Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland's Market Monitor Newsletter for April 2014. Articles include: Introducing BBB FLASH Webinars, BBBASAP: Real-Time Leads from Motivated Customers, Don't Get Turned Off By Tech Scams (Article about Netflix, Verizon, Microsoft Scams), On Our Radar (About Mobile Billboard and Car Wrap Scams), "Largest Ever" Phone Fraud Scam Targeting Taxpayers, Two Businesses Lose Accreditation (Expert Insurance Restoration, Lakewood Upholstery), and We Welcome Two New Directors to Our Board, Robert B. Schwartz of R.B. Schwarz, Inc, and Ronald Rafal of Stellar Benefits Group, LLC.

1. MarketMonitor
the
®
News for Better Business Bureau Accredited Businesses
301,765
2,008
1,884,172
335,788
80
Your BBB Accreditation now offers you and your employees another way to grow.
Tune in to the new BBB FLASH Webinars – on-point, fast-paced online presentations
on topics that matter and that take your busy schedule into consideration.
These free 25-30 minute webinars get straight to the point, cover the important
details, and allow for a quick Q & A period. Topics will range from Customer
Service to Information Technology and everything in between.
It all starts on April 30th with “The 5 Ways to Delight your Customers” and
continues with a 3-part Labor Law Series, “Three Strikes and You’re Out:
Fielding your Dream Team,” including: “The Keys to Legal and Effective
Interviewing,” “When Good Employees Turn Bad – Termination Tips,” and “The
Pros and Cons of Social Media.” Watch your e-mail for details!
Grab your computer and let your BBB help you advance your business while you
enjoy your morning coffee. Just register and log on. Webinars will be recorded
and archived along with downloadable materials for your continued use.
Are you interested in presenting a BBB Flash Webinar? Contact Brigid at 216-
623-8964 x206 or brigid@cleveland.bbb.org.
BBB Serving Greater Cleveland April 2014
INSIDE: Don’t Get Turned Off By Tech Scams
On Our Radar “Largest Ever” Phone Fraud
Businesses Lose Accreditation New Directors◊
◊
◊
Introducing BBB FLASH Webinars
BBBASAP: Real-Time Leads from
Motivated Customers
BBB’s cutting edge lead generation program for
BBB Accredited Businesses is ready for spring!
The rebranded BBBASAP (formerly ABConnect) uses a geolocating
application that puts you in contact with local customers in just seconds.
By identifying the consumer’s location and needs, this program brings
customers directly to you through the app -- right to your smart phone.
BBBASAP now offers a simpler registration process using your BBB Business ID to autofill
important information. The new BBBASAP smartphone app is even easier to use and allows
you to see where the consumer is located. You can register three smartphones, and it’s easy
to manage the requests.
Consumers also benefit from the upgrades. They can see all businesses that respond to a
request – which means you have an opportunity to make an impression on the consumer even if
you are not the first to respond. Consumers can also link to your BBB Business Review.
BBBASAP is not only used for the “quick fix” categories such as plumbers and tree trimmers, but
also for less immediate categories to satisfy today’s desire for instant gratification. If you provide
a service that is not on the BBBASAP list, let us know and we’ll add it.
Free leads from customers who are ready to buy -- it’s a “no-brainer.” Take advantage of this free
program by visiting BBBASAP.com and registering today. For more information on BBBASAP or
other member benefit programs, contact Brigid at 216-623-8964 x206 or brigid@cleveland.
bbb.org.
Service to the
Community
Greater Cleveland BBB
Activity Report From
January - March 2014
Reports issued on
companies/charities..................
Customer complaints filed..............
Online Accredited Business Directory
listings viewed.........................
www.cleveland.bbb.org visits.......
Advertising review cases initiated.........
The Short List
The Consumer Sentinel Network
(CSN) is a compilation of consumer
complaints received by the Federal
Trade Commission, Attorneys
General, BBB and other agencies.
