better business bureau

6 Signs Your Tax Preparer Is Incompetent

If you plan to hire a tax preparer to fill out your return this year, be careful. There are far too many self-proclaimed "tax professionals" whom you shouldn't let anywhere near your 1040 Form. Here's how to tell you've picked the wrong person to do your taxes.

The Customer Isn't Always Right, Especially When He's Complaining

When it comes to customer service disputes, there's an old adage in the retail industry: The customer is always right. Of course, the customer is very frequently in the wrong, and unfortunately for put-upon customer service reps, new research suggests that consumers complain the most when they know they're wrong.

How to Avoid Home Repair Rip-Offs After Frankenstorm Passes

Experts predict the tab for Hurricane Sandy -- aka Frankenstorm -- will be in the billions of dollars. If your property gets damaged, proceed with caution: You don't want to get hit again, this time by home repair companies that jack up their prices, do a poor job, or walk away before the work is finished.

How More Women Can Become Philanthropists

This author believes that more women need to think of themselves as philanthropists and get more strategic in their giving, so that their donations will have the maximum impact. Here's how.

Thousands Fall Victim to Utility Payment Scam

As much as President Barack Obama wants your vote, he won't pay your electric bill. But thousands of Americans have been persuaded otherwise, falling victim to a scam that claims to be part of an federal program to help pay utility bills in the midst of this scorching summer.

BBB Reveals America's Most Griped-About Businesses

American consumers are getting savvier, and happier. We consulted the BBB far more often in 2011 than we did the year before, and lodged fewer complaints. But there were still plenty of gripes, and the worst offenders may not surprise you.

Tax Prep Nightmare: Don't Get Conned by Your Tax Pro

A series of major problems and the whiff of potential fraud at a tax-prep company called "Mo Money Taxes" are a scary reminder: Be smart about selecting the professional who helps with your tax return. Here are some tips to help you avoid the shady characters.

Tax Season Scams: How to Avoid the Fake Refund Cons

Uncle Sam isn't the only one looking to collect from taxpayers this year: A rapidly growing number of Internet scammers are also using the guise of the IRS to siphon money out of consumers' pockets, security experts say.

5 Scams You Shouldn't Fall For This Holiday Season

Despite a rough economy, Americans expect to spend 17% more than last year on holiday gifts. But with money tight for so many, it's more important than ever to be wary of scammers. Here are some of the most common scams you might encounter:

Protect Yourself from Halloween's Scary Scammers

Still scrambling to find a Halloween costume? Beware of ghoulish fraudsters looking to profit from your mad dash. Because Halloween stores are only open for a month or so, unscrupulous operators can take advantage of customers and then just disappear into the night.

Latest Mortage Mod Scam Is an Audit to Nowhere

A raft of con artists have cropped up over the last two years offering "forensic loan audits." They promise to review your mortgage documents, looking for errors and legal flaws that they say they'll use to expedite a loan modification deal. All they usually end up doing is taking more money from already stressed homeowners.

Get Cash for Your Gold Without Being Cheated

Gold prices are up again, and floating near an all-time high: That means bad news for the overall economy, but good news if you have unwanted jewelry and want to cash in. But be careful: It's also a good time to get cheated. DailyFinance explains how to get the best price for your gold.

Don't Get Ripped Off on Post-Irene Home Repairs

The estimated tab for Hurricane Irene's fury is already in the billions of dollars. If you're among those who have property damage, proceed with caution -- you don't want to get hit again, this time by home repair companies that jack up their prices, do a poor job, or walk away before the work is finished.

Businesses That We Complain About the Most

Poor customer service is one of the primary reasons people tend to shun certain companies and even whole industries. 24/7 Wall St. identified the U.S. industries with the most complaints, as well as the troubles people have with them. If customer service is important to success, those we identified could be in trouble.

Has the BBB Been Selling 'A' Ratings?

The Better Business Bureau's slogan is "Start with Trust" -- but not so fast. It seems the BBB has inherent conflicts of interest, and questions have been raised about what it takes to "earn" an A from the BBB. Can companies pay for good ratings -- or worse yet, do they have to?

BBB Admits Mistakes On Pay-For-Ratings Issue

The Better Business Bureau's slogan is "Start with Trust" -- but not so fast. It seems the go-to source for consumers looking for unbiased reviews has some inherent conflicts of interest: It has been taking money to give businesses higher ratings.

How to Tell When the Moving Man Is Really a Con Man

You may like the idea of a new house, but the process of moving is rarely fun for anyone. Still, an estimated 37 million Americans move each year, and a third will do so between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But moving can be more than a logistical hassle: It you're not careful, you could get bamboozled in a big way.