Cameron Nakashima, Media Engagement & Digital Campaigns Manager, BBB Great West + Pacific

  • Finding a Trustworthy Financial Advisor

    Thinking about investing? You’re not alone. According to Gallup, 85% of Americans are actively seeking financial guidance—but BBB finds that too often, people lose money to bad advice and fraudulent “investment gurus” posing as experts.

    BBB’s 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report found that investment scams are the riskiest in North America, with the highest susceptibility rate and losses in the thousands!

    With this in mind, working with a trustworthy financial advisor isn’t just smart—it’s safer.

    According to Ramsey Solutions:

    • 44% of people with advisors have $100K-plus saved for retirement, vs. 9% of solo investors.
    • 68% of millionaires surveyed used financial advisors to build their wealth.

    Working with a trustworthy professional is a difference-maker. That’s where third-party trust indicators such as the Better Business Bureau come in. While BBB doesn’t give financial advice, it does help you find financial professionals you can trust.

    Read reviews, check complaint histories, identify accreditation, get multiple quotes and use BBB’s free Financial Wellness HQ tools: bbb.org/all/financial-wellness-hq.

    BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU GREAT WEST+PACIFIC (nonprofit)
    800-460-0910 | info@thebbb.org | thebbb.org
    Ad or company clarification: bbb.org
    Report a scam: bbb.org/scamtracker
    File a complaint: bbb.org/file-a-complaint

    Thinking about investing? You’re not alone. According to Gallup, 85% of Americans are actively seeking financial guidance—but BBB finds that too often, people lose money to bad advice and fraudulent “investment gurus” posing as experts. BBB’s 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report found that investment scams are the riskiest in North America, with the highest susceptibility…

  • Beware of Going-Out-of-Business Sales

    Seeing the big signs and online ads that say “Going Out of Business! Everything Must Go!” can be tempting, but these sales aren’t always what they seem.

    Fake “online sale” websites:

    Scammers create fake websites advertising clearance sales, pretending to be popular brands. You place an order, get a tracking number but nothing arrives. Others may send cheap knockoffs instead of advertised products.

    Misleading marketing:

    Not all these sales are scams, but even legitimate store closures don’t always offer the deals they promise. Many retailers hire third-party liquidators who mark up prices before discounting them or stretch out sales for months. Some businesses advertise closures indefinitely to pressure shoppers.

    Shop smart by looking up the business on BBB.org. Verify websites by checking URL spellings and look for “https://.” Use a credit card for fraud protection. Compare prices before buying to make sure the “deal” is real.

    These simple steps and Better Business Bureau insights can help you make better buying choices, keeping your money safe — even when the deal looks really good!

    BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU GREAT WEST + PACIFIC (nonprofit)
    800-460-0910 | info@thebbb.org | thebbb.org
    Ad or company clarification: bbb.org
    Report a scam: bbb.org/scamtracker
    File a complaint: bbb.org/file-a-complaint

    Seeing the big signs and online ads that say “Going Out of Business! Everything Must Go!” can be tempting, but these sales aren’t always what they seem. Fake “online sale” websites: Scammers create fake websites advertising clearance sales, pretending to be popular brands. You place an order, get a tracking number but nothing arrives. Others…

  • How to Give Wisely

    Donating to charities can be a profoundly impactful and rewarding experience, but not all charities use donated funds responsibly. So here are three quick and easy tips to ensure your future contributions make a meaningful impact:

    ◆ Vet the charity: Quickly research the charities you plan to donate to. What is the charity’s BBB rating and community reputation? Does it have the necessary government registration with state authorities? If you plan to use the donation for a tax deduction, ensure the charity you’re considering qualifies; they usually need to be a 501(c)(3) organization.

    ◆ Ask questions: Ask the charity about its intended use of donations. How much of the funds collected are going to the intended recipients and how much does the charity or fundraising organization keep for itself?