The following is from the CSN
2013 report:
Number of complaints
received by CSN: 2 Million
Number of fraud complaints
filed by Ohioans: 50,765
Average Loss of Fraud
Victims: $2253
Most likely form of
fraudulent contact:
Telephone (40%)
Age group most
victimized by fraud:
50-59
Age Group Most
Victimized by ID theft:
20-29
Number of ID theft
complaints filed by
Ohioans: 7,502
National ranking of
Cleveland in total fraud
complaints filed: 43rd
National ranking of
Cleveland in total ID theft
complaints filed: 67th

2. Follow Us On:
and Tire Centers
Vodafone
11:45
Monday
Clock
Stock
Weather
Music
Camera
Phone
E-Mail
Adress
Safari
Calendar
iTunes
iBooks
News
pm
Mark Your Calendar
What : BBB Shredding Event
When: June 14th
10:00am-2:00pm
Where: RadAir Complete Car Care
27051 Detroit Rd, Westlake
6221 SOM Center Rd, Solon
April 2014
Three recent scams that capitalize on well known brands can allow scammers to gain access
to your computer under the guise of offering tech support.
Netflix Scam - Be wary when logging into Netflix since a highly dangerous phishing scam has
been circulating. Initial reports indicated the scam first circulated through e-mails or pop-up
windows. You are led to log-in to a dummy Netflix page and then redirected to a site that reads
“Important Notice: We have detected unusual activity on this account. To Protect (sic) your
account from unauthorized use, we have temporarily suspended this username.” The site goes on
to provide an error code and tech support number to call.
The number isn’t actually Netflix’s true tech support number (their number is actually 1-800-
585-7265 and can be verified on Netflix.com). When you call, you are asked
to download software which allows the phony Netflix tech support to access
your computer and all of the documents contained within including passwords,
private banking information, and more. The scammer will also ask for payment
by credit card for the “repairs”.
Microsoft Scam - A caller claims your computer is sending error messages that
indicate the computer has a dangerous virus. You are asked to go to a directory on your computer
and view an activity log. The caller will falsely claim the log shows the presence of a virus and offer
to fix it for you for a fee. As in the Netflix scam, the “tech” asks you to download software which
allows the scammer to access the content of your computer.
Verizon Scam - You receive a recorded message from Verizon Wireless “Technical Support” that
claims you are eligible to receive a voucher for your account. You need to visit a website to claim
it. The web address given contains “Verizon” and the value of the voucher. One recent version of
the scam used “verizon54.com,” but watch for variations.
The website uses Verizon Wireless colors, graphics and navigation. It prompts
you to “Verify My Account” by entering your cellphone number, Verizon ID and
password and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Enter your info,
and you won’t receive a voucher. You will, however, open yourself up to the risk
of identity theft.
BBB advises:
• Microsoft will never call you to alert you to viruses on your computer.
• Never allow a stranger to have access to your computer.
• Always keep your computer’s antivirus software up to date.
• Scammers frequently use familiar brands (Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon, Google,
etc) in e-mails and calls to gain your trust.
• Do not rely on links provided in e-mails, pop-ups, or social media postings to
log onto websites. Enter the URL manually.
On Our Radar - Car Wrap Advertising Scams
In recent weeks, BBB has received calls from consumers who are
being solicited to make extra money by turning their vehicles into
mobile billboards.
Internet ads or unsolicited e-mails claim to represent popular energy
drink companies such as Rockstar, Powerade and Monster Energy. The scammers
typically offer to pay you $300 - $600 per week if you agree to have your vehicle
wrapped with a vinyl advertisement for the beverage. They pay you with a check
for much more than your weekly pay. Consumers report receiving checks in
amounts varying from $1,890 - $2,850. You are instructed to deposit the check,
withdraw your weekly pay, and wire the balance to the graphic artist who will
create the vinyl car wrap.
Scammers take advantage of our misconception that a check is real if the bank
makes the funds available to you for withdrawal. In reality, it takes only a few days
for your bank to make the money available to you, but it can take weeks for your
bank to determine that a check is a fake. Make no mistake - the checks from the car
wrap scammers are counterfeit and you will have to repay the bank for any funds you
withdraw.
