Serving 14 counties in northwest Florida

April 2009

Published for BBB® Accredited Businesses

LIGHTHOUSE

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You’re InvIted! ..........................................................................................1ABOUT YOUR BBB .........................................................................2LIghtIng the WAY ...................................................................................2JuSt For Fun..............................................................................................2BBB NEwS .......................................................................................3BBB AdvertISIng revIeW report ................................................3BBB LAuncheS bbb trustbrief ......................................................3check out the LIghthouSe onLIne............................................3BBB BuSIneSS Buzz .................................................................................3“Secure Your Id” .....................................................................................3FOUNdATION FOcUS ................................................................... 4

Your BBB out And ABout ............................................................... 4chArItY AccountABILItY StAndArdS ...................................... 4wISE GIvING GUIdE ......................................................................5AccREdITATION NEwS ............................................................... 6neW AccredIted BuSIneSSeS ......................................................... 6FOR THE REcORd ..........................................................................7gIvIng BuSIneSS A BAd nAme ..........................................................7unSAtISFActorY reportS .................................................................7Be on the Look-out .............................................................................7BBB NEwS .......................................................................................8“Secure Your Id” dAY ...........................................................................8

IN THIS ISSUE

You’re Invited!Fourth annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, customer Service Excellence Award and Student Ethics ScholarshipJoin us as we recognize local businesses and charities for their overall commitment to ethical business practices, employees for going above and beyond in their customer service activities and students for their commitment to personal integrity.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on goods and services in a silent auction to benefit your BBB Foundation serving northwest Florida.

district IWednesday, may 6new World Landing600 S. palafox St. pensacola, FL 32501

district IIthursday, may 14Sundestin1040 highway 98 eastdestin, FL 32541

district IIItuesday, may 12Black Angus restaurant4500 W. hwy 98panama city, FL 32401

11 a.m. - networking, registration & silent auction11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. program1 p.m. - Bidding closes on silent auction items

For more information on donating silent acution items or to reserve a table, please contact 850.429.0026, toll-free 1.800.729.9226 or info@nwfl.bbb.org.

BBB FoundAtIon oF northWeSt FLorIdA #ch15989 A copY oF the oFFIcIAL regIStrAtIon And FInAncIAL InFormAtIon mAY Be oBtAIned From the dIvISIon oF conSumer ServIceS BY cALLIng toLL-Free (800-435-7352) WIthIn the StAte. regIStrAtIon doeS not ImpLY endorSement, ApprovAL, or recommendAtIon BY the StAte

ABout Your BBB

Main Office912 e. gadsden St.

pensacola, FL 32501850.429.0026 member line

850.429.0006 fax 800.729.9226 toll free

info@nwfl.bbb.org | bbb.org

What We Stand FordirectorsExecutive committee

chairperson ted kirchharr

Landrum companies

vice chair Bill moats

regions Bank

Secretary calvin Wilson

gulf power

Treasurer Will clause

Southern Breeze one hour A/c & heating

Legal counsel robert Beasley

Litvak, Beasley & Wilson LLc

Past chair mike grossman

cox communications

directors

Fran crumpton gulf coast trade exchange

david delgallo Advanced construction Services

Steve Fifer State Farm Insurance

Sparkie Folkers retired

Alan moore Fisher-Brown Insurance

randy o’connor Fresh creative

robert richardson erA Legacy reality

don Schroeder Wpnn Am 790

gary Sluder gene’s Floor covering

Jeff vannoy vannoy’s tires

Belie Williams the villas at gulf Breeze

John Williams John Williams construction

greg Yordon Beltone hearing center -

panama city

Lighting the WayBy: norman Wright

Spring has sprung and we are continually working hard here at your BBB. We just had our “Secure Your Id” day free shredding event in pensacola and mary esther, in which we partnered with Gilmore Services, cat country 98.7, wEAR-Tv 3 and Mix 103.1. We were really excited about the turn out we received and hope to receive just as much participation at this month’s “Secure Your

Id” day shredding event on April 18 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at cordova mall in pensacola and panama city mall in panama city where you can receive free document shredding (up to 50 pounds) and information on protecting yourself from identity theft.

