Tips for Destroying Paper Records Yourself

• Shred all sensitive paper documents. Never just deposit them in the trash or dumpsterIdeally, use a shredder that cross-cuts, confetti-cuts, or particle-cuts.

• For extremely sensitive information use a "disintegrator," "granulator," "hammermill" or "grinder." These devices tear paper at random, or tear paper into extremely small pieces.

• Go to free shredding events sponsored by the Better Business Bureau. For locations and dates visit www.chicagoshreds.com

National Latino Educaton Institute 2012 Spring Career Fair

The National Latino Education Institute is have a 2012 Spring Career Fair on Thursday, April 19th! Pre-registration is strongly recommended!  The location is 2011 W. Pershing Road (39th & Damen).  To register please call 773-247-0707 ext. 218.

Businesses Targeted with Email Purportedly form the Better Business Bureau - IC3

Note: This is a repost of an Alert from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - March 27, 2012
Please see the following link: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2012/120327.aspx for the original alert.

Businesses Targeted With E-mail Purportedly from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)


The IC3 has received several complaints from businesses regarding an e-mail, purportedly from the BBB, which states the BBB has received a complaint from a customer regarding their business. The recipient is asked to review the complaint attached to the e-mail and respond to the BBB. The file attached to the e-mail contains a virus.

In one complaint received by the IC3, a business claimed their computer was infected with a virus after opening the attachment in the e-mail they received. As a result, the business lost nearly $100,000 when fraudsters successfully wired money from the company's bank account after the virus enabled them to capture passwords and other important banking information.

The BBB posted the following alert on December 7, 2011.

http://www.bbb.org/us/article/alert-malicious-complaint-email-claiming-its-from-bbb-30916

Vote for the Ending: Do You Like What They Did With Mass Effect 3?

Update: Message from Bioware, maker of Mass Effect 3 - http://blog.bioware.com/2012/03/21/4108/



Note: This blog is a repost of a blog created by Holly Doering, created on March 20th(
http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/03/vote-for-the-ending-do-you-like-what-they-did-with-mass-effect-3/):

Players of the Bioware game Mass Effect 3 who dislike the open-ended ending may complain to the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.


According to blogger Chris Morris, a user called “El Spiko” posted on the Bioware forums that he’s complained to the FTC about the trilogy’s resolution and is calling on other disgruntled fans to do the same.

“After reading through the list of promises about the ending of the game they made in their advertising campaign and PR interviews, it was clear that the product we got did not live up to any of those claims,” he wrote. “…after the terrible ending that was in no way the product that had been advertised to me and the lack of any kind of response from Bioware/EA to address this, I felt it was one of my only recourses.”

According to Morris, “Before complaining to the Feds, gamers launched the usual online protests, including a petition and a charity drive…”

I didn’t find either of the Facebook pages he mentions by searching within FB: pro-ending “Keep Mass Effect” or anti-ending “Retake Mass Effect 3,” but Mortz states that the Retake Mass Effect 3 page amassed some 42,000 supporters, and that a Twitter account has over 4,000 followers.

Within FB I did find a blog by Jonathan Holmes, who demands in his response “Retake Mass Effect? Let’s REMAKE Mass Effect” that Bioware make the game exactly like Super Mario Brothers.

Bioware hasn’t made any commitments to address the issue, but is said to have acknowledged the complaints on FB as follows (although again, I couldn’t find it using the FB search box.)

“We are aware that there are concerns about a recent post from this account regarding the ending of the game. In this post it was stated that at this time we do not have plans to change the ending. We would like to clarify that we are actively and seriously taking all player feedback into consideration and have ruled nothing out. At this time we are still collecting and considering your feedback and have not made a decision regarding requests to change the ending.

“Your feedback and opinions are of the utmost importance to us. We apologize for any confusion this has caused. Our top priority regarding this discussion is to keep communication with you, our loyal fans, open and productive.”

What do you think? Did you like the Mass Effect 3 ending? If you didn’t, does it ruin all three games for you or just the one?

Top Tax Tips from your Better Business Bureau

     While the deadline to file and/or pay your taxes was extended to April 17 this year, many Americans look forward to receiving a tax refund check from the government. During this tax season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Chicago and Northern Illinois advises taxpayers to use caution when filing returns to avoid making common mistakes and to use caution when selecting tax preparation help to avoid headaches and mounting fines or fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late.


     Consumers continue to use the BBB for advice on tax preparation services they can trust. The referral organization experienced a 122-percent increase in the number of individuals who researched Tax Return Preparation; that’s 7,542 inquiries for this 12 month period compared to 3,396 for the previous 12 months.

     “A tax refund can provide much-needed aid for families enduring financial hardship,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Your BBB advises the public to fill out their tax return forms carefully to help ensure they don’t make mistakes at a time when they can least afford it.”

