http://goldengate.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=99&id=a824b759-3137-43b5-aedf-a38056bcce73&debug=False 10 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT The BBB has 10 tips to help you spot fake coupons online. Extremely high discounts are often a sign of a fraudulent coupon. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/bbb-advice-check-for-warning-signs-of-fake-coupons-online-40366 Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT This Cyber Monday, be extra careful when buying online. Even the most savvy online shoppers are finding themselves stumbling onto websites selling counterfeit goods. A recent study conducted by Nielsen discovered one in five online bargain hunters browsed sites selling counterfeit products. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/websites-selling-fake-goods-lure-cyber-monday-shoppers-38498 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT With summer camps ending and school starting soon, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises parents to take plenty of time to find safe, reliable child care that suits their children and schedules. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/bbb-advises-parents-to-research-child-care-carefully-to-assure-safety-health-of-children-35989 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT Car Buyers and Car Sellers, Beware http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/kelley-blue-book-warns-of-fraudulent-online-car-buying-scams-masquerading-as-kbbcom-29581 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to be wary of tax refund anticipation loans, often marketed as "rapid refunds" in the form of checks or "gift" debit cards. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/bbb-advice-tax-refund-anticipation-loans-are-costly-whether-you-get-a-check-or-a-debit-card-25155 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Credit card holders can circle February 22nd on their calendar as the day when new consumer protections laid out in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 kick in. Your BBB explains what these new consumer protections mean to cardholders across the U.S. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/new-credit-card-regulations-kick-in-and-what-you-need-to-know-15327 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT The New Year is here and, because of the rough economy, it’s more important that ever to resolve to be a savvy consumer. Better Business Bureau offers the following ten New Year’s resolutions to fight scammers, prevent identity theft and save money in 2010. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/bbbs-top-ten-new-years-resolutions-for-a-consumer-savvy-2010-14344 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT According to reports received by BBB offices in several states. The scammers accuse the victim of defaulting on a loan and claim they are about to be sued. The victims are then given the chance to prevent this by wiring money or providing bank account information to the debt collector before the matter goes to court. In many cases, victims are subject to dozens of nasty, abusive phone calls in a matter of hours. The con artists claim to be from companies called “First Cash International,” the "Financial Accountability Association" or the "Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans," BBB officials say. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/phony-debt-collectors-target-pay-day-loan-borrowers--13286 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT Don't Get Stuck With A Flood Damaged Vehicle http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-of-buying-flood-damaged-cars-12619 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-the-keys-to-hiring-a-reputable-locksmith-4482 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Care Labeling Rule requires manufacturers and importers to attach care instructions to garments. Updates to the Rule became effective on September 1, 2000. The Rule's section requiring a "reasonable basis" for care instructions has been changed to clarify what is required, and the definitions of "hot," "warm," and "cold" water have been changed to harmonize with the definitions used by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-clothes-captioning-complying-with-the-care-labeling-rule--4379 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT These Voluntary Guidelines represent a consensus of voluntary consumer disclosure practices reached by a panel of weight management companies, weight loss professionals, and consumer protection groups. They are not binding, do not represent legal standards or interpretation of any legal requirements, and are not sponsored or issued by any government agency. Providers1 should only make these disclosures to the extent that they are permissible under applicable state and federal law. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-voluntary-guidelines-for-providers-of-weight-loss-products-or-services-4452 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prepared this booklet to help you comply with a new FTC rule that requires labeling on alternative fueled vehicles. The Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles Rule was issued in keeping with a directive in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The Rule requires you to provide information to potential purchasers of alternative fueled vehicles to help them compare vehicles. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-labeling-alternative-fueled-vehicles-4354 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 05:00:00 GMT Alaska is famous for the rugged beauty of its mountains, rivers, and coastlines, as well as for the distinctive arts and crafts produced by Alaska Native artists. If you are considering purchasing an Alaska Native-made art or craft item, it’s smart to invest a little time learning about the processes and materials Alaska Natives may use to make these unique and beautiful objects. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-alaska-native-art-4497 Mon, 01 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT If you're refinancing your mortgage or applying for a home equity installment loan, you should know about the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA). http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-high-rate-high-fee-loans-hoepasection-32-mortgages-4768 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT It’s not hard to see why ads for business opportunities that promote the benefits of being your own boss and making money quickly are appealing. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency that monitors advertising for deception, says that some ads for business opportunities feature empty promises and false claims that potential entrepreneurs could never realize. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-ads-for-business-opportunities-how-to-detect-deception-4607 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT The Federal Trade Commission staff prepared this business booklet to help finance companies, retailers, and other creditors comply with the Credit Practices Rule, which went into effect March 1, 1985. This booklet tells you what the Credit Practices Rule requires, who must comply, and what transactions are covered. It also discusses liability for rule violations and how exemptions are granted. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-complying-with-the-credit-practices-rule-4420 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT For many consumers, electronic banking means 24-hour access to cash through an automated teller machine (ATM) or Direct Deposit of paychecks into checking or savings accounts. But electronic banking now involves many different types of transactions. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-electronic-banking--4646 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT Shopping for gifts can be a real dilemma. Just what do you get the person who has everything: your finicky Aunt Mary, your co-worker, or your child's babysitter? Gift cards may be the answer: one size fits all, and the recipients can get exactly what they want. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-buying-giving-and-using-gift-cards-4412 Wed, 01 Mar 2006 06:00:00 GMT Internet auction sites give buyers a “virtual” flea market with new and used merchandise from around the world; they give sellers a global storefront from which to market their goods. But the online auction business can be risky business. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants to help buyers and sellers stay safe on Internet auction websites. Among the thousands of consumer fraud complaints the FTC receives every year, those dealing with online auction fraud consistently rank near the top of the list. The complaints generally deal with late shipments, no shipments, or shipments of products that aren’t the same quality as advertised; bogus online payment or escrow services; and fraudulent dealers who lure bidders from legitimate auction sites with seemingly better deals. Most complaints involve sellers, but in some cases, the buyers are the subject. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-internet-auctions-a-guide-for-buyers-and-sellers-4516 Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:00:00 GMT Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver jewelry or the earth tone colors of Indian pottery, having some knowledge about American Indian arts and crafts can help you get the most for your money. Be aware also that because Indian arts and crafts are prized and often command higher prices, a few unscrupulous sellers misrepresent imitation arts and crafts as genuine. http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc-how-to-buy-genuine-american-indian-arts-and-crafts-4487