theMarketMonitorN E W S F O R B E T T E R B U S I N E S S B U R E A U A C C R E D I T E D B U S I N E S S E S®

B E T T E R B U S I N E S S B U R E A U S E R V I N G G R E A T E R C L E V E L A N D

Top 5 Scams reported on BBB Scam Tracker

• IRS Tax Collection

• Government Grants

• Bogus Debt Collection

• Sweepstakes/Lotteries

• Phony Tech Support

Want to report a scam? Go

to bbb.org/scamtracker.

INSIDE: Scam Victim Survey Results • Local Contractor Complaints • Kudos • B2B Discounts Lunch and Learn • Flash Webinars • Shred Day • Get Your Star Rating

AUGUST 2016

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Greater Cleveland BBB Activity Report: January - July 2016

Reports issued on companies/charities: 833,583

Customer complaints filed: 4,954

Online Accredited Business Directory listings viewed: 7,304,108

bbb.org/cleveland visits: 779,815

Advertising review cases initiated: 267

CUYAHOGAGEAUGA

LAKEASHTABULA

LORAIN

How many times have you wished there was someplace you could turn to file a complaint about a customer?

Or determine a customer’s credit worthiness without relying solely on credit reporting agencies? BBB can help!

A new benefit for BBB Accredited Businesses gives you easy access to KnowYourCustomers.com - a tool you can use to research records of non-payment reported by other sources. You can also use KnowYourCustomers.com to report customers who do not pay you.

BBB Accredited Businesses receive a 30% discount.

BBB has contracted with KnowYourCustomers.com to provide mediation or legally binding arbitration to settle disputes as an option to costly legal actions or collections.

Want more details? John Covender, CEO and Founder of KnowYourCustomers.com will conduct a webinar on October 13, 2016 to explain the many benefits of this service. Or contact John Covender at (330) 510-5995 x102 or john@knowyourcustomers.com.

Mark your calendar for December 8th. BBB’s “Celebration of Integrity” meeting will be held that morning at Stillwater Place, a stunning event center located at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Guests will be shuttled from the parking lot to the center to enjoy breakfast and our annual recognition for “Students of Integrity” and “Champions of Integrity”. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

Ed “Flash” Ferenc will be our emcee. You may remember Flash as part of the top-rated “Buzzard Morning Zoo” on WMMS-FM. These

days, Flash hosts a daily labor radio program called “America’s Workforce” on WERE 1490 AM.

Watch your email for more information on this event.

NEW B2B DISCOUNT CAN HELP YOU KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS

CELEBRATION OF INTEGRITY TO BE HELD AT EXCITING NEW VENUE

“We had a customer that was many weeks past due. I submitted

(them) to KnowYourCustomers.com...the payment did arrive. Your service was easy to use and it got

results. Thanks.”Steve Giordano

Team Logic IT, General Manager/Owner

®

Follow us at:

BBB SURVEY REVEALS SURPRISING RESULTS ABOUT SCAM VICTIMS

The stereotype of the “little old lady” as scam victim is wrong, and Millennials are actually more vulnerable to scams than Baby Boomers. That’s the conclusion of new research by the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute). Marketplace scams affect one in four North American households each year at an estimated loss to individuals and families of $50 billion, yet most consumers believe they are invulnerable.

The research, Cracking the Invulnerability Illusion: Stereotypes, Optimism Bias, and the Way Forward for Marketplace Scam Education, is based on a survey of more than 2,000 adults in the U.S. and Canada. Participants were asked about their perceived vulnerability to scams, who they think is most likely to be scammed, and about the factors that helped them to avoid being scammed. The participants did not know that BBB was the sponsor of the survey.

The infographic on the right provides highlights of the research.

LOCAL CONTRACTOR BUILDING PATTERN OF HOMEOWNER COMPLAINTS

A Strongsville home improvement company whose Operating Manager is linked to several other home improvement companies is generating serious complaints with Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland (BBB). Homeowners tell BBB that All Together Construction has accepted payment for jobs that were either never started or were not completed satisfactorily. All Together Construction has an “F” rating with BBB for unresolved and unanswered complaints.

Ken Adams is identified in BBB files as the Operating Manager of All Together Construction. Adams is also

affiliated in BBB records with several other home improvement businesses, some of which went out of business leaving unresolved and unanswered complaints.

Bellagio Roofing and Gutter - This company operated from the same address as All Together Construction and closed in 2012 leaving three unanswered complaints.

Prestique Roofing went out of business in approximately December 2004 leaving 27 unpursuable complaints.

Cleveland Home Improvement Co., Inc. - Ken Adams was the owner of this business until March, 2003, when he advised BBB he had ceased operations. At the time it closed, BBB had 11 consumer complaints, two of which were closed as unresolved and four as unanswered. (Not to be confused with Cleveland Home Improvement Company located in Lakewood).

