Managing Passwords so you Don't get Hacked!
Your Moment of Trust
Securing today's online environment goes beyond thinking about the Wi-Fi router at home - and it all starts with a password. Passwords should be different for every account that lives online, is in the cloud, or is attached to something that retains personal or financial information. Think about the last time any of your online account passwords were changed. If they are all the same or a similar variation of the same password, if they are too easy to guess, or if they are forgotten or compromised - change them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people don’t need to change their...
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What you Should Know About Asbestos if you Live in an Older Home
Your Moment of Trust
From BBB of the Tri-Counties: Asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems when inhaled. Even brief exposure has been known to cause me sothelioma. Ifyou live in an older home, you could be at risk. Asbestos repair or removal may be necessary to protect you and your family’s health. Here’s what you need to know should you suspect your home has an asbestos problem. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair for sponsoring Your Moment of Trust
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How to Know your Cleaning Products are Safe
Your Moment of Trust
Your Moment of Trust, from BBB of the Tri-Counties: Using green cleaning products in your home can reduce toxins, such as volatile organic compounds that are bad for your health and the environment. Green cleaners are more popular than ever, which means shoppers have plenty of choices. But navigating the seals, certifications, and marketing claims can be confusing. Here are tips for choosing cleaning products that are effective and safe for you and the environment. A BIG thank you Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for sponsoring this podcast.
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Text Says you Won a Free Gift--Don't Buy it !
Your Moment of Trust
In the past few weeks, BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports of a text message scam that attempts to trick people with the promise of a “free gift.” How the scam works: You receive a text message that says something like this: “Your bill is paid for March. Thanks, here’s a little gift for you.” This message is followed by a link to an unfamiliar website. The text doesn’t specify what bill you paid, what company the message is coming from, or what the total amount was. Even more disturbing, the message may be a group text sent to a dozen or more other people, none of whom...
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Tips for Gardening & Landscaping
Your Moment of Trust
Gardening season is finally here! You may be envisioning all the herbs, flowers, and vegetables you’ll harvest at the end of the season. But you’ll need to put in hard work – not to mention money – to make your dream garden a reality. In this episode, BBB of the Tri-Counties gives tips to make a success of your garden and stay on budget. A BIG thank you Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara, for sponsoring this podcast!
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The Pros & Cons of Home Improvement Projects
Your Moment of Trust
Do-it-yourself is an attractive way to save money on home improvement projects. Home centers stay busy each spring with people looking to improve their home and yard. Whether you are remodeling your home, making needed repairs, or sprucing things up to put your house on the market, the following tips will help make your next home improvement project a success. This podcast is brought to you by BBB of the Tri-Counties and sponsored by Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara.
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How to Spot Malicious Websites
Your Moment of Trust
Scam websites often have very similar URLs and can look nearly identical to the real website. Watch out for red flags before entering your personal or payment information. Scammers are always creating new and improved lookalike websites to trick you out of your personal information and money. These websites may have a very similar URL or look nearly identical to the real website you are searching for, which means they can be hard to identify. Examples of this kind of scam include fake streaming service activation prompts, DMV impostors and fake postal service websites. Even BBB.org has been...
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Getting the Most Value from your Old Cell Phone
Your Moment of Trust
In this episode BBB of the Tri-Counties gives advice for evaluating trade in offers and finding the best deal for your old phone. If you are shopping for a new cell phone, trading it in with your carrier is an easy and enticing option. You get rid of your old phone and receive a significant discount on the latest model. Sounds like a perfect solution! But carrier trade-ins aren’t your only option for getting value out of your old phone. There are many ways to get cash or gift cards for your much-loved old smartphone..as you'll hear in this episode. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs...
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Home Maintenance Tips from BBB of the Tri-Counties
Your Moment of Trust
If you recently purchased a new home, you’ve no doubt found that all that extra space requires upkeep and maintenance. BBB recommends the following tips to help you care for your new home, hire contractors, and avoid getting scammed in the process. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara for sponsoring Your Moment of Trust.
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BBB of the Tri-Counties Gives Tips to Cope with Supply Chain Issues
Your Moment of Trust
Grocery aisles have gaping empty sections, and shoppers can never predict what’s going to be unavailable. New car dealerships struggle to fill their empty lots. People building homes report long waits for critical materials like windows and doors. Almost every industry has shortages and delays that all boil down to supply chain issues. Consumers and business owners are frustrated and confused. COVID-19 infection rates are declining, and restrictions have eased in most parts of America. Shouldn’t things be getting better by now? In this episode, BBB provides information on why supply chain...
info_outlineStores are not legally required to accept exchanges or give refunds, unless the merchandise was defective or misrepresented. While most retailers do offer refund and exchange programs, policies vary greatly from one store to another. Fortunately for shoppers, one positive outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is that many retailers have become more lenient in their return policies. But be sure to double check policies this holiday season, even if you are familiar with the brand, as stores can change their policies whenever they want.