We are also getting ready for the torch Award luncheons coming up on may 6, 12 and 14. For locations and time, please see page 1 in this Lighthouse. We would like to thank our

current sponsors for this year’s torch Award: All Pro Sound, Allied waste Industries, Hixardt Technologies, Inc., Peaden Air conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and Pen Air Federal credit Union.

We are still accepting silent auction items for the torch Awards, so if you are able to donate an item, product or service for the event, please contact your BBB at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or e-mail info@nwfl.bbb.org. It’s a great way to promote your business.

We want to hear from you! Is your business promoting your Accreditation uniquely? do you have a success story of how your Accreditation helped your business? help us help our other Accredited Businesses—share your story and in return we’ll include it your story in the next issue of the Lighthouse, distributed to nearly 2,600 locations throughout northwest Florida.

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We do this by:• creating a community of trustworthy businesses

• Setting standards for marketplace trust

• encouraging and supporting best practices

• recognizing marketplace role models

• denouncing substandard marketplace behavior

Just for funFrom actual calls to BBBA consumer wrote to complain that she had to return a sandwich that had a roach in it to a business. the manager’s response, “Our roaches do not look like this roach so it could not of come from here.”

“i have feet in two different sizes. this shoe store refused to sell me one shoe of each size; they told me they only sell shoes in pairs. i think this is discrimination!”

A consumer called to file a complaint. the representative proceeded to explain how to file one via the Web site. At the end of the conversation he said, “thank you. You have been so helpful. i won’t need to take anymore of my medication today.” We didn’t dare ask what kind of medication.

our missionto be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.

our visionAn ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

Editorial Staff:

norman Wright, BBB president/ceo

mike cook and tammy Fowler, Advertising review

karen Szulczewski, Apr, communications director

robin pittman, communications Intern

Your Better Business Bureau of northwest Florida encourages you to contact BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist the BBB in fulfilling its function of improving our economic system through informed decision making. Lighthouse is a monthly publication produced by the Better Business Bureau of northwest Florida, Inc. and the Better Business Bureau Foundation of northwest Florida, Inc., 912 e. gadsden Street, pensacola, FL 32501.

BBB Advertising review reportAdvertising review promotes truth in advertising. An “ad challenge” is made through your BBB’s regular monitoring efforts, while an “ad complaint” is the result of information provided by consumers or competitors. here are brief summaries of the ad review challenges and complaints we handled in march. We sincerely thank those businesses that cooperate with our self-regulation efforts. If you see a problem tv, radio or print ad, let us know about it at 850.429.0026 or toll-free at 800.729.9226.

BBB neWS

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“Secure Your Id”come join us during “Secure Your Id” day shredding event!

Your BBB serving northwest Florida invites individuals to join us again as we take the necessary steps in protecting their identity during this year’s “Secure Your Id” day shredding event.

BBB is partnering locally with gilmore Services, WeAr-tv ABc 3 (pensacola), cat country 98.7 and WJhg-tv nBc 7 (panama city) and nationally with nAId to help individuals take steps to protect their personal information.

BBB “Secure Your Id” day details:

• April 18

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• cordova Mall, Pensacola

• Panama city Mall, Panama city

Bring up to 50 pounds of documents to be shredded free-of-charge and take home tips and resources you need to help protect yourself.

contrary to popular belief, only 12 percent of identity theft is committed online. the majority of identity theft occurs when the thief has direct contact with the victim’s personal information such as through a stolen or lost wallet, or by rifling through the victim’s mailbox or trash.

For more information on “Secure Your Id” day visit www.nwfl.bbb.org/secureId and for additional advice you can trust on protecting yourself against identity theft, start with bbb.org.

complaint or challenge?

Business claim/complaint Outcome

challenge construction BBB Accredited Business seal violation: Web site stated “membership in BBB;”

business is not BBB Accredited

Business failed to respond. BBB reliability reporttm updated to reflect unanswered

ad challenge; BBB rating now “F”

challenge retail comparative price, value and savings claims: newspaper Ad stated “up to 50% off” without stating a minimum

percentage amount to establish a range of savings

Business agreed to remove statement from further publications.

challenge roofing contractor BBB Accredited Business seal violation: Business flyer shows BBB seal; business

is not BBB Accredited

Business has agreed to remove seal from further publications.