Don’t Get Turned Off By Tech Support Scams
Pre-Employment
Background Reports -
Instant online criminal
checks for under $10
each. Other reports also
discounted. Monthly
fee waived (save
$120 a year!), $100
enrollment fee waived.
Call IntelliCorp at
(800) 539-3717.
Document Shredding
- 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.
Phone Service - Easton
Telecom - Rates ranging
from 2.5¢ - 3.5¢/minute
for long distance calls, toll-
free lines as low as 1.79¢/
minute. 5% discount off most
retail services. Contact Jim
Butler at (800) 222-8122.
Payroll Service - Heartland
Payroll Co. - Savings of as much
as 50% on payroll fees. Call Brian
Nelson at (440) 371-5245.
Some member discount programs
generate revenue which BBB reinvests
into the organization’s operations.
B2B Discounts for
BBB Accredited
Businesses

3. “Largest Ever” Phone Fraud Scam Targeting Taxpayers
Two Local Businesses Lose Accreditation
At its February 14th meeting, the Accreditation Committee of the BBB Board of
Directors voted to revoke the BBB accreditation of the following businesses:
Expert Insurance Restoration Inc. of North Ridgeville (formerly of North
Ridgeville - current location unknown) failed to respond to five consumer
complaints. Three complainants indicated homeowners had given the business
insurance checks for storm damage repairs that ranged from $3,000 - $7,000. According to
the homeowners, the business never returned to begin repairs. The two other complaints
concerned a failure to provide a promised refund and accepting downpayment for gutter and
downspout work that was not done.
Lakewood Upholstery did not maintain required licensing from the Ohio Department of
Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance Bedding. The license expired on August 31,
2013.
BBB Welcomes
New Directors!
Robert B. Schwarz
is President of R. B.
Schwarz, Inc., a
residential remodeling
contracting company
in business over
25 years. Has has
won several PRO
Remodeler of the
Year awards and is a
NARI Board Member.
Robert enjoys
community outreach projects, camping,
and hiking.
Ronald Rafal is
a parter at the
Stellar Benefits
Group, LLC.
Stellar Benefits
manages
employer
group benefits
for insurance.
Ron has
served on
the Boards of Medical Mutual
of Ohio and the former
Meridian Hospital. He is a
past chairman of Junior
Achievement of Greater
Cleveland and enjoys
golfing.
The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA), J. Russell
George, issued a warning in March to taxpayers to beware of phone calls from
individuals claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in an effort
to defraud them. George called this the “...largest scam of its kind that we
have ever seen.”
Thousands of victims have collectively paid over $1 million as a result of the
scam, in which individuals make unsolicited calls to taxpayers fraudulently
claiming to be IRS officials.
Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and
must pay using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten
those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation, or loss of a business or
driver’s license.
The truth is the IRS usually first contacts people by mail – not by phone –
about unpaid taxes. And the IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit
card or wire transfer. The IRS also won’t ask for a credit card number over the
phone. The callers who commit this fraud often:
• Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers.
• Know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number.
• Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling.
• Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam.
• Call a second time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and
the caller ID again supports their claim.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s
what to do:
• If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at
800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to TIGTA at 800-366-4484 or FTC at
FTC.gov.
• Also be alert for phone and e-mail scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never
request personal or financial information by e-mail, texting or any social media. You should
forward scam e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. Don’t open any attachments or click on any
links in those e-mails.
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4. The Market Monitor
Better Business Bureau
2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl.
Cleveland, OH 44115-2408
The Market Monitor (ISSN 1085-5122). April 2014. Volume 9 No. 2. Published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Better Business Bureau, Inc. 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH
44115-2408, Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Market Monitor, 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl, Cleveland, OH 44115-2408.
Periodicals Postage Paid
April 2014
BBB Thanks Booth Sponsors!
“Thank you” to the
following sponsors
of our booth at
the recent Home
+ Remodeling
Expo, March 14 -
16th at Cleveland
Convention Center!