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A service provided to the Accredited Businesses of the BBB serving Southeast Louisiana.

April 2010
In This Issue
-- Concerns About Lengthy Census Form
-- New Phishing Attack
-- iPad Scams
-- WDSU/BBB Campaign
-- New Accredited Businesses
-- We Salute You

Quick Links...
Dear BBB Accredited Business,

It has been said that the recipe for the perfect scam is 1 part believability, 1 part confusion or misunderstanding, and 1 part fear of consequences. Mix well, and it will serve thousands. This month, the BBB is focusing on some common myths, misconceptions and scams that have developed in response to current events. 

This is the year for the 2010 Census, and we hope to clear up some misinformation about the ACS, or American Community Survey that will be mailed out with the census to predetermined households. 

Just as banks, and other agencies have been victims of hackers' phishing attacks, the BBB has been "referenced" in fraudulent e-mails that claim to be complaints from BBBs. If your company is in receipt of an e-mail that appears questionable, and you would like to contact the BBB to verify it, please do so before clicking or submitting any information.

Finally, as with any new market craze, some scammers have started to build scams based on the release of Apple's new iPad product. Make sure to read about it, as many of the concepts apply to many other similar scenarios.

Thank you for your support of the Better Business Bureau.

Dick Mitchell
President/CEO
BBB serving Southeast Louisiana
 
Citizens Contact BBB with Safety Fears About Lengthy Census Form
After the promotion by the U.S. Census of simply being "10 questions, 10 minutes" many consumers were suspicious when they received a 69-question form that requested significantly more, and particularly more personal information. 

It turned out that a small percentage of households are pre-selected to receive the survey (issued by the U.S. Census Bureau), called the American Community Survey. It is legal, legitimate, and required by law.

For more information on the American Community Survey, click here.
For more BBB info on the U.S. Census, click here.
The U.S. Census website is available at: www.2010census.gov.
 
BBB Cautions Businesses About New Phishing Attack

monitor and skullBetter Business Bureau was recently alerted to the fact that the BBB name has been referenced in a phishing e-mail scam. BBB is warning businesses to beware of a new malicious e-mail that pretends to be from BBB about a complaint filed against the company. If you need to contact the BBB to verify if a correspondence is legitimate, please contact us at: (504) 581-6222, or info@neworleans.bbb.org.

For more details on this scam, click here.
 
BBB Warns That iPad Scammers Are Already At Work

As happens with many new product releases, before the iPad was released, scammers were devising ways to take advantage of early adopters. Better Business Bureau warns eager shoppers to avoid offers to become a "tester" and get a free iPad. However, not all scams take on the guise of being a tester. Some scams offer an iPad for signing up for products or services.

Click here for the entire article on iPad scams.
 
WDSU/BBB Cooperative Advertising Spring Campaign

WDSU Channel 6We encourage all BBB Accredited Businesses to participate in the WDSU/BBB Cooperative Advertising Spring Campaign.

Each message will be sponsored by 6 participating members. Your business name and phone number will appear on the consumer message. Audio of your business name will be announced on the consumer message. All 10 commercials will air in news, information and entertainment programs. Additionally, participants will receive exposure on WDSU.com and the 24/7 Exact Weather News and Traffic channel.

We have kept the cost low, $150, in the hope that you might all participate.

The identification of your company as a BBB Accredited Business, as well as the high-profile television presence of the BBB will be beneficial to both your business and the BBB - while providing the public with important information.
 
Please contact Juan Nogueira for more information regarding this program:

Juan Nogueira WDSU-TV
(504) 679-0751
jnogueira@hearst.com
 
Welcome to New BBB Accredited Businesses - March 2010
WDSU Channel 6
The Better Business Bureau is proud to announce the following new BBB Accredited Businesses during March 2010. This means that these companies have agreed to uphold the BBB Standards of Trust, including advertising honestly, honoring promises, and being responsive to marketplace issues. 

Click here to view the BBB Standards for Trust.


A 1 Omini Homes Contractors & Repairs
Absolute Lawn Care LA, LLC
Advanced Automotive Concepts
All Drywater Damage
Angels Over U Sitting Service LLC
ASRC Gulf States Constructors, Inc.
Audubon Pressure Washing LLC
Azalea Custom Homes
Bernard Blanchard Electric, LLC
Brayan Stucco, Inc.
Certa Pro Painters of Mandeville
Chosen Cakes & Caterers
Computers, Communications and Controls, Inc.
Concrete Coatings of Louisiana
D A S Construction, LLC
Dial A Maid LLC
Dixie Construction Services, LLC
Drinkard A/C & Heating, LLC
Express Weld, LLC
Faciane Electrical Services, LLC
Four Points Iron Works, LLC
Gattuso Construction & Design
Green Coast Enterprises, LLC
Heritage Estate & Insurance Services, LLC
High Voltage A/C, Heating & Electrical, LLC
Hill Top Property Investments, LLC
Jennings Builders, LLC
John W. Stone Oil Distributor, LLC
K-9 Cuts Dog Grooming & Boarding
Louisiana Home Elevations, LLC
McBride Roofing
Modern Classic Concepts, LLC
Money Hill Plantation, LLC
Northshore Millwork, LLC
P & J Contracting of Louisiana, LLC
Pioneer Gutters
Precision Hearing Health, LLC
Pro Clean Trash Out/Cleaning Service, LLC
Pro-Tax Services & Associates, Inc
Proficient Driving Academy
Protocol Construction, LLC
Ray Stovall Plumbing, LLC
Riverlands Insurance Agency Incorporated
Rogers Davis Scrap Service
Salathe Oil Company, Inc.
The Gates on Manhattan Condos
The Gold Buying Store
Toxic Drywall Management Systems
Tuff Shed, Inc.
Z Imports, Inc.
 
We Salute You

These companies are loyal and supportive BBB Accredited Businesses. They are representative of the many sizes and types of businesses that uphold the BBB Standards of Trust. Each has been randomly selected and the starting year of their BBB Accreditation is noted below.

Each BBB Accredited Business has committed to the BBB Standards for Trust.

                   We Salute You 4-2010
                      
 
Please feel free to contact us if you find that this e-mail has been directed to an incorrect address, or if you need to change your company's contact information.
phone:  (504) 522-9363     fax:  (504) 524-9110     e-mail: info@neworleans.bbb.org