challenge handyman Service BBB Accredited Business seal violation: Web site stated “Accredit member of BBB;” business is not BBB Accredited

Business could not be located, but does not appear to be out of business.

challenge home Improvement company

BBB Accredited Business seal violation: Web site stated membership in BBB and

business is not BBB Accredited

Business failed to respond. BBB reliability reporttm updated to reflect unanswered

ad challenge; BBB rating now “F”

check out the Lighthouse onlineYour BBB is constantly looking to find the best use of your Accreditation fees. our plans are to send the Lighthouse electronically every month and only print the newsletter every other month to reduce printing and postage costs. to view the Lighthouse online, please go to nwfl.bbb.org/Lighthouse. If you did not receive an e-mailed copy, please contact us with an updated e-mail address at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or info@nwfl.bbb.org.

BBB Business BuzzA good word about BBB Accredited Businesscat country 98.7 Fm was named the 2009 Academy of country music Station of the Year and was also awarded the 2009 Academy of country music Award for personalities of the Year for “the cat pak morning Show.”

BBB launches bbb trustbriefBBB recently launched the bbb trustbrief, a free weekly e-newsletter designed to help businesses stay on top of the news and get insider tips that matter most to them. A sample of the bbb trustbrief was sent via e-mail to all our Accredited Businesses for whom we had e-mail addresses. It is another way BBB is helping Accredited Businesses, and those interested in learning more about building and maintaining trust within the marketplace. Although our main target for the bbb trustbrief is our Accredited Businesses, anyone may sign up to receive it. Sign up for the free newsletter at www.smartbrief.org/bbb.

If you did not receive the e-mail, please contact us at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or info@nwfl.bbb.org with an updated e-mail address.

FoundAtIon FocuSAbout your BBB Foundation our missionto support your BBB’s vision of an ethical marketplace through community education and recognition programs.

BBB Foundation trusteeschairman Jim cox

JLSc properties, LLc

vice chairman Lori clause

the Studer group

Secretary/Treasurer Will clause

Southern Breeze one hour A/c & heating

counsel robert Beasley

Litvak, Beasley & Wilson LLp

Past chairman gail thompson

Fireman termite & pest control

Trustees gary Barnes

Wal-mart, creighton rd

mike grossman cox communications

ted kircharr Landrum companies

randy o’connor Fresh creative

Bill r. moats, Jr. regions Bank

dr. ed ranelli university of West

Florida

Bobby taylor All pro Sound

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BBB Foundation thanks our current Education Sponsor:

charity Accountability Standards 1. have a board of directors that provides oversight of operations and staff.

2. have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

3. have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation.

4. have not more than one or 10 percent (whichever is greater) compensated person(s) serving as voting board member(s). chair or treasurer cannot be compensated.

5. have no transaction in which any board member or staff members have a material conflicting interest, resulting from any relationship or affiliation.

6. have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and future actions required to achieve its mission.

7. Submit to the board, for approval, a written report giving the results of standard six.

8. Spend at least 65 percent of its total expenses on program activities.

9. Spend no more than 35 percent of related contributions on fund-raising.

10. Avoid accumulating funds that could be used on program activities.

11. make available financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

12. Include in the financial statements what portion was allocated to program, fund raising and administrative activities.

13. Accurately report the charity’s expenses in its financial statements.

14. have a board-approved annual budget.

15. have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading.

16. have an annual report that includes mission, program, officers and finances.

17. Include annual report on charity Web site(s), as well as the mailing address and access to its most recent IrS Form 990.

18. Address privacy concerns of donors.

19. clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services.

20. respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by BBB.

BBB Foundation thanks our Torch Award Sponsors:

Bronze ($500)All Pro Sound

Allied waste IndustriesHixardt Technologies, Inc.

Peaden Air conditioning, Heating & PlumbingPen Air Federal credit Union

note: the Standards for charity Accountability included in this compliance guide have been abbreviated for space purposes. For a complete listing of Standards, start with bbb.org.

Your BBB out and About

tammy Fowler answers questions at the okaloosa county chamber Business expo.

