A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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1. Protect your computer and smart device. Install a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Check for and install the latest updates for your smart phone and tablets and run virus scans regularly. 2. Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots: Limit the type of business you conduct and adjust the security settings on your device to limit who can access your phone. When shopping or banking, check to be sure the site is security enabled. Look for web addresses with “https://” or “shttp://,” which means the site takes extra measures to help secure...
In our society, our entire being is centered on being grateful and thankful for all we have. To start, we have the Thanksgiving Address; the Ohenton Kariwahtekwen, which is said when we gather and for many, they start their day with this. So in a world of consumerism, of which I admit I am caught in its web also, but I will not take part in certain things and this year, you may not either… This year, many large retailers are opting out of the big sale day to give their employers a chance to spend time with their families and friends and to a...
Looking for a good deal on school clothes? There is always the Big Box Stores; Wal-Mart, Target, JCP, Sears and more. Then there are the “it” stores; J Crew, Aeropostale, Abercrombie and Fitch. Or GAP, who only recently started scheduling their employees instead of being “On Call’. Why would you need to be “On Call” while working at GAP, or AE or Areopostale? Emergency “jean crisis”? The only people needing to be on call is your doctor. All buy their clothes from a foreign country in a third world market for a fraction of the price and then...
Buffalo, NY (August 31, 2015) – The financial decisions college students make now can affect their credit for years to come. Their age and life stage make them susceptible to identity theft and other financial ploys. However, knowing how to fight fraud on campus may not be at the top of their priority list. Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York urges parents to help their children take simple steps toward protecting themselves on campus. “Young people are tech savvy, but may not know how technology lends itself to fraud,” said Warre...
Tech Neck is taking a toll on child posture and the question is: is too much technology taking your body back to the Stone Age? Experts claim "tech neck" is destroying a child's posture at a time when their bodies are still developing and claim their spines are changing for the worse. They warn that if something isn't done, it could have long-term effects on a child's health. According to Cardinus Risk Management, our bodies, mostly young children, are slipping back into the stone age. For a...
It seems back to school season is starting earlier this year. Retailers in Upstate New York are already displaying pens, pencils, electronics and backpacks! Better Business Bureau serving Upstate New York wants to remind those shopping for back to school to be savvy during this, the second busiest shopping time of year. Parents are already getting their back to school lists from teachers and heading out to the stores or going online to shop for the best deals. According to the National Retail Fe...
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo warned New Yorkers of scams surrounding Pope Francis’ scheduled September visit, urging those interested to only get tickets from verified sources. The Archdiocese of New York has confirmed that tickets will not be sold for any of the Pope’s planned events and will only be made available through Catholic parishes. Additionally, other dioceses in New York State (Brooklyn, Rockville Centre, Albany, Syracuse, Ogdensburg, Rochester and Buffalo) will receive tickets to distribute to their members. “We are proud to welco...
Coconut oil has been around for centuries and it has long been used as a homeopathic remedy to treat a number of aliments. However, modern medicine is just now beginning to understand and fully realize the benefits of this amazing oil, and many are now saying it may be one of the healthiest and most versatile natural oil on the market. Cultures that live in areas where coconut oil is a common part of their diet, people seem to be healthier, have better-looking skin, hair, and nails, and feel more energetic. Pure coconut oil is a wonderful natur...
Chances are you’ve already heard about the benefits of including organic foods in your diet. However, you may have also heard that such choices are typically higher in cost. The United States and Canada both have food that are certified; USDA Certified Organic and Canadian Organic Standards (Canada Organic). “Eating right is in easier reach of Americans than ever before,” says Kate Geagan, America`s Green Nutritionist and expert consultant for Earth’s Best, the first organic baby food brand, in business for nearly 30 years. “Organic options a...
These days, there’s no reason why you can’t be both tech-savvy and an environmentalist. More gadgets and technical appliances are trending green and this Earth Day is the perfect time to learn how you can adopt some of these innovations into your life. To reduce your family’s overall impact on the environment, consider this line up of eco-friendly technologies. There are hundreds of apps designed to help you make earth-friendly lifestyle changes. Here are just a few. GreenPower Battery Saver (Apple) - With 5 million users worldwide, GreenPower...
Scammers are impersonating tax authorities and threatening consumers over bogus debts, here is information you need to avoid these scams and report them. With this year’s tax deadline looming and April marking Financial Literacy Month, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today offered New Yorkers tips to avoid falling victim to reported tax prep scams. The Attorney General also asked taxpayers to notify his office of any suspected fraudulent schemes designed to steal personal and financial information from consumers. Each year, the New Y...
Buffalo, NY - The numbers don’t lie – Upstate New York went through the coldest and one of the snowiest winters in memory. Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York is taking calls and web inquiries from all over Upstate New York about contractors, roof repairs, plumbing, specialty services and general home improvement needs. In the past few weeks, over 21,000 inquiries were made for these industries online at bbb.org, up from 13,015 for the same time frame in 2014. “This could become one our busiest home improvement seasons and the last...
College acceptance letters are arriving to excited college-bound students almost daily and financial aid award letters follow right behind. The award letter contains important information about the financial aid package being offered by the college. Some colleges include a College Shopping Sheet to outline the award; if the student applied to multiple colleges, there may not be a standard award letter, making it difficult to compare and get to the bottom line cost for each college. The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)...
