Alerts, tips and other news from your BBB

BBB to honor 11 companies, 2 charities, 4 students at TORCH event
Torch Awards promotion Better Business Bureau will honor 11 companies, two charities and four students at this year's TORCH Awards event on Nov. 13. The awards recognize organizations and individuals with exception ethics and service to their customers, communities and suppliers. Companies, charities and students will receive their awards at the TORCH Awards luncheon on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. The featured speakers are Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs, the founders of St. Louis-based Better Life, a maker of environmentally friendly cleaning products that was featured on ABC's 'Shark Tank.'
Protect your elderly parents, friends from financial fraud
senior woman on phone
From grandparent scams to fake IRS agents, older adults often are targets of scammers who want to drain their savings accounts. In this package of stories from Consumer Reports, find out how these scammers operate and how you can help your friends and family stay safe.
Learn More�
BBB Scam Tracker Helps You Avoid Getting Scammed
BBB Scam Tracker promo
Think that call, text or email might be a scam? Use BBB Scam Tracker to check it out or report it. We'll track the scams reported and help you and other consumers stay safe.
Customers Say Kaptivating Kreations Took Money, Did Nothing
Mesha Ellison
Ellison
Customers have told BBB that Kaptivating Kreations, a party and travel planning business based in the Metro East area, took thousands of dollars in deposits for trips, including destinations, but failed to make airline or hotel reservations.  One man said he had to change his wedding plans after the company took $6,000 from him but failed to make reservations for a trip to Hawaii. BBB has been unable to get a response from the business, run by Mesha Ellison.
Learn More�
Looking for trustworthy companies? Use BBB Request A Quote
Look for BBB's seal More than 7,000 BBB Accredited Businesses in Missouri and Illinois - plus thousands more nationwide - have pledged to honor promises, advertise honestly, be transparent and tell the truth. BBB's Request a Quote puts you in touch with trustworthy companies that provide the products or services you're looking for and who proudly use the BBB Accredited Seal.
Patricia Follin, sued by state, takes investors money in scheme
Patricia Follin/Draine
Follin
Patricia Follin, who was sued by Missouri General Chris Koster for operating an alleged rental assistance scam, has started a new business that is taking money from investors and entrepreneurs. The new scheme, under the name of Team Judgment Recovery or Judgment Recovery, says it collects court judgments. BBB previously warned consumers about a business called Elite Placement.
 Learn More�
St. Louis Arc Wraps Services Around Families, Children
St. Louis Arc staff member and client dancing St. Louis Arc's dedication to children and adults with disabilities surrounds them with services throughout their lives. "We wrap around the family from the time the child is born," said Kathy Meath, who retired as president and CEO at the end of June after 34 years with the organization.
Read about St. Louis Arc, a BBB Accredited Charity, in this profile on BBB's blog.
Learn More
Join BBB's campaign to ban dangerous dog bones
dog faces Pet owners tell BBB that Dynamic Pet Products' Real Ham Bones have sickened or killed their dogs after the animals ingested bone fragments. BBB has mounted a campaign to get the Missouri producer of the bones to stop selling the bones, but they have declined.

We're taking the campaign to the U.S. Senate and other government officials, and the New York Times also wrote about the bones recently.
Looking for trustworthy charities? Check BBB's online guide
Giving hands BBB Accredited Charities are a great choice for your donations or volunteer hours. More than 200 charities are listed in BBB's Accredited Charity Guide by type - those who serve adults, children, veterans, military members, people with various disabilities or diseases as well as charities dedicated to fighting hunger, improving literacy, preserving the environment and other causes. If a charity isn't listed in the guide, check its BBB Charity Review on BBB's website. 
Get Help From BBB With These Free Services
Follow BBB on Social Media
Like us on Facebook  Find us on Pinterest  Follow us on Twitter  Find us on Google+  View our profile on LinkedIn  View our videos on YouTube  Visit our blog
Better Business Bureau
Serving Eastern Missouri & Southern Illinois
211 N. Broadway, Suite 2060, St. Louis, Mo. 63102
314-645-3300