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WISe gIvIng guIdename of charity

*Accredited charity Seal participant

Standards Met

Standards Not Met Unable to Verify Did Not

DiscloseAmerican cancer Society (panama city) American cancer Society escambia/Santa rosa American heart Association of northwest Florida American Lung Association of Florida Anchorage childrens home of Bay county, Inc. (12 total) 14, 16 17 1, 3, 6, 7

Boy Scouts of America caring and Sharing of South Walton county, Inc. UNdER

REvIEw

catholic charities of northwest Florida, Inc.* (20 total) children in crisis, Inc. Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc. council on Aging of West Florida* UNdER

REvIEw

covenant hospice (12 total) 9, 12, 14, 16, 17 1, 18

creation Science evangelism disabled police officer’s of America, Inc. Families count in northwest Florida Favor house of northwest Florida, Inc. Fraternal order of police Lodge 115 homefront hugs uSA, Inc. manna Food Bank nAAcp neighborhood enterprise Foundation, Inc. Shelter house, Inc. UNdER

REvIEw

St. Vincent De Paul Charity at St. Ann’s Church Teen Challenge International The Reframe Foundation The Salvation Army (Panama City) United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida Waterfront Rescue Mission, Inc. Youth in Action (5 total) 11, 13, 16 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18

Note: currently there are approximately 150 charities in our database. due to a large number of charities receiving the same number of inquiries, the 29 with the most inquiries during the past quarter are listed on this page. Inclusion should not be interpreted as approval or disapproval. the information is intended solely to assist donors in exercising their own judgment. did not disclose or declined to be evaluated:these charitable organizations either have not responded to BBB requests for information or have declined to be evaluated in relation to the Wise giving Alliance’s standards for Charity Accountability. Without the requested information, we cannot determine if these charities adhere to the standards for Charity Accountability. participation in BBB’s charity review efforts is voluntary.

cANTONMENT

elliott’s heating & Air conditioning, Inc.

2330 elna rd 850 968-1216

Antonio chason

cRAwFORdvILLE

Jp roberts and company, Inc.145 posey rd 850 251-4166david damon

dESTIN

Auto Works of destin, LLc221 main St

850 837-6667haim david

Sandcastle escapes, LLc12555 emerald coast pkwy

Ste c 850 650-2753taylor Williams

FORT wALTON BEAcH

Fleischman’s , Inc.1519 ponderosa rd e

850 862-3847michael Fleischman

HAvANA

Audio video connections855 Leslie Lewis rd

850 251-4931mark Ice

John d Jones A/c heating & refrigeration, Inc.

po Box 497 850 539-7294mychelle Jones

LYNN HAvEN

Aqua - glass pools1812 tennessee Ave Ste A

850 277-4500Joseph p. Simpson

MILTON

Solid Solutions of nWFL Inc.4990 Ward Basin rd

850 450-8727Joshua Smith

AccredItAtIon neWSnew Accredited BusinessesA business or practice cannot just “join” the BBB by paying dues. It must have a history of ethical practices and adhere to fair advertising and selling standards. We thank our new Accredited Businesses who are telling their customers and neighbors that they want to do their part to make their community a good place to do business and live, and that they believe in business self-regulation and consumer education. We urge fellow Accredited Businesses to support our new “partners” whenever possible when making purchases. new Accredited Businesses, thank you for your support and welcome aboard. these businesses meet BBB Accreditation standards and were accepted during march 2009.

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NIcEvILLE

Aqua - glass pools111 John Sims pkwy W

850 729-2837Joseph p. Simpson

PANAMA cITY

American classifieds1325 harrison Ave

850 747-1155Frank e kerr

Atr enterprises of Bay county 7720 old Bicycle rd

850 871-6010Adam robinson

herzing roofing, LLc1040 Jenks Ave 850 960-4651dale herzing

personal touch cleaning Service 1202 Stephen dr Apt 4

850 481-0117Wesley Smith

PENSAcOLA

Anderson Air, LLc882 Sterling Way

850 346-0979Sean Anderson

carson’s pawn Shop2706 n pace Blvd

850 438-5311randy Spivey

ears that hear9013 university pkwy Ste e

850 476-1502dean easterwood

Fulton & rabinowitz chiropractic 2107 W nine mile rd Ste 3

850 473-5555david Fulton

ondra home Building, LLc16410 n Shore ct

850 492-4344tomas ondra

Sun dog grooming parlor4601 W Jackson St

850 456-2770Sharon edmonston

SHALIMAR

Watree construction and Land developing, LLc

6 country club rd 850 314-0828

thomas Watkins

SOPcHOPPY

Insurance group of north Florida Inc.