Thinking of donating to crowdfunding website? We have learned from Akwesasne’s recent tragedy how crowdfunding websites can make a difference, in a very good way. When tragedy struck and equipment was needed, a friend stepped up and opened a crowdfunding site and raised the money needed to buy a high tech camera in which the entire community benefits. Crowdfunding has three components; the project initiator who proposes the idea or project, the individual or group who supports it and the platform that brings all parties together. It is the prac...
Buffalo, NY (March 4, 2015) – If you have a phone, then you most likely have been the target of or possibly the victim of scam or fraud. It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York is reminding everyone to be on alert for common phone scams. “The phone is still a scammer’s number one contact method,” said Warren Clark, president of BBB of Upstate New York. “While many crooks have started targeting consumers via email and text messages, the telephone, which is easy and cost-effective, is still their wea...
(February 5, 2015) – Tens of millions of Americans could be victims of the latest corporate data breach at Anthem Insurance. Unknown hackers apparently stole personal identifying information (PII) from current and former Anthem customers, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and other information that can be used for identity theft. Anthem has set up a separate website with information on the breach, but Better Business Bureau recommends that consumers always go to a company’s main website first and follow lin...
With the recent release of a study conducted on herbal supplements that was commissioned by NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, buyers of herbal supplements should be aware and wary of what they are purchasing. The study found major manufacturers of store brand herbal supplements such as Echinacea, St. John’s wort, garlic, gingko biloba, and saw palmetto were found to have not to have a trace of the herb. In fact DNA testing found they were packed with cheap fillers such as wheat, rice, beans, pine, citrus, asparagus, primrose, wheat, h...
The focus on Valentine’s Day should be how to make a relationship last, not what one splurges on Valentine’s Day. As florists, jewelry stores, candies and chocolate manufacturers gear up for the big V Day, some say that love can never be sufficiently expressed by gifts and fancy dinners, and that receiving a heartfelt expression of love from one’s significant other is still the most memorable experience. Yet Valentine’s Day could very well be one of the most stressful days of the year for men and women. One is trying to pick out the perfect...
This year, follow BBB’s five resolutions and stay scam free in 2015. Keep your computer programs and passwords up-to-date. Those reminders to update your Internet browser, operating system and other software are annoying, but don’t ignore them. Keeping your programs current is a great defense against malware. Software manufactures continually update programs to protect against the latest viruses. To create strong passwords, combine lowercase and capital letters with a mix of numbers and symbols. Go ahead and write your passwords down, but don...
Be aware. Part of being financially sound is being vigilant against scams and thieves. You protect your children, your spouse and your home. You need to protect your money as well. In 2014, there were many scams, some public and many more private taking places and most right in your home. According to the Better Business Bureau, here are 10 of the biggest scams in 2014. 1. Microsoft/Computer Scams. A caller claims to be from Microsoft or a representative from another computer software company. The caller offers to solve a computer problem or...
For many people in Akwesasne, Christmas is the best time of the year. Yes, just like the song. But for others, it becomes an overrated, overpriced, way overstressed time of year where all finances are thrown out the window and you’re bogged down in debt in January. Why? Why put yourself through it? There are many places where you can find ideas to make your Christmas and your life simpler at this time of year and actually enjoy yourself. Check online, magazines; ask your friends and family how they make the holiday easier and more enjoyable. F...
In preparation for the “spooktacular” holiday of Halloween, Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging consumers to exercise caution when shopping for holiday deals including those at pop-up retail stores and online sites. Every year, BBB receives complaints from shoppers who allege late or non-existent costume deliveries, faulty or poor quality products and difficulties obtaining refunds and returning items. “Exorcize” the threat of being haunted by your Halloween purchases this season by following BBB’s helpful shopping tips: --Researc...
By Carson Rolleri, a BBB blog Owning a home can be expensive, especially when it seems that everything is made to break or is in need of repairs after a couple of months. However, thanks to Wisebread, we’ve compiled a list of some smart ways to make six of those appliances and potential large cost repairs last longer – saving you time, money and from frustration in the long run. Dishwasher: Manually cleaning the filter weekly or biweekly, using correct water temperature, cleaning sprayer arms, checking for rust, running monthly cleansing cyc...
September 3, 2014 - Buffalo, NY — Better Business Bureau serving Upstate New York is responding to consumer inquiries regarding concerns linked to reports of Home Depot data breach. As the company looks into details behind the possible data breach, BBB offers recommendations for consumers who used a credit or debit card at the home improvement retailer. Home Depot issued a statement saying it is working to confirm the details of the possible breach. In 2013, 13.1 million consumers suffered identity fraud – the second highest level on rec...
Just like Vince Vaughn’s character stated in the 2005 movie, “Wedding Crashers” there could be serious mistakes being made, and those mistakes are affecting you (and your credit score). Knowing your credit score is one thing, and knowing what is on your credit report is another. In 1971 a federal statute called the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, was passed into law. The law helps to ensure the privacy, accuracy, and fairness of consumer credit data such as credit reports. The FCRA affords consumers the right to dispute any infor...
