The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) has compiled its statistics for 2009 and announces the Top Ten industries for customer complaints and inquiries, as well as total instances of service to the public – 1,733,975, a new record for the BBB.

The BBB handled over 25,500 complaints in 2009, resolving nearly 92 percent of them. “2009 is barely in our rear view mirror and we’re working hard to analyze the data for trends,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “The statistics that emerge from the past year will allow us to identify the industries that most need our help in decreasing complaints and increasing consumer trust.”

Despite the troubles the auto industry has experienced recently, complaints against auto dealers topped our list last year. Complaints against contractors were also prevalent, as evidenced by the five categories in the construction field which made the list. The construction industry also topped the list of inquiries from the public the BBB received in 2009. Work-At- Home offers were number seven on that list, likely a result of an increase in offers of that nature and the continued high unemployment rate.
THE TOP TEN COMPLAINTS ON INDUSTRIES WERE:
1. Auto dealers-New cars
2. Siding contractors
3. Roofing contractors
4. Auto dealers-Used cars
5. Construction and remodeling services

6. Auto Repair and Services
7. Contractors-General
8. Banks
9. Windows-Installation/Service
10. Television-cable, CATV and satellite

THE TOP TEN INQUIRIES ON INDUSTRIES WERE:
1. Roofing contractors
2. Contractor-General
3. Construction and remodeling Services

4. Electronic equipment & Supplies-
Dealers
5. Mortgages and/or escrow companies
6. Collection agencies
7. Work-at-home companies
8. Heating and air conditioning
9. Internet shopping services
10. Auto dealers-Used cars

Predictions for 2010

The BBB has received thousands of calls about scams that affected consumers this past year. The unique role we play gives us insight into current trends and helps us to predict what is likely to head our way in the coming year. Based on our observations, here are some scams to be on the lookout for in 2010!

o Winter Olympics Scams. The 2010 Winter Games are in Vancouver, British Columbia this year. If you’re considering going, make sure tickets for Olympic events are purchased from the appropriate agency. U.S. citizens must purchase tickets from http://www.cosport.com/.

Scammers may also seek to take advantage of consumers by offering ‘hospitality packages,’ which consumers pay for only to discover they don’t have accommodations.

o Census Scams. Scammers may use the Census in an attempt to ‘phish’ and get personal information from consumers via email. Census information will NOT be collected by email. For more information about how the Census process will work, check www.census.gov .

o ‘Green’ remodeling offers. When working with a contractor, homeowners should have a clear understanding of what makes a product green and the precise advantages and disadvantages of that item. Consumers should verify that the products offered are eligible for advertised rebates or tax incentives.

o Job scams. Seeking to take advantage of high unemployment rates, scammers will try to rope people into fraudulent re-shipping schemes or offer jobs in exchange for an upfront payment. Be aware that re-shipping schemes are illegal and legitimate employment offers do not require

any payment upfront.

o Pre-acquired account marketing ‘offers.’ After making purchases online,

customers receive pop-ups offering discounts which appear to come from the retailer. However, the pop-ups come from third-party companies and by clicking on these offers to save, customers unknowingly sign up for memberships, which result in monthly billings (usually far greater than the initial offer of savings) to their credit cards – even when they haven’t directly provided their credit card numbers. Agreements between online retailers and these third-party companies allow customer credit card information to be shared. Customers should be alert when presented with these offers and make sure they understand all the terms of offers they receive.

o IRS-related scams. These tend to flare up as tax season approaches. The IRS reminds people that they do not discuss tax account matters with people by email. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/ article/0,,id=211669,00.html

o Wireless security breaches. Consumers need to be aware that unless they take precautions, their personal information can be compromised when they utilize public Wi-Fi connections. http:// www.onguardonline.gov/topics/wirelesssecurity. aspx

o Fake online classified ads or auction sales. Customers respond to online offers or auctions that are too good to be true, only to find out they don’t get the promised product and their personal information (credit card number) has been compromised.

o Gift card scams. This occurs when people buy gift cards from auction sites at reduced prices and then discover the cards are blank or nearly depleted of value. It’s best to purchase a gift card directly from the merchant.

o Smishing scams. Similar to phishing, smishing uses cell phone text messages

to deliver the “bait” to get you to

divulge your personal information. The “hook” (the method used to actually “capture”

your information) in the text message may be a Web site URL. However it has become more common to see a phone number that connects to an automated voice response system.

The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to promote, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill public confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, protect and assist the general public. Contact the BBB atwww.thefirstbbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.