58 rose Ave 850 962-1186

James Stokley

BBB looking for “best practices”How has your BBB Accreditation helped you?

Your BBB is looking to help BBB Accredited Businesses get the most out of their Accreditation. And who better to ask than those businesses who are taking advantage of all that BBB Accreditation has to offer?

how have you used your Accreditation to promote your business?

how has BBB Accreditation helped you in the marketplace?

Share your story with BBB and we’ll include it, along with your business’ name and contact information in future issues of the Lighthouse, distributed to over 2,600 business locations throughout northwest Florida.

e-mail your successes to info@nwfl.bbb.org, call 850.429.0026 or 800.729.9226 or write to us at BBB|northwest Florida, 912 e. gadsden St., pensacola, FL 32501

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giving business a bad nameBe on the look-out for home improvement scams As warm weather approaches, your BBB warns

homeowners to be on the lookout for home improvement scams. this is the time of year when less-than-reputable or unqualified contractors come

into town promising a variety of services at low-cost prices. they may show up at your door, advertise in local papers or deliver fliers to your home.

complaints to the BBB concern a wide range of problems, including high-pressure sales tactics, confusion over contract terms, poor workmanship, incomplete job performance, over-charging and in some cases, even home foreclosures.

complaints against home improvement/home repair contractors are among the most common consumer complaints received by BBB.

comparing cost before making a financial commitment toward any home improvement project is very important. In doing so, you should solicit at least two or three bids from prospective contractors based on the same building specifications, materials, labor and time needed to complete the project.

Before digging in your wallet, your BBB offers advice to homeowners in hiring a reputable contractor:

• never let a contractor pressure you into making a quick decision. A reputable professional will recognize that you need time to consider many factors when deciding which contractor to hire.

• check out the contractor with your BBB. make sure they are an established business in their area. Ask for references and check them out. Look into the contractor’s standard of work and his professional affiliations; verify his insurance; and check to see if he needs to be licensed.

• do not permit work to start without a signed written contract that includes all verbal promises that were made by the contractor. Be sure that the written contract includes a start and completion date, a breakdown of the cost and information about the contractor, including license number, street address and phone number.

If you need financing for your project, it may not be wise to agree to financing through your contractor or someone he suggests. carefully read every document before you give your consent. You can usually get a better deal on financing by shopping around on your own and comparing loan terms from several lenders.

If you are asked to pay for the entire job up-front, this should raise a red flag. Arrange for payments to be made as parts of the job are completed. Final payment should not be due until the job is done, and, if applicable, passes inspection by local permitting offices. homeowners should pay by check or credit card, never cash.

For additional information on home improvement tips and advice you can trust, start with bbb.org or call 850.429.0026 or 800.729.9226.

For the record

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unanswered complaintsBased on experience reflected in BBB filesIn each issue of the Lighthouse, your BBB publishes the names of businesses that have been notified of unsatisfactory business performance records since our last posting. While our complaint mediation service is provided, there is no legal requirement for businesses to respond to complaints or advertising challenges that have been filed by or through the BBB. the publication of these names is not intended to imply wrongdoing on the part of any business.

granny’s Attic........................................................................................................crestview

dental consulting & management.......................................................................destin

travelezz……………………………….....................................................................................destin

discover rental purchase...............................................................Fort Walton Beach

g.e. clark repairs...............................................................................Fort Walton Beach

Freeport pet clinic................................................................................................Freeport

electric Beach tanning of gulf Breeze, LLc...........................................gulf Breeze

Scott’s Appliance Service……….....................................................................gulf Breeze

perry d. cain......................................................................................................Lynn haven

Avalon plumbing, Incorporated.............................................................................milton

patriot Waste Service................................................................................................milton

kompu kims computer Service.........................................................................navarre

precision plumbing heating & Air......................................................................navarre

Just right Auto Sales...................................................................................................pace

Jordan concrete…………………........................................................................panama city

mcdonald’s 2319 thomas drive...............................................................panama city

hair port unisex Styling Salon....................................................panama city Beach

Art Shows International II………….....................................................................pensacola

