New Work-at-Home Regulations Offer Consumers More Protections - Tucson Citizen

Effective March 1, amendments to the Federal Trade Commission’s Business Opportunity Rule go into effect. The changes implement new disclosures that work-at-home businesses must provide to ensure consumers have the appropriate information they need when considering a work-at-home program.

For decades, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona has heard from consumers scammed out of money by work-at-home programs. Since January, BBB has given out more than 175 business reports to southern Arizona consumers interested in local work-at-home companies. And in the past 36 months, more than 10,000 complaints have been filed with BBB’s nationwide.

To help consumers make informed decisions about work-at-home programs, there are five key items work-at-home businesses must now disclose using the FTC approved disclosure form:

1. Its identifying information (i.e. the name, business address, and telephone number)

2. If earning claims are made, the basis for that claim

3. Whether the company, its affiliates or key personnel have been involved in certain legal actions

4. Whether the company has a cancellation or refund policy

5. A list of people who bought this business opportunity within the previous three years

While these new regulations will help consumers better understand these work-at-home programs, consumers still need to be vigilant and cautious. Here are common red flags to watch for that could indicate a work-at-home scam:

1. Non-compliance with the FTC’s new regulations. If a company is not willing to provide you all the information now required, walk away and report them to your BBB and the Federal Trade Commission.

2. Big bucks for simple tasks. Watch out if they promise to pay you a lot of money for jobs that don’t seem to require much effort or skill.

3. You are asked to invest money up-front. If someone asks you to make an advance payment – especially if it’s a big investment, or you don’t have much information about the deal – this is a red flag. Or, if they expect you to make a major purchase of equipment, software or inventory in order to get started, be careful. Often these are the most persuasive kinds of scams.

4. They ask you to wire money. If you wire a payment to somebody, it’s gone forever. Scam artists often ask you to wire payments because they know you won’t be able to get your money back.

5. High pressure to do it now. Don’t be in a hurry to accept an unsolicited offer of work, or to make a business investment, particularly if the other party is asking you to spend your money on the deal. Take your time.

If you feel you have been a victim of a work-at-home scam, file a complaint with BBB or with the FTC at www.ftc.gov.

To check the reliability of a company, visit www.tucson.org.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 at 2:24 pm and is filed under alert, Life, scam, Tips. Tags for this post: advertisement, BBB, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona, complaints, sales, scam, Tucson, work at home, work from home. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Business, consumers benefit from expo - HometownLife.com

Number 8 on the Maximizing Your Chamber Membership countdown involves participation in the Royal Oak Chamber's first large-scale event of the 2012 Season: the South Oakland Business Expo.

The South Oakland Business Expo, or SOBE as it is typically called, takes place Wednesday, March 7, at Club Venetian Banquet Center in Madison Heights. The event is designed with a dual focus, reflecting the Royal Oak Chamber's commitment to both area businesses and its community while giving members the ability to maximize their membership in two different ways.

By participating in SOBE, Chamber members can activate their membership by meeting and forming relationships with other member businesses. In its trade show environment, SOBE creates a unique opportunity for businesses to meet, network and form relationships. Relationships launched at SOBE can generate partnerships and the potential for business referrals, creating more business. SOBE has a designated networking portion built into the event from 9-11:30 a.m.

“SOBE connects Chamber members and facilitates networking and the building of business relationships,” stated Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shelly Kemp. “In addition, the involvement of the Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Madison Heights/Hazel Park Chambers expands the potential partnerships and opportunities.”

Additionally, SOBE brings customers directly to the member businesses by offering an environment where consumers can “shop local.” Instead of relying on Internet or phone to connect them with a business or service, consumers come to SOBE and meet face to face with companies and potential providers. From 12-4 p.m., SOBE provides a business melting pot for potential customers to browse. So, when Chamber members participate this event, they can find new business opportunities.

“Consumers like to work with businesses that are committed to their community,” explained Kemp. “SOBE gives them a chance to meet and talk one-on-one with a variety of small businesses, empowering them to find the local resource that best fits their needs. By participating in SOBE, our members can increase their exposure and obtain additional business contacts.” Consumers like SOBE, because it gives them a more personalized opportunity to find a business or supplier. They can ask questions and develop rapport face-to-face. As a result of the two-fold aspect of the event, SOBE goes beyond business-to-business networking to shine a spotlight on key businesses in our community that are invested and interested in what goes on in South Oakland County. And, it attracts area residents and offers these consumers the chance to “browse” a variety of local businesses under one roof.

Accountant Beth Schensky of EA Schensky & Associates Inc. has participated and sponsored SOBE for several years. “SOBE has proved to be a great place to connect with fellow business owners from this area and meet and greet your potential clients visiting the show,” she said.

Events such as SOBE give area consumers a chance to comparison shop and see what's new in the marketplace of their own backyard. Added Kemp, “The Chambers are not just about businesses … we work to strengthen the link between local business and our community.”

The South Oakland Business Expo integrates networking and face-to-face consumer marketing. By participating in this event, Chamber members can yet again maximize their Chamber membership, developing business to business relationships and meeting new customers.

Jennifer Clark writes a monthly column for the South Oakland Eccentric.

Note: The South Oakland Eccentric will be among the businesses participating in the South Oakland Business Expo.

View the original article here

BBB Warns Consumers About Pay-To-Play Games From Opportunities Unlimited - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (blog)

View the original article here