines, IA 50266.  After speaking to the superintendent of the building, the BBB learned that the suite number is not valid and that they have received similar inquiries about the phantom suite. 

Consumers are either solicited by telemarketers or find the company on the internet.  They are lead to believe that they are approved for a loan ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.  After filling out all necessary paperwork, consumers are then asked to pay an upfront fee ranging from $300 to $3,000.  The fee is wire transferred by Western Union to an individual in Canada or in some instances the money is debited directly out of their checking account.  No loans are given and once the recipients of this scam receive the money, they cease all contact with the consumer.

BBB ADVICE

The Better Business Bureau encourages consumers who feel that they have been victimized by one these companies to contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.  They may also contact their local consumer protection agency and the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. 

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for spotting an advance fee loan scam:

• Pressure to act immediately.  Advance fee loan scammers will try to get you to send money or give out personal information before you get any paperwork.  Insist on receiving the necessary paperwork before deciding whether or not to apply for credit.
• Lenders not interested in your credit history.  Lenders who don’t care about your credit record should be cause for concern.  Ads that downplay bad credit and ads promising “fast money” or “guaranteed approval” often indicate a scam.
• A loan that is offered by phone.  According to the FTC, it is illegal for companies doing business in the U.S. by phone to promise a loan or ask you to pay for it before they deliver.

When in doubt, contact your Better Business Bureau. The knowledgeable staff will help educate you on how to spot and avoid marketplace scams.