Dream Works Home Improvement, LLC - Ken Adams was the General Manager of this business. In June of this year, the Ohio Attorney General filed a lawsuit naming Dream Works Home Improvement and Kenneth Adams as defendants. The action alleges that the company took payment for repairs that were either never begun, never completed, or substandard. The matter is pending.

KUDOS

BBB Director, Kris Toth, has been appointed National NARI Vice Chair of the Bylaws and Ethics Committee. Toth owns Toth Painting Solutions and

serves as Secretary of BBB’s Board of Directors.

B2B DISCOUNTS FOR BBB ACCREDITED

BUSINESSES

Easton Telecom Phone service rates ranging as low as 5% off most retail services. For a no-obligation cost comparison and service analysis, contact Jim Butler at (800) 222-8122.

All Ohio Secure Shred will shred documents on site for $25/month for one container. Also, one-time bulk purge for 10 cents/lb. $50 minimum. Call (330) 659-0840 or (888) 747-3394.

Intellicorp Records, Inc. offers online criminal checks for $17.07 each. Other reports also discounted. Call (800) 539-3717.

PartnerShip® offers discounts on select FedEx® services including express packages, ground packages, and residential delivery, on both new and existing FedEx® accounts. Also save at least 70% on standard and guaranteed LTL freight shipments with UPS Freight and other reputable carriers, including competitive pricing on truckload, expedited, and tradeshow shipments. Call (800) 599-2902.

Some member discount programs generate revenue which BBB reinvests into the organization’s operations.

bbb.org/cleveland

theMarketMonitor

Scammers are easy to spot.

Scammers are sophisticated master-manipulators.

Internet makes it easy and profitable for fraudsters to operate undetected.

Scammers are chameleons—they change their names and pose as sources you trust.

This is someone else’s problem.

We are all at risk.

Scams have little economic impact.

Nearly 1 in 5 individuals lose money to a scam each year . . .

. . . with annual losses estimated at $50 billion.

69% of victims are under 45

78% of victims hold a college or graduate degree

MYTHS ABOUT SCAMS Scammeasy to

5

The losses are staggering.

In r

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No point in reporting a scam.

49% of people who report scams do so to help warn others.

BBB is the #1 place for reporting scams.

Source: CBBB Research, 2016

In f

act:

#1

5

I can't protect myself.

Stay informed.

60% of those who lost money to a scam agree that techniques used and being unfamiliar with the scam were contributing factors.

80% of our respondentssaid knowing abouta particular scam helped them avoid an attempt.

Actu

ally,

it

is b

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Scammers gain your trust.

Would you like to report a scam?

REPORT

You and your employees are invited to tune in to these FREE, 30 minute webinars that get straight to the point and cover important details on helpful topics. So grab your computer and let your BBB help advance your business in the time it takes to enjoy your morning coffee!

September 29th, 9:00 a.m.Businesses Beware: Scammers Want You! Recognizing Scams That Target Your Business.Presented by: Harris Senturia, Federal Trade Commission

October 6th, 9:00 a.m.Sure, I have a Firewall…I Think. Basic ISP Firewalls: Are they secure enough?Presented by: Vic Manfredi of Affordable-IT

October 13th, 9:00 a.m.How Well Do You “Know Your Customers”? New service offers peace of mind and BBB Members Only Discount.Presented by: John Covender of Know Your Customers

October 27th, 9:00 a.m.Viruses, Hackers, and Malware - OH MY! Securing your network from attacks.Presented by: Vic Manfredi of Affordable-IT Watch your email for registration information, or find it in the events listings on bbb.org/Cleveland.

Interested in presenting a BBB Flash Webinar? Have questions? Contact Brigid at (216) 623-8964 x206 or brigid@cleveland.bbb.org.

LUNCH AND LEARN

Monday, October 17th, time and location to be announcedDon’t Let Scammers Hold You Hostage! Ransomware is on the rise – are you protected?Sponsored and Presented by: Affordable-IT

Have questions? Contact Brigid at (216) 623-8964 x206 or brigid@cleveland.bbb.org

BBB FLASH Webinar

The Market MonitorBetter Business Bureau2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th FloorCleveland, OH 44115-2417

The Market Monitor (ISSN 1085-5122). August 2016. Volume 12 No. 4. Published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Better Business Bureau, Inc. 2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44115-2417, Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Market Monitor, 2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44115-2417.

Periodicals Postage PaidThe Market MonitorBetter Business Bureau2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th FloorCleveland, OH 44115-2417

Periodicals Postage Paid

BBB Shredding Event

October 1, 201610:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Bring up to 3 boxes or bags of documents for secure shredding to these locations:

Wickliffe29257 Anderson Rd.

Westlake27051 Detroit Rd.

AUGUST 2016