If joining a gym is on your list of resolutions for the new year, you are not alone. January sees a huge surge in gym activity (up 50% from December). Before you sign on the dotted line, do your research! To get the most from your gym membership, consider these tips from BBB:...

Gift cards can be a convenient gift-giving solution when it gets down to the wire or if the recipient lives far away. Before you buy, Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to check the fine print and fees on gift cards and make sure security seals are intact...

With winter on the way, the last thing anyone wants is for the furnace to stop working. But when it does, you need a reliable contractor – and fast...

With leagues of shoppers on the horizon, retailers and shippers are planning to hire more than seasonal employees this holiday season to accommodate service demands. The National Retail Federation expects retailers could add as many as 550,000 seasonal positions this year. Better Business Bureau advises job seekers to polish up their resumes, research potential employers and apply right away...

The National Retail Federation estimates that 179 million Americans plan to take part in this year’s Halloween festivities. With spending expected to reach $9.1 billion, stores and websites offering Halloween costumes and decorations may seem to pop up overnight as the holiday approaches. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises shoppers to check unfamiliar stores or websites out with BBB before buying...

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Cape Girardeau will present TORCH Awards to 2 businesses and 1 nonprofit and a Student of Ethics award to one student during a reception at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Drury Plaza Hotel Conference Center in Cape Girardeau...

Recent flooding in the Texas and the Florida regions has damaged as many as 500,00 automobiles. If you are in the market for a used car, Better Business Bureau (BBB) cautions you to watch for flood-damaged vehicles that could begin to pop up in our area...

Hurricane Harvey has caused devastation in parts of Texas, and Hurricane Irma is closing in on the Florida. In the wake of the severe damage done to vehicles, homes and other property, Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers to be on the lookout for fraudulent charities and crowdfunding campaigns...

While it has never been easier to shop online, the Consumer Fraud Task Force is advising consumers to take precautions against becoming victims of fraud or poor business practices...

If you have a college student packing to live on or near campus this fall, now's a good time to talk about preventing fraud while they're away from home. Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves from identity theft and other fraud on campus...

With the heat index reaching the 100s, the last thing anyone wants is for the air conditioning to fail. But when it does, you need a reliable contractor – and fast...

Online crowdfunding platforms have made donating to good causes more popular, easy, and efficient than ever before. At the click of a button, you can fund charitable projects and events, or give aid to those in need of emergency financial assistance. Unfortunately, scammers are not above using crowdfunding platforms to spread lies and trick well-meaning donors into giving money based on false pretenses...

Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help consumers reduce hassles from one of the most stressful events of life – moving - by helping them find trusted movers and by providing tips to reduce the chance of errors or foreseeable problems...

For many consumers, buying a car is second only to buying a home when it comes to big-ticket purchases, and the process can be just as daunting. Choosing a used car is a great investment that allows consumers to purchase a reliable vehicle that fits their needs while still saving money, but the potential risks involved make it all the more important to do your homework first...

Better Business Bureau is warning consumers across the St. Louis region to be on guard against a new wave of fraudulent emails falsely claiming to be from Netflix. The emails have no connection to the video rental company and are designed to steal financial and other confidential information from the company’s customers...

Flash-flooding means that area residents might need the services of a waterproofing company to help them with water-logged basements. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to check contractors out before signing a contract or paying any money...

Starting this month, the Internal Revenue Service will begin sending letters to a relatively small group of taxpayers whose overdue federal tax accounts are being assigned to one of four private-sector collection agencies...

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Cape Girardeau is now accepting applicants for this year’s “Student of Ethics Award.” The SOE award is a $2,500 college or trade school scholarship that recognizes high school students who demonstrate high ethics through leadership, community service, personal integrity and academic achievement...

According to the American Camp Association (ACA), more than 12,000 camps in the U.S. serve over 6 million children every summer. Those numbers add up to big decisions for parents and caretakers across the country...

With spring break on the way, students of all ages will soon be on the move. While many parents and grandparents worry about children who are traveling far and wide, scammers may use this time as an opportunity to pull the so-called “grandparent scam.”...