The BBB offers the following tips for individuals still working on their returns:

• Research tax preparers you can trust for free at www.bbb.org

• Be wary of Tax Refund Anticipation Loans. This is a loan provided by a third party against a taxpayer's expected refund. The tax refund anticipation loan is not provided by the U.S. Treasury or the IRS and is subject to the interest and fees set by the lender. Some of these lenders have hidden fees and file inaccurate tax returns without consumer consent;

• Check for missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security Numbers which can delay a tax refund;

• Taxpayers must sign and date returns. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even with one income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign;

• File electronically instead of using paper tax forms to receive your refund more rapidly;

• Make any check out to “United States Treasury” and enclose it with, but don't attach it to, your return or Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher. Include your Social Security number, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed;

• If you are behind, get an extension for your return. By April 17, you should have either filed a return or requested an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay;

• Be sure to keep all receipts and other documents and forms that were used in preparing your tax return. The IRS has three years to audit a return. They can audit you without limitation if you do not file, file a false return, or purposely avoid paying taxes;

• If you notice a mistake on your prepared federal tax return, you can make changes by filing a 1040X. You have three years after filing to correct your return with this form.

For more advice on finding professionals you can trust, visit http://www.bbb.org/

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Shopping online? Know Your Knock-offs Cautions the Better Business Bureau

The online market for counterfeit luxury items is vast, bargain hunters can find everything from jewelry and perfume to handbags and sunglasses. The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois (BBB) offers advice on avoiding web-based rip-offs.


Online classified sites are hot spots for counterfeit luxury item fraud. Now unscrupulous vendors are setting up their own websites to fool frugal fashionistas, making it more difficult than ever to spot a scam.

“In a tight economy, consumers are always looking to save money,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois. “Too often, what looks to be a ‘great deal’ is really a knock-off in disguise.”

The BBB recommends the following advice for safe shopping online, as well as tips on how to spot fake merchandise:

Always deal with reputable businesses. The number one way to avoid getting ripped off when buying luxury goods is to deal with reputable businesses. When in doubt, shoppers can contact the manufacturer and verify which vendors are authorized sellers. Consumers should also check out the business with the BBB at www.bbb.org before making a purchase decision.

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. One of the biggest red flags for knock-off merchandise is an unrealistic price. Extremely low prices are tempting but not to be believed.

Read between the lines. Some websites or online classified ads will go overboard in their description of the item in order to coax the buyer’s trust. Overuse of “genuine,” “real” or “authentic” is a bad sign. Buyers also need to keep an eye out for phrases like “inspired by.”

Check the merchandise. Considering the name is a large part of the motivation for buying a luxury brand, many manufacturers spend considerable time and energy on crafting the physical label. Counterfeiters aren’t usually as meticulous. Shoppers should look for misspelled words and brand names, poorly sewn logos and labels, etc. Some luxury goods carry an “authenticity label” with a hologram or other security measure.

Know the brand. Different luxury brands, such as purses, have specific hardware consumers can rely on to identify a genuine piece. Zippers, screws, clasps and stitching are usually very specific for the brand and the manufacturer often has details on their website explaining what to look for and how to spot a knock-off. Craftsmanship is king for most luxury brands.

Consumers who have purchased counterfeit luxury goods should contact the BBB and can easily file complaints online at http://www.bbb.org/

For more consumer tips you can trust before making that purchase, visit www.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau says: Better Safe Than Sorry - Know Your Tax Preparer

Every year the BBB receives thousands of inquiries about tax preparers, and unfortunately complaints from consumers. Many Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing taxes this year. The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois (BBB) encourages taxpayers to use caution when selecting tax preparation help.

In the past twelve months, the BBB received 6,948 inquiries regarding Tax Return Preparation services; this is over twice as many inquiries as last year.

Commonly, complainants state that the tax preparer made errors in their return which resulted in fines and fees.

“Even though the tax preparer completes the return, it’s the taxpayer who is ultimately responsible for the return’s accuracy and whether or not it’s filed on time,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “The fines, fees and hassles can add up if you choose an unreliable tax preparer and that’s why it’s important to do your research.”

The Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to find a trustworthy tax preparer:

• Ask around. Get referrals from friends and family on who they use and check the BBB Reliability Report on tax preparation services at www.bbb.org

• Check on the preparer’s history. Check to see if the preparer has a questionable history with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org and check for any disciplinary actions and licensure status through the state boards of accountancy for certified public accountants; the state bar associations for attorneys; and the IRS Office of Enrollment for enrolled agents.

• Look for credentials. Ideally, your tax preparer should either be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney or an enrolled agent. All three can represent you before the IRS in all matters, including an audit. Also, find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that holds its members to a code of ethics.

• Don’t fall for the promise of a big refund. Be wary of any tax preparation service that promises larger refunds than the competition, and avoid any tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.

• Think about accessibility. Many tax preparation services only set up shop for the months leading up to April 15. In case the IRS finds errors, or in case of an audit, you might need to be able to contact your tax preparer throughout the year.

• Read the contract carefully. Read tax preparation service contracts closely to ensure you understand issues such as how much it is going to cost for the service, how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected and whether the tax preparer will represent you in case of an audit.

• Read the contract and know what you’re paying for. Understand how much the service costs, how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected, and whether the tax preparer will represent you in case of an audit and how much that will cost.

• Remember that it’s illegal for tax preparers to encourage you to falsify deductions, exemptions or income in order to pay less tax or obtain tax credits. If they ask you to sign a blank or incomplete form or guarantee that you won’t be audited, go elsewhere.

For more advice on finding professionals you can trust, visit http://www.bbb.org/