, .
MAGlVOLlA GAZETTE 1
MAGNOLIA, MS
c,rculidion= 1700
WEEKLY
01/08/2009
Top 10 resolutions for a healthy fmancial new ykar
.<
- -~
. Scam artists go
where the money is. A s
disposable income rises,
so do the efforts of those
seeking to defraud. With
the start of a new year,
the Better Business Bu-
reau (BBB) serving Mis-
sissippi is once again
prepared to assist con-
sumers by providing in-
formation a s they make
major purchasing, chari-
table, giving or invest-
..merit decisions. 'The
m o s t important New
:Year's resolution you
can make is to contact
the BBB before making
major financial decisions
and before responding to
, any enticing (unsolicited)
offers," said Bill Moak,
I I
PresidentICEO of the (3)Resolveto help their promises such a s develop a plan to achieve business with door-to-
Mississippi BBB. children become in- "fast money", 'no experi- your goal. door salesmen. Make
formed consumers. ence necessary," and (8)Resolve to tac- sure that the business
Top 10 Resolutions Counsel them on estab- 'work from the comfort kle your debt load. h a s a permanent ad-
lishing a budget, help of your homen. Get refer- Establish a debt repay- dress and phone nurn-
(1)Resolve to get them spot signs of ences, contact satisfied ment plan for the year - ber. Check customer ref-
all promises in writing. fraudlrip-offs, inform customers, check with and keep strict records. erences and contact the
Make sure the contract them about online priva- the BBB. Pay more than required BBB for information on
provisions match what cy and security issues. (6)Resolve to be on monthly debt pay- the company's market-
the salesperson told you. (4)Resolve to a n informed investor. ments. place record.
Read and understand
' shop safely online. Cy- Scam artists tailor their (9)Resolve to be The BBB h a s
the contract and guaran- berspace crooks have investment pitches well wary of unsolicited cred- been serving Mississippi
tee before you sign. the potential to perpetu- to entice unsuspecting it offers. Ignore ads from since 1964 providing Re-
(2)Resolve to ate scams quickly on the investors. Avoid any unfamiliar companies, liability Reports on busi-
guard your personal web - leaving no paper pitches that require you especially those requir- ness and charity per-
information. Give out trails and bypassing geo- to "act now" or that ing advance fees to formance. Contact the
credit card, bank ac- graphical boundaries. "guaranteenunbelievable secure a low-interest BBB online at
count, or Social Security (5)Resolve to re- profits. loan or repair your cred- www.ms.bbb.org or call
numbers very cautious- sist the lure of 'easy (7)Resolve to for- it rating (despite a bad their Automated
ly. Be wary of phone money". If you are con- malize a savings plan. credit history). Response Line (800-987-
calls, mail or email mes- templating work-from- Determine how much (10)Resolve to 8280).
sages asking for such home opportunities, do you need to bolster your deal only with reliable
information. your homework. Verify financial cushion and merchants. Don't do