How do you know you are spending your money with the right company? After all, you hear horror stories about hiring someone to do a project and they either don’t finish the job and/or the work has to be done over. Or you order something and you never receive the product.


Here are some tips to help you make the right choice when selecting a company to do business with:

• Check with the BBB first. Does the BBB have a business review on the company? How long have they been in business? How many complaints do they have and how do they respond to them?
• Have you done business with the company before? Don’t assume that just because they say you have done business with them and they give you an account number that they are telling the truth. They could be scamming you, especially if they have initiated the contact.
• Where are they located? Toll-free numbers or even local numbers can be forwarded anywhere around the world. A con artist may be using a local number so you will trust him more.
• Is the website legitimate? A website can be made to look like a legitimate company, such as looking like your bank. Don’t click on links. Go directly to the website.
• Are you being pressured or threatened by warnings of charges, penalties, tax consequences, or cancellation of coverage? Con artists will use fear as a way to get you to contact them. Once on the phone, they are cunning in getting information from you without you realizing it. It’s not only your credit card or bank account number they want. They may use your personal information such as cell numbers and family names to help steal your identity in the future.
• What should you do when you suspect a scam? Turn the letter or postcard into your local post office and let them know your concerns. If it is an online scam, go to www.ic3.gov, the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
• How do you opt-out for credit card, magazine, catalog and other mailings? Register with the Direct Marketing Association at www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/regist.action.

Daily your BBB hears stories about consumers doing business with a bad company --- or worse, a con artist. We hate to hear those stories because many times people can’t get their money back. That’s why I am writing this blog – to keep you focused on checking with the BBB first before doing business.

Have you had problems with a business that could have been prevented?