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It's Cyber SecurityAwareness Month!
Take security precautions,understand the consequences
of your actions andbehaviors and enjoy thebenefits of the Internet.
BBB has tips on how to besafe in a Cyber World:
Keep a Clean MachineKeep software up to date on
all internetconnecteddevices to reduce risk ofinfection and malware.
Get Two Steps AheadSwitch on twostep
verification or multifactorauthentication whereveroffered to make sure youraccounts are more secure.
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
Links in email, posts andtexts are often the way
cybercriminals try and stealyour information or infect
your devices.
Use a Better PasswordImprove your defense bymaking passwords that youcan remember and are hardto guess. It is preferable to
October 2014
BBB Warns aboutBridal FlowerBusiness ThatDoesn't Deliver
"Creations by Pammie," aninternetbased business, advertises beautiful handmadewedding flower bouquets made out of ribbon, fabric andpaper, a bouquet to treasure long after your weddingday. Unfortunately, that is not the case for some bridestobe.
Your BBB is urging consumers to do their homeworkwhen purchasing from them after receiving numerouscomplaints against Creations by Pammie when thebusiness failed to provide items as ordered. BBBreceived 10 complaints against the business fromconsumers across the country in the last 2 months, and 9of them were closed as unanswered. Transactions rangedbetween $40 to several hundred dollars. The businessalso only accepts payment through PayPal, GoogleWallet, or a Green Dot Money Card after an order isplaced through the website or its Facebook page. BBBfiles indicate that the business is located in Wadsworth,OH, but the Creations by Pammies' Facebook pageindicated that the business might have recently relocatedto Amherst, Ohio.
When consumers tried to contact the business to seewhen they will receive their orders, or to requesttracking information of their order, they either receivedempty promises from the business or did not receive aresponse at all. Consumers also complained that theynever received their refunds as requested and/orpromised. Some consumers were even blocked from theFacebook page, after numerous attempts of trying tocontact her.
With the average wedding costing around $25,000, BBB isadvising consumers to use caution when placing ordersonline and paying upfront, as there is little or no moneyto gamble on unreliable vendors.
use both capital andlowercase letters, as well as
numbers.
Think Before your AppUnderstand and be
comfortable with whatinformation (i.e. location,your contacts, social
networking profiles, etc.) theapp would access and sharebefore you download it.
The Holidays will behere before you knowit! These businesses can
help you plan theperfect Holiday Partyfor your work or family.
Click on the following links fordirect access to BBB Accredited
Businesses.
Event Centers
Caterers
Bakeries
Click here for simple steps that can help you save yourmoney and have a less stressful wedding.
SCAM ALERT! OH State Officialswarn Ohioans of Unclaimed Funds
Scam
The Ohio Department ofCommerce says a company
is mailing postcardsthroughout the state askingresidents to call and searchfor unclaimed funds. Callersare then prompted to givetheir Social Security number
and visit the official website for the NationalAssociation of Unclaimed Property Administrators,
which officials say makes the search seem legitimate.
Officials said in a statement Wednesday that thepostcards are an attempt to trick recipients into
providing personal and financial information. They sayOhioans should work with the state's unclaimed funds
division to claim lost or forgotten money.
The postcards have appeared in various colors, andofficials say the company sending them is notregistered with the Department of Commerce.
4 Tips to Keep Halloween Shoppingfrom Turning into a Nightmare
According to the Halloween Industry Association,Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday inthe United States, falling just behind Christmas. BBBwants to ensure this year is filled with more treats thantricks.
Don't be haunted by lowquality products and spookyservice:
Be cautious with seasonalstores. Transitional storelocations and temporary
staffing of popup businesses may lead to increaseddifficulties in resolving postholiday consumer disputes. Read store terms and conditions carefully before buying.Check return policies. Some retailers will only offer
instore credit for exchanges or refuse refunds on
BBB Speaker's Bureau
BBB Professional Speakersare available at no cost and
can speak on variousmarketplace topics, which
include:
Smart Investing
Military Line
Teen Smart
In Pursuit of Ethics for Students &Professionals
Senior Scams & FraudPrograms
Contact us today at (330) 2534590 or via emailat [email protected] to
request a free BBBProfessional Speaker for your
event or group.
Follow us on:
seasonal merchandise, such as Halloween costumes. Pay close attention to time limits on returns and otherrestrictions.Pay by credit card. Cash purchases are nearly
impossible to refund, but credit transactions can beeasily canceled if products are misrepresented or notdelivered.Certain decorative lenses are illegal. Buying these
lenses overthecounter is illegal and can seriouslydamage eyesight. They are often sold in beauty stores,flea markets, convenience stores and on the Internet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines contactlenses as medical devices, meaning they requireprescriptions.
Scammers Use "Most DangerousCelebrities" as Click Bait to Fool
Consumers
Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about the"Most Dangerous Celebrities" whose names and photosare most often used by scammers as click bait. BBB isjoining with security technology company McAfee inalerting consumers about the problem of click baiting andhow to avoid it. Today McAfee released the list of the topten "Most Dangerous Celebrities." Talk show host JimmyKimmel topped the list. style="fontsize: 10pt;">
What is Click Baiting?"Click baiting" is a way to get someone's attention online.Many advertisers use it, but so do scammers. Theyengage with potential identity theft victims by offeringsomething that is too intriguing to ignore: messagesclaiming new videos, "shocking" information orscandalous news on celebrities, newsmakers and otherfamous people.
Many consumers are unaware of the risks that existwhen searching for celebrity and entertainment news.Often, the click bait leads to a sketchy website or a linkthat downloads malware on the user's computer or smartphone.
The Most Dangerous Celebrities
For the eighth year, security technology company McAfeehas identified the "Most Dangerous Celebrities" whosenames and images are most widely used by scammersas click bait.
BBB serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit and Wayne Counties | 222 West Market Street | Akron |OH | 44303
