|
05/22/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – May 22, 2013 - In the wake of recent devastating tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma and north Texas, your Better Business Bureau and BBB Wise Giving Alliance are providing tips for donors to avoid scams and make wise giving decisions.
|
|
|
05/08/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – May 8, 2013 – With Mother’s Day quickly approaching on Sunday, May 12, many consumers are still searching for the perfect gift to show appreciation for their mothers. According to the National Retail Federation, total spending for Mother’s Day this year is expected to reach $20.7 billion. In addition, consumers will spend an average of $168.94 on mom, an increase of 11 percent from 2012.
|
|
|
04/26/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – April 26, 2013 - In our tech-savvy world, everything is readily accessible and convenient. This statement even applies to banking. Gone are the days of waiting in line at the bank or even waiting for your computer to boot up. Now you can access your bank account from anywhere in the world via your smart phone or tablet.
|
|
|
04/04/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – April 4, 2013 – Planning a wedding can be an exciting, yet expensive and stressful time in many couples’ lives. According to an annual survey of 17,500 couples released by www.TheKnot.com, newlyweds spent an average of $28,427 on their weddings in 2012. It can be easy for couples and their families to become overwhelmed by all of the associated wedding costs and the process of choosing wedding vendors.
|
|
|
03/22/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – March 22, 2013 - An attractive, well-kept driveway can increase your home’s curb appeal, provide protection against weather, and even add value to your investment. Replacing a driveway can be a costly and confusing endeavor though. A poorly designed and constructed driveway that begins to crack and crumble after its first winter is far more expensive than a well-constructed driveway that costs a little more to start with, but remains solid and attractive for many years with minimum upkeep.
|
|
|
03/20/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – March 20, 2013 - With a local team playing in the NCAA tomorrow afternoon, your Better Business Bureau wants to warn the public about scams related to March Madness. Major sporting events like the NCAA tournament almost always inspire scammers to capitalize on the scarcity of tickets and fans’ desire to snap up souvenirs or team jerseys. BBB advises fans to check out offers before spending their hard-earned cash.
|
|
|
03/19/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – March 19, 2013 – Motor vehicle collisions and other auto-related mishaps result in billions of dollars in property damage, medical and legal bills and lost income every year. Car owners need to protect their vehicle and themselves with auto insurance, but how do you know if you are properly covered?
|
|
|
02/24/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – February 24, 2013 - Need help filing your taxes but want to make sure the tax preparer is legitimate? Do your research! BBB hears about lots of tax scams every year, from ill-trained preparers to companies that file for you without your permission. Although tax preparers must sign off on the paperwork, the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for filing the return and will be subject to penalties if there are problems.
|
|
|
02/11/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – February 11, 2013 – With Valentine’s Day less than a week away, many consumers are still searching for that perfect last minute gift or way to show affection for their significant other. Some are even still hoping to find a special person to share the holiday with. Unfortunately, scam artists take advantage of the heightened emotions and communication that takes place surrounding this holiday of love.
|
|
|
01/25/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – January 25, 2013 – Cold weather can put a strain on your furnace and you could unexpectedly find yourself in need of an emergency heating contractor for repairs or a replacement system. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to be cautious about misleading heating contractors who may use high pressure scare tactics to convince homeowners to purchase expensive and sometimes unnecessary repairs and parts.
|
|
|
01/22/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – January 22, 2013 - When you are looking to make home improvements, it is important to balance reliability, cost-effectiveness and attractive design. Whether you are remodeling an existing home or working with a builder on a new home, if you choose brick, make sure you know what to expect. Your Better Business Bureau and the Brick Industry Association recommend the following tips to help home buyers choose the right brick exterior.
|
|
|
01/18/2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – January 18, 2013 - Have you ever opted for a paperless, e-receipt? Some retailers and banks have started offering customers the option of receiving receipts from purchases and ATM transactions via email. While this is a convenient alternative to paper clutter, your Better Business Bureau is reminding shoppers to protect their identities in the process.
|
|
|
12/14/2012
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – December 14, 2012 – The holiday season is a critical fundraising time for charities. Although charities accept donations year-round, close to 40 percent of a charity’s annual contributions are received in the last few weeks of the year. Many businesses and consumers make year-end donations for tax purposes and/or to extend the spirit of Thanksgiving and generosity to those who are less fortunate.
|
|
|
12/13/2012
Pittsburgh, PA – December 13, 2012 – Are you still searching for the perfect gift for someone who is difficult to shop for? Giving a gift card as a present may be the ideal solution, as your recipient can pick exactly what he or she wants from a retailer or restaurant. In fact, according to a survey by Consumer Reports, 62 percent of consumers are planning to buy gift cards this holiday season. Prior to making your gift card purchase, be sure to read the fine print and understand any hidden fees or strings attached first.
|
|
|
12/07/2012
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – December 7, 2012 – Savvy shoppers are always searching for ways to save money, especially during the holiday season. Unfortunately, when shopping for special gifts, it is important for bargain-hunters to beware of counterfeit products. If the prices seem too good to be true for luxury brands on the internet, the goods may actually be shoddy knock-offs!
|
|