Shred Day Is Oct. 17 In Edwardsville
Protect Your Identity By Shredding Documents
 Bring up to three boxes of documents for free shredding and learn how to protect yourself from identity theft. Canceled checks, old bank statements, credit card bills and expired ID cards are among the kinds of documents that should be shredded before they are discarded.
[FULL STORY]
|
Missouri Nursing Homes Make Payday Loans
Lax State Laws Allow Lenders To Expand
 A BBB study of the payday loan industry in Missouri reveals that more than 90 nursing homes in the state have payday loan licenses. The homes make loans to employees and deduct payments from their paychecks.
[FULL STORY]
|
BBB Will Recognize Ten Companies, Two Charities
TORCH Award Banquet Is Oct. 30 At Chase Park Plaza
 The Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Illinois and Eastern Missouri will recognize 10 companies and two charities for their outstanding commitment to excellent customer service and business ethics with its annual TORCH Awards Oct. 30. Maxine Clark, "chief executive bear" of Build-A-Bear Workshop, will accept the top award and give the keynote speech. Tickets can be ordered by calling 314-645-3300 or by e-mail.
[FULL STORY]
|
BBB Says Texas Firm Resembles Pyramid Scheme
iJango Has Held Meetings In St. Louis Area
 The BBB in Austin, Texas, issued a warning about Texas-based iJango, which encourages people to buy a package for $149.95 plus a monthly maintenance fee, promising to pay them money for selling the package to others.
[FULL STORY]
|
BBB Warns Consumers About Thrift Plus Stores
Company's Record On Charitable Giving Is Unclear
 Three St. Louis Thrift Plus stores regularly give receipts to donors so they can obtain income tax deductions for charitable giving. But the company hasn't been forthcoming when asked about its gifts to charity. The company's trucks carry the logo for Help Hospitalized Veterans, which used to be affiliated with Thrift Plus.
[FULL STORY]
|
Consumers Say Singles Club Misled Them
Complaints Center On High-Pressure Sales Tactics
 A Brentwood, Mo., singles club that promised "hassle-free" adventures for members has been the subject of complaints from several customers that say they were misled about costs and pressured into making quick decisions to join the club, Events & Adventures, which has ties to a company in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
[FULL STORY]
|
Consumers Complain About RezXtra Offer
Canadian Company Ships Pills From St. Louis
 Consumers who signed up for a "free offer" of the grape extract ended up with monthly charges on their credit cards. Customers said their calls to the RezXtra telephone number went unanswered, and they had difficulty canceling the monthly fees.
[FULL STORY]
|
'Phishing' Schemes Hit Phones, Text Messages
Alert Consumers Tell BBB Scammers Called Them
 Consumers say they have seen an increase recently in automated calls and text messages sent to cell phones asking for credit or debit card information. Some scammers say they are with a bank or credit card company that is alerting consumers that their cards have expired.
[FULL STORY]
|
