http://westernwashington.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=114&id=a824b759-3137-43b5-aedf-a38056bcce73&debug=False 10 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT BBB and its partners served 1,192 people and destroyed roughly 36,120 pounds of personal documents as part of Secure Your ID Day on April 20, 2013. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbbs-shredding-and-recycling-events-reduce-local-identity-theft-risks-41504 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT During Financial Literacy Month in April, Better Business Bureau reminds consumers to keep track of their credit reports to help prevent identity theft. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/credit-reports-are-an-identity-theft-protection-tool-41239 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT With threats on the rise, Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington is once again offering free document shredding immediately following the tax deadline. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-offers-free-tax-time-shredding-40787 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:00:00 GMT Scams and identity thefts are particularly prevalent risks during tax time. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/online-and-offline-scams-target-tax-filers-40523 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT Tax Tuesday: Identity Theft Prevention Reminders From BBB With tax season in progress, identity thieves know that W-2s are now in mailboxes, vehicles and other unsecured locations. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/tax-season-thieves-are-after-w-2-details-39989 Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Better Business Bureau reminds consumers that “Computer Software Publishers & Developers” and “Game & Supplies” companies are typically among BBB’s most-inquired-about industries http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/set-a-game-plan-before-gaming-38510 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 05:00:00 GMT Better Business Bureau will be hosting Secure Your ID Day events at locations across the Pacific Northwest. Drive up to drop off three bags or boxes of unwanted documents http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/secure-your-identity-and-finances-on-oct-20-2012-37518 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 05:00:00 GMT Opt Out of Junk Mail to Reduce Shredding Piles http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/identity-theft-risks-lurk-in-the-mail-37249 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT Free Events in Anchorage, Portland and Everett http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-shreds-for-free-on-oct-20-37131 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 05:00:00 GMT Headlines and Hot Issues May Be Bait http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/vote-for-a-scam-free-election-season-36230 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT OSU Students and Alumni Should Monitor Accounts http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/oregon-state-university-data-breach-leads-to-id-theft-alert-35990 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 05:00:00 GMT BBB and Pacific Alarm Systems Host First Oregon Coast Secure Your ID Day: June 30, 2012 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/shred-day-supports-id-theft-prevention-in-clatsop-county-35071 Tue, 15 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT Dispose of Documents and Old Cell Phones http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/shred-day-supports-id-theft-prevention-34322 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT - How do personal documents, identification cards and cell phones end up in the wrong hands? http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/be-money-smart-by-shredding-and-recycling-33833 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT Most consumers know someone who has been scammed out of money or victimized by identity theft, but recent news suggests that fraudsters are finally ready to retire from scamming. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/schemers-of-the-world-promise-to-stop-scamming-33561 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT St. Patrick’s Day Phishing Scams Surface as People Look to Celebrate the Occasion http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/that-pot-of-gold-might-be-a-sham-rock-33299 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT For the fourth tip of National Consumer Protection Week—or NCPW—Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington reminds consumers to take steps in identity protection. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ncpw-reminder-guard-against-identity-theft-33156 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT 2012 Shred Day: April 21 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-shreds-documents-after-tax-season-32929 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington investigates fraud reports throughout the year and reveals some of the most common scams of 2011 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-presents-11-common-scams-of-2011-31876 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT Protecting children Online is at the top of BBB's wish list. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/i-saw-mommy-emailing-santa-claus-31280 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington has received dozens of reports of these fake complaint notices. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/phony-bbb-complaint-email-hits-businesses-nationwide-30933 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT National Protect Your ID Week, Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, is a reminder to shred documents to help prevent identity theft and secure data http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/october-22-shred-it-and-forget-it-30092 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT Better Business Bureau warns Alaskans to be on alert for phony calls about viruses on their computers. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/computer-virus-hoax-hits-alaska-29880 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT Don't Expect Refunds From Tracer Tricksters http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/fha-tracer-job-offers-raise-red-flags-29755 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT Stay Away from Common Scams Stay Away from Common Scams http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-event-anti-fraud-presentations-coming-to-eastern-oregon-29506 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT Better Business Bureau is bringing free shredding services to Eagle River, Southwest Portland and DuPont on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/gather-documents-for-fall-shred-event-29283 Wed, 18 May 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/auction-sites-bbb-says-bid-with-caution-27412 Fri, 13 May 2011 05:00:00 GMT Michaels Stores Announce Tampered PIN Pads at U.S. Locations http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/thieves-get-crafty-with-pin-skimmers-27308 Wed, 11 May 2011 05:00:00 GMT BBB Tips to Decrease Environmental Impact and Identity Theft Risk http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/opt-out-to-reduce-unwanted-mail-27234 Wed, 11 May 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/welcome-to-the-sucker-list-27247 Thu, 05 May 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-scams-proliferate-after-bin-ladens-death-27155 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMT BBB Secure Your ID Day Helps Save Identities and the Environment http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/pre-earth-day-event-fights-id-theft-and-pollution-26811 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMT Saturday, April 16, Better Business Bureau and local partners are offering free document shredding and cell phone recycling. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/shred-and-recycle-on-april-16-26697 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMT Email Privacy Is At Risk http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/e-mail-breach-from-epsilon-and-its-clients-26490 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMT Friendly Fraud Increased In 2010 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/5-dangerous-places-to-store-social-security-numbers-26147 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:00:00 GMT National Consumer Protection Week http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/avoid-scams-that-hit-alaska-oregon-and-western-washington-25889 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT Don't Get Cheated Out of Love http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/online-dating-has-its-pros-and-cons-25215 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT BBB Warns Of Unsolicited Callers Claiming to Fix Computers http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/cons-mimic-microsoft-say-computer-has-problems-25041 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/undoing-work-at-home-damage-24978 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT Identity thieves impersonate trustworthy sources or create fictitious reasons to contact consumers to try to get personal information http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/phishing-vishing-and-smishing-24786 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT Con artists pose as employers or recruiters http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/job-scams-24716 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/protect-debit-card-numbers-from-atm-skimming-24610 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:00:00 GMT BBB Offers Managing Credit – Made Simpler http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/new-years-resolutions-better-credit-less-debt-24508 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT Drivers: Steer Clear http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/200-payday-promised-in-falsified-bbb-e-mail-23087 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT Free Shredding and Recycling Event Protects IDs and The Environment http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/local-bbb-breaks-records-with-secure-your-id-day-23068 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT BBB Reveals Five "Don'ts" To Avoid Scams http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/top-tip-offs-to-rip-offs-23054 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT Identify Cons, Avoid Scams, Protect Cash and Personal Data http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/beware-of-fraud-schemes-attend-scam-jam-2010-22854 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT BBB Calls for Proper Cell Phone Disposal http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/cell-phone-users-block-identity-theft-risks-22763 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT 10 Tips for Identity Theft Prevention on Campus http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/college-age-students-take-longer-to-detect-id-theft-22357 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT BBB Anti-Fraud and Community Recognition Events http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/mark-the-calendar-for-bbbs-event-line-up-22328 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT Caller ID Fraud Targets BBB Accredited Business http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/wash-alert-scammer-calling-for-credit-card-numbers-21876 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:00:00 GMT ID Theft & Legal Protection Firm Uses Deceptive Trial Offer To Get New Program Participants http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/free-gift-voucher-dont-take-the-bait-20360 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:00:00 GMT Protect Privacy Online http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/avoid-web-schemes-on-social-networking-sites-20038 Wed, 26 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT Secure Your ID Day Comes to Soldotna, Saturday, July 17 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-brings-free-shred-event-to-the-kenai-peninsula-19783 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT Phase two of the Census begins Saturday, May 1 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/know-what-to-expect-if-census-workers-knock-19236 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT Secure Your ID Day Helped Prevent Identity Theft and Environmental Impact http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-shredding-event-helped-the-evironment-19155 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Local BBB Arms Alaska for National Consumer Protection Week, March 7-13 http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/data-breaches-put-consumers-and-employees-at-risk-18008 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT It's Good For the Environment and For Protecting Your Identity http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/shred-documents-bbb-brings-secure-your-id-day-to-eugene-residents-17934 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT Prevent Losing Finances and Personal Information to Impostors http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/2010-census--bbb-says-be-cooperative-but-cautious-14749 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT 2009 will be remembered as a year when consumer finance, employment and pop-culture trends were at the forefront of everyone's minds—especially scammers, who preyed heavily on emotions. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/bbb-reports-the-top-10-scams-and-rip-offs-of-2009-14421 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT BBB Alerts Consumers, Say "No" To Strangers http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/5-common-scams-targeting-seniors-13427 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT E-mail recipients may receive notification that appears to be from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/computers-users-seek-protection-from-fake-fdic-insurance-notice-13210 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT BBB Provides Resources to Help Prevent Identity Theft http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/income-age-status-identity-thieves-dont-discriminate-12674 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT Your BBB offers Secure Your ID Day: A free document shredding event! http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/shred-it-and-forget-it-on-october-17-12546 Mon, 01 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT It’s your lucky day! You just won a foreign lottery! The letter says so. And the cashier’s check to cover the taxes and fees is included. All you have to do to get your winnings is deposit the check and wire the money to the sender to pay the taxes and fees. You’re guaranteed that when they get your payment, you’ll get your prize. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-giving-the-bounce-to-counterfeit-check-scams--4661 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 launched a new era: With limited exceptions, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before they file. They also must complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-before-you-file-for-personal-bankruptcy-information-about-credit-counseling-and-debtor-education--4723 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT The next time you write a check to your local merchant, the cashier may hand it back to you after the payment has been processed – electronically. Or maybe you’re mailing a check as payment to a company. That payment, too, may be processed electronically. Why? More merchants and companies are using electronic check conversion, which converts information from your paper check into an electronic payment from your bank account. In fact, NACHA – the Electronic Payments Association – estimates that more than 1.7 billion paper checks were converted through in-store and mail-in transactions in 2005. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-electronic-check-conversion-4647 Mon, 01 May 2006 05:00:00 GMT The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) spells out rights for victims of identity theft, as well as responsibilities for businesses. Identity theft victims are entitled to ask businesses for a copy of transaction records — such as applications for credit — relating to the theft of their identity. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-businesses-must-provide-victims-and-law-enforcement-with-transaction-records-relating-to-identity-theft-4465 Mon, 01 May 2006 05:00:00 GMT COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS: Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including: http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-fighting-back-against-identity-theft-4683 Sat, 01 Apr 2006 05:00:00 GMT Many companies collect personal information from their customers, including names, addresses, and phone numbers; bank and credit card account numbers; income and credit histories; and Social Security numbers. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Act requires companies defined under the law as “financial institutions” to ensure the security and confidentiality of this type of information. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-financial-institutions-and-customer-information-complying-with-the-safeguards-rule-4477 Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:00:00 GMT When you think of your own personal assets, chances are your home, car, and savings and investments come to mind. But what about your Social Security number (SSN), telephone records and your bank and credit card account numbers? To people known as “pretexters,” that information is a personal asset, too. http://westernwashington.bbb.org/article/ftc-pretexting-your-personal-information-revealed-4699