Foster’s Appliance and tv repair................................................................pensacola

gold crown truck Auto Accessories...........................................................pensacola

gotta have It!........................................................................................................pensacola

gulf South Automotive Sales.........................................................................pensacola

m & d Foreign car parts...................................................................................pensacola

northwest Florida marine………….....................................................................pensacola

pensacola christian college............................................................................pensacola

kangaroo express #3887 1134 Jefferson St....................................................Quincy

Shalimar gardens...................................................................................................Shalimar

Be on the look-out Your BBB sent out a news release on magazine scams in the area warning businesses and consumers to be cautious if they were approached by someone wanting to sell them a magazine subscription back in January.

however, not long ago, we received an e-mail from a consumer concerning this issue saying she had been scammed by a individual wanting her to buy a subscription so that this person could earn a scholarship.

this is just a reminder to everyone that these types of scams are still going around and to be cautious of anyone that approaches you concerning this issue. remember to check out the business with us before dealing with the business.

We will continue to send out news releases on scams to help protect our Accredited Businesses as we learn of them, so please check them out. And if you see anything that looks and sounds suspicious, please let us know so we can alert our Accredited Businesses and the public.

For more information on protecting yourself in the marketplace, start with bbb.org. to tell us about a scam you have encountered, contact us at 850.429.0026 or 800.729.9226 or e-mail us at info@nwfl.bbb.org.

“If you are asked to pay for the entire job up-front, this should raise a red flag.”

postmaster Send address changes to:

BBB Foundation of northwest Florida

912 e. gadsden St.pensacola, FL 32501

BBB neWS

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Better Business Bureau® Foundationof northwest Florida, Inc.912 e. gadsden Streetp.o. Box 1511pensacola, FL 32591

nonproFIt orguS poStAge pdpenSAcoLA, FLpermIt no. 681

LIGHTHOUSE

mark Your calendarUPcOMING EvENTS:

APRILApril 49 a.m. - 2 p.m. gulf Breeze Business expo, South Santa rosa recreation center, gulf Breeze

April 811 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.protecting Yourself Against Identity theft presentation, u.S. naval Academy Alumni, pensacola

April 17-1810 a.m. - 5 p.m./9 a.m. - 4 p.m.gulf coast Womans expo, pensacola Junior college, pensacola

April 1810 a.m. - 2 p.m.“Secure Your Id” day, cordova mall (pensacola); panama city mall (panama city)

April 213 p.m. - 7 p.m.Business expo, edgewater Beach resort, panama city Beach

May 6 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.torch Award luncheon, new World Landing, pensacola

May 1211:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.torch Award luncheon, Black Angus restaurant, panama city

May 1411:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.torch Award luncheon, Sundestin, destin

Are you interested in a presentation from bbb? Please contact Karen szulczewski at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or karens@nwfl.bbb.org.

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“Secure Your Id” dayWe are thrilled to report another successful Secure Your Id day event held at university mall in pensacola and at Santa rosa mall in mary esther on Friday, march 27.

1,354 people brought approximately 41,000 pounds of sensitive documents to be responsibly destroyed by Gilmore Services and to receive information about protecting themselves from identity thieves. wEAR-Tv 3, cat country 98.7 FM and Mix 103.1 FM partnered with BBB Foundation for the free shredding event.

“We are pleased to help so many of our local citizens destroy unneeded personal documents,” said Jacob gilmore, vice president of purchasing and Finance at gilmore Services. “today, we shredded over 20 tons of sensitive information that Id thieves can’t use to steal someone’s identity.”

“Identity theft continues to be the most common fraud reported to the Federal trade commission each year,” said norman Wright, president and ceo of your BBB. “We are so thankful that gilmore Services, WeAr-tv 3, cat country and Qantum communications realize the importance of helping consumers in our community protect themselves against identity theft.”

For additional information and advice you can trust on protecting yourself against identity theft, start with bbb.org.

norman Wright, president/ceo of your BBB, working hard unloading vehicles.

karen Szulczewski, Apr, with Aimee Shaffer, Qantum communications public Service director, trying to stay dry.

one of gilmore’s trucks filled to the top with shredded documents.

cat country 98.7, one of the sponsors for the event, was there throughout the day helping us out.