    ◆ Watch for look-alikes: Impostors commonly mimic well-known charities. Carefully check URLs, logos and spelling, and educate yourself on the other telltale signs of an impostor scam.

    Maximizing the impact of your charitable giving can be quick and easy. Guard against impostors. Ask questions. Do your research.

    BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU GREAT WEST + PACIFIC (nonprofit)
    800-460-0910 | info@thebbb.org | thebbb.org
    Ad or company clarification: bbb.org
    Report a scam: bbb.org/scamtracker
    File a complaint: bbb.org/file-a-complaint

    Donating to charities can be a profoundly impactful and rewarding experience, but not all charities use donated funds responsibly. So here are three quick and easy tips to ensure your future contributions make a meaningful impact: ◆ Vet the charity: Quickly research the charities you plan to donate to. What is the charity’s BBB rating…

  • Beware of Scams While Shopping Online

    Holiday shopping has shifted dramatically from in-person to online in recent years. Although this change gives us new opportunities for finding unique gifts while supporting small businesses — it also comes with risks.

    With 33.2 million small businesses now able to showcase their products online, you have infinite options at your fingertips. However, the rise of e-commerce has also attracted fraudsters who create fake websites in order to steal your money and personal information.

    To shop safely online while supporting local businesses, follow these tips:

    • Do your homework. Look for a physical address and phone number on the website. If you can’t find this information, it’s best to shop elsewhere.
    • Check for customer reviews on independent sites like BBB.org and Google. Be wary of businesses with no reviews or those sounding repetitive.
    • Use a safe payment type. Pay with a credit card; avoid using pre-paid cards, payment apps or crypto.

    Keep your guard up when shopping online and utilize these steps to help protect yourself while supporting legitimate small businesses for a happy holiday season for all!

    BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU GREAT WEST + PACIFIC (nonprofit)
    800-460-0910 | info@thebbb.org | thebbb.org
    Ad or company clarification: bbb.org
    Report a scam: bbb.org/scamtracker
    File a complaint: bbb.org/file-a-complaint

    Holiday shopping has shifted dramatically from in-person to online in recent years. Although this change gives us new opportunities for finding unique gifts while supporting small businesses — it also comes with risks. With 33.2 million small businesses now able to showcase their products online, you have infinite options at your fingertips. However, the rise…

  • Negotiation Tips: How to Haggle

    Negotiation Tips: How to Haggle

    Paying too much but don’t know how to get a better price? Haggling might help. Negotiating prices via haggling can save savvy shoppers money, especially on big-ticket items like homes, vehicles or expensive services. Although it can be intimidating, haggling is common. When done respectfully, it can create a healthy marketplace. Here are a few tips to help:

    Tips for New Hagglers

    • Research First: Find what a fair market price is and use BBB’s Get-a-Quote tool (bbb.org/get-a-quote) to get multiple quotes, empowering you to negotiate reasonably and knowledgeably.
    • It’s a Conversation: Think of haggling as a conversation communicating your needs and expectations to get the best value for your money.
    • Be Willing to Walk Away: If the seller doesn’t meet your expectations, be prepared to go elsewhere. Showing you aren’t desperate increases leverage.
    • Be Respectful: Always maintain a polite attitude, striving for a satisfying middle ground for both parties. When done right, haggling can be enjoyable, help you identify the right company to purchase from and save you thousands of dollars on your next big purchase.

    BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU GREAT WEST + PACIFIC (nonprofit)
    800-460-0910 | info@thebbb.org | thebbb.org
    Ad or company clarification: bbb.org
    Report a scam: bbb.org/scamtracker
    File a complaint: bbb.org/file-a-complaint

    Paying too much but don’t know how to get a better price? Haggling might help. Negotiating prices via haggling can save savvy shoppers money, especially on big-ticket items like homes, vehicles or expensive services. Although it can be intimidating, haggling is common. When done respectfully, it can create a healthy marketplace. Here are a few…