Many people use both credit and debit cards interchangeably out of habit. The main difference between a debit and a credit card purchase is that a debit card creates a DIRECT link to your bank account and money can be taken out quickly. Generally, a debit card is fine for most things, but the following 4 purchases should be made with a credit card whenever possible:

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Your BBB is offering FREE shredding and recycling at the annual 2011 Spring Shred Day this month. From 9am – 1pm, BBB will be at the following locations collecting up to 5 boxes of paper documents, compact disks, floppy disks and old cell phones for shredding and recycling.

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Today, the last of several changes to the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule go into effect. These regulations will protect consumers from for-profit companies that sell debt relief services over the phone. Whether the company calls you, or you respond to advertising from a for-profit credit counseling, debt settlement or debt negotiation service, the company CANNOT collect an advance fee for their service until:

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Today, the last of several changes to the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule go into effect. These regulations will protect consumers from for-profit companies that sell debt relief services over the phone. Whether the company calls you, or you respond to advertising from a for-profit credit counseling, debt settlement or debt negotiation service, the company CANNOT collect an advance fee for their service until:

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Today, the last of several changes to the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule go into effect. These regulations will protect consumers from for-profit companies that sell debt relief services over the phone. Whether the company calls you, or you respond to advertising from a for-profit credit counseling, debt settlement or debt negotiation service, the company CANNOT collect an advance fee for their service until:

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Shred Day is coming up THIS Saturday for San Antonio and Austin business owners and consumers. While BBB will gladly accept your old documents and records, we do want to make sure you're not discarding things you should be keeping. That's why we have the following records retention schedule for you to use as a guide BEFORE packing those boxes and bags into your car:

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Identity theft continues to be a concern for consumers and businesses. That’s why BBB is offering you FREE shredding and recycling at the annual 2010 Fall Shred Day next month, as part of National Protect Your Identity Week (October 17-23, 2010).

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With today's announcement from Blockbuster that it has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, many consumers may wonder what this specifically means to them as a customer. The answer in this case is, not a whole lot. According to Blockbuster, their online and retail stores will remain open while the company attempts to restructure and reorganize to help alleviate the debt it has accumulated.

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With today's announcement from Blockbuster that it has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, many consumers may wonder what this specifically means to them as a customer. The answer in this case is, not a whole lot. According to Blockbuster, their online and retail stores will remain open while the company attempts to restructure and reorganize to help alleviate the debt it has accumulated.

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We normally think of phishing attempts as those that come through your email or from malicious websites, but they can also come from phone solicitations as well. Case in point, today we received an alert that several consumers have received automated phone calls telling them their credit or debit cards have been locked or temporarily suspended. Conveniently enough, the message also invites them to enter information over the phone to solve the problem. BBB warns this not to be done.

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We normally think of phishing attempts as those that come through your email or from malicious websites, but they can also come from phone solicitations as well. Case in point, today we received an alert that several consumers have received automated phone calls telling them their credit or debit cards have been locked or temporarily suspended. Conveniently enough, the message also invites them to enter information over the phone to solve the problem. BBB warns this not to be done.

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Recently several local consumers have notified BBB about phone calls from individuals pretending to be debt collectors and threatening them with legal action or arrest. The consumers are told they must pay a supposed outstanding debt over the phone immediately. In some cases, the callers have social security numbers, bank information and the consumer’s address. BBB wants you to know what to do if a stranger calls claiming you owe them money.

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Recently we have sent a press release and appeared on local television stations to talk about scams that commonly target senior citizens. Just to show you the length scammers will go to, we received the following email last week from a concerned consumer whose neighbors were the target of a scam...

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The summer season continues to heat up and consumers are calling BBB concerned about free offers appearing in their mail and e-mail inboxes. The catch…they must attend a timeshare presentation. BBB reminds you to carefully read through these offers to avoid making a costly mistake.

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BBB has received over 10 inquiries in the past week from consumers in the Corpus Christi area regarding timeshare opportunity meetings that seem to come with strings attached. Consumers called regarding flyers in their mailboxes promising free trips to Las Vegas or cheap round-trip airfare to those who came to a meeting at local hotels or restaurants.

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The summer season has officially arrived and that means vacations are right around the corner. With credit cards replacing traveler’s checks in popularity while away from home, it’s important to make sure your personal information stays safe. According to a 2009 Javelin Strategy and Research study, 43% of all fraud cases were due to lost or stolen checkbooks, debit cards and credit cards. BBB advises consumers on the go to keep these tips in mind…

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Most consumers and business owners receive unsolicted offers via e-mail, phone or mail. However, faxes can be used to push questionable offers as well, and we came across such an example today. The fax offered businesses a credit card or line of credit loan for what seemed like little work on the part of the business.

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Most consumers and business owners receive unsolicted offers via e-mail, phone or mail. However, faxes can be used to push questionable offers as well, and we came across such an example today. The fax offered businesses a credit card or line of credit loan for what seemed like little work on the part of the business.

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BBB has received calls about a text message that consumers are receiving on their cell phones. The text message is claiming that they are having account issues with either a credit union in Corpus Christi or their Chase Bank credit card. The text message gives the email address “checkingissues@ccspcu.com” and the number 877-720-9395 as contact information.

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BBB has received calls about a text message that consumers are receiving on their cell phones. The text message is claiming that they are having account issues with either a credit union in Corpus Christi or their Chase Bank credit card. The text message gives the email address “checkingissues@ccspcu.com” and the number 877-720-9395 as contact information.

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