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This podcast is brought to you by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust!

Summertime means grilling season is in full swing. But before you can host that backyard BBQ, you need a grill.

These tips will help you pick the right kind of grill at a price that fits your budget.

Tips for buying a grill

● Start by choosing a fuel type. Grills come in various budgets, so start by
narrowing your search according to fuel type. The most common options include 1.  Gas Grills, 2.  Charcoal or specialized ceramic grills, and 3. wood pellet grills.  

Gas grills are popular because of their convenience. These grills light with
the touch of a button and the turn of a few dials. If you want a gas grill, you
must decide between natural gas and propane. Natural grills plug into your
existing natural gas line, so you’ll never run out of fuel. Propane grills use
a cylinder that will need to be refilled. However, propane will be
significantly cheaper if you don’t have a natural gas line at your home.

Basic charcoal or specialized ceramic grills give you greater control over
cooking temperature. The bigger you build a fire, the higher the
temperature. Charcoal grills offer more classic grilled flavor than gas grills,
but they have a steeper learning curve.

Wood pellets. Pellet grills are designed to make food taste like cooked
over a wood fire. They often have digital thermostats that allow you to be
precise with the cooking temperature.

How to Choose the Right Grill:  

● Set a budget. Grill prices range from hundreds to thousands – to even tens of
thousands of dollars. Be sure to set your budget and know how much you can
spend before you start shopping. This will help you further narrow your options.

● Choose the right size. If you cook for a family of four, a two-burner gas grill or
most small to medium charcoal grills will work fine. Many grills are measured in
square inches. Grills around 400-500 square inches are a good choice for most
families. If you’re grilling for a crowd, you may need something larger.

● If you are new to grilling, start simple. A basic starter grill that only costs a couple
of hundred dollars will allow you to improve your grilling skills and decide if you
want to invest in something fancier.

● Check for solid construction. The more solid the grill, the more grilling seasons it
will last. Give assembled grills a jostle to see if they feel shaky or unstable. Grills
with welded joints are usually sturdier and more stable than carts assembled with bolts.  

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A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG Thank you to Ayers Auto Repairs in Santa Barbara for making Scam Squad possible!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust!

After more than three years of relief, the payment pause on student loans is coming to an end. The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that student loan interest will resume September 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October. This student loan news affects millions of Americans, which creates an excellent opportunity for scammers. In fact, BBB has already received multiple reports of scams related to student loan repayment citing “new 2023 guidelines.” Get to know the signs of a scam and always be sure to do your research before sharing any personal information.

How the scam works:

 You receive an email, letter, or phone call from someone claiming you are eligible for “student loan consolidation,” “payment reduction program,” or a similar service. This new benefit is allegedly part of “the new 2023 guidelines,” and the scammer may even claim to represent the Federal Student Aid (FSA) department. If you respond, the scammer will ask you for personal information to “confirm your identity” or to “check your eligibility.” This information might include your Social Security number, name and address, and even your FSA.gov login information. One student loan holder reported the following experience: “I received an email stating that the Student Loan Department has been trying to contact me to tell me all of my student loans are eligible for forgiveness under the new 2023 guidelines. They wanted me to call the number between 11-7pm in Albuquerque, New Mexico and give them information in order to process forgiveness.” At this point the loan holder reached out their student loan company and learned that the email was scam. After “verifying your identity” the scammer will offer you an enticing plan to reduce your loan repayment. If you agree, you may end up making payments a third-party in vain for months or even years. None of your payments will go towards your student loan. And even if you don’t make a payment, sharing personal information puts you at risk for identity theft.

Tips to avoid student loan forgiveness scams

● Get to know the terms of your student loan and the relief program before acting. Always do your research before sharing personal information. Be sure to understand the ins and outs of your specific loan and how student loan terms impact you. You may have to research who your current loan servicer is since it may have changed. Reach out to them to explore all your repayment options and make sure your contact information is up to date. For information, go straight to official government websites, such as ED.gov and studentaid.gov.

● Never pay money for a free government program. Scammers often trick victims into paying for free government programs – or they claim you can get additional benefits, faster benefits, etc., for a fee. A real government agency will not ask for an advanced processing fee. These are all red flags of a scam.

● Be wary of out-of-the-blue calls, emails, or text messages claiming to be from the government. Generally, the government will not contact you using these methods unless you grant permission.

● Watch out for phony government agencies or programs. If you speak to someone claiming to be a government representative offering you student loan relief, research before you agree to anything. Scammers often make up look-alike government websites that sound similar to legitimate agencies or programs.

● Think something seems suspicious? Reach out to the agency directly. If you have any concerns about an alleged government representative’s legitimacy, hang up the phone or stop emailing/texting. Then, find the official contact information (look on ED.gov and studentaid.gov or other official sites) and call to verify. Then, report suspicious calls or messages.

● Be careful, even if the information comes from a friend. Even if a close friend or family member you trust sent you the information regarding student loan relief, make sure the claims are real first. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BBB received many reports of hacked social media accounts being used to spread government impostor scams. For more information Read more on BBB.org about scams targeting recent college graduates and government impostors. Get further insight by reading BBB’s tips on loans and credit repair services. If you’ve spotted a student loan forgiveness scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.

Until next time!

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This Podcast is brought to you by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast. https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-of-the-tri-counties

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Between booking flights, hotels, a rental car, and things to do, planning a vacation can get stressful. It’s one reason many travelers turn to vacation packages, which bundle multiple aspects of your trip. Vacation packages are simpler to purchase and can save you money too. To get the best deal and to avoid unpleasant surprises, BBB recommends the following tips when booking a vacation package.

● Count the cost. The best way to know if you’re getting a good deal on a vacation package is to check the price for booking each part of the vacation separately. If a vacation package costs more than purchasing hotels, flights, rental cars, etc., separately, you might want to make your bookings instead.

● Be flexible to get the best deal. Getting a better value for your vacation package is easier if you can be flexible with your dates. This is also true if you’re flexible with your destination. Is your heart set on Cancun, but it’s outside your budget? Why not consider a travel package that takes you to a lesser-known beach in Mexico? The same goes for airport choices. Being open to departing from any nearby airport might save you hundreds of dollars.

● Know that you can extend travel dates (usually). If you’re offered a package with pre-established dates, know that most packages allow you to extend your trip or modify the dates as you see fit. You’ll pay more for different dates, but it can be done. However, if you can’t extend your trip for the package you’re interested in, you can always find your way home. Taking advantage of the travel package and adding your travel plans to the end of your trip is still an option.

● Book early or last minute. You can also get a good deal by booking your trip early or scoring a last-minute deal. If last-minute travel plans sound stressful, consider blocking off the time earlier in the year and hunting up your travel package the week before.

● Read the fine print. Always read and re-read the fine print when booking a vacation package to ensure you know exactly what is included and what isn’t. Airfare and your hotel might be included in the price, but what about land transfers, tips, activities, amenities, and food? The last thing you want is to assume your package is all-inclusive, only to discover you’ll need to pay for more than you expected after arriving at your destination.

● Check the refund and cancelation policies. Get to know how cancelations and refunds are handled if your trip is interrupted by illness, bad weather, or other unforeseen events. You’ll find this information in the fine print as well.

● Think about loyalty points and travel rewards. If you travel regularly, you might want to earn points through a loyalty program you use or redeem travel rewards for your next trip. This isn’t always possible when booