Chicago, IL – February 16, 2012 – Consumer
protection information and brochures will be among the free items available
from the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) from
8:30AM to 3:00PM on March 8, 2012, in the lobby of the James R. Thompson
Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago, as the BBB joins federal, state, and
local government agencies and national consumer advocacy organizations in the 14th
annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4-10, 2012.
National Consumer Protection Week focuses on giving
consumers the tools they need to make smart financial decisions in today’s
marketplace. This information can help people get the most for their
money, whether they are trying to stretch their paychecks, find a quick fix for
a spotty credit history, or distinguish the difference between a real deal and
a potentially fraudulent product or service.
"The Better Business Bureau is proud to be
part of this year’s National Consumer Protection Week campaign,” said Steve J.
Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
“In times like these, information is one commodity that retains its
value. We invite everyone to visit www.bbb.org for tools they can use to make
smart choices in the marketplace.”
The BBB offers the following tips on making smart
financial decisions:
- Check Them Out.
Check out a business before you spend money on any product or service.
Visit www.bbb.org to view the BBB’s free
Business Review on the company
- Three Bid Rule.
Obtain bids from three companies and carefully compare before you begin
construction or any other type of work on your home or business.
- Signing Contracts. Never
sign any contract that has blank spots or contains incomplete information
about the work to be accomplished.
- Don’t Pay to Work. Jobs
that require you to make some type of payment upfront before work begins
are typically scams.
- Shred It. Protect
yourself against identity theft.
Shred all documents that contain any financial information. Including
offers for new credit cards and loans.
The “For Consumers” section of the BBB Web site (www.bbb.org)
provides consumers hundreds of specific, easy-to-understand tips including: how
to get a free credit report, how to spot a telemarketing scam, dealing with
debt, deterring and detecting identity theft, avoiding auto repair scams, and
how to file a consumer complaint with the appropriate authorities.
For more information on consumer safe shopping or
National Consumer Protection Week, visit www.bbb.org
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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose
of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help
resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and
arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and
charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and
nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity
before making a purchase or donation.
