http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=53&id=a824b759-3137-43b5-aedf-a38056bcce73&debug=False 10 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT Fraud targeting senior citizens is a growing concern as millions have fallen victim to scammers. The Better Business Bureau encourages families to keep the lines of communication open with their elders regarding finances and to recognize some common cons targeting senior citizens. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/100802a-consumer-alert-bbb-warns-against-five-scams-targeting-senior-citizens-21334 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT College students have enough to juggle when it comes to school, work and their social life and fighting fraud often doesn’t make the list of priorities. Because college students are so susceptible to identity theft, the Better Business Bureau recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves on campus. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/100802c-seven-tips-for-college-bound-students-to-fight-identity-theft-21338 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT Online privacy policies have taken center stage as social networking sites and search engines have recently come under fire for sharing user information. Even if you think your business is too small to merit a privacy policy, the Better Business Bureau advises that if you have a website, you will benefit by having a comprehensive privacy policy. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/100701d-bbb-small-business-advice-writing-a-privacy-policy-20515 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT Even though consumers are more likely to use a small business that has a web site, most small businesses still haven’t taken the time or money to create one. The Better Business Bureau recommends that small business owners ask themselves four questions to help decide whether building a web site should become a top priority. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/100501d-bbb-small-business-advice-how-badly-does-your-business-need-a-web-site-19214 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT BlueHippo – it was a catchy name and a great logo. You might have been okay buying their coffee mug or even the boxer shorts they peddled on their website. But the company’s primary business was selling computers and other electronic equipment over the Internet to people with low incomes and impaired credit. If you were one of those customers, you’re probably still regretting it. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/beware-of-computer-offers-for-the-credit-impaired-15365 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT Identity theft claimed 10 million victims in 2008, a 22 percent increase over 2007, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research. The Better Business Bureau warns that the holiday season provides many new opportunities for identity thieves to ply their trade and offers the following advice on how to keep your identity safe and secure both online and off. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/091201a-dont-fall-prey-to-identity-thieves-over-the-holidays-13850 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT This holiday season, everyone will be on the hunt for the best deals. The Better Business Bureau warns online shoppers that some deals online for electronics are too good to be true. The BBB is advising holiday shoppers to keep an eye out for five red flags of unscrupulous consumer electronics stores. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/091201b-dont-get-ripped-off-when-buying-electronics-online-13851 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT Online auctions can be a great place for finding deals at any time of year, but over the holidays such sites become hot spots for tracking down popular and hard-to-get gifts - such as new game consoles or must-have toys. The Better Business Bureau offers advice to shoppers on how to avoid getting ripped off when searching for bargains and hard-to-find presents through online auctions. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/091201d-be-a-savvy-bidder-using-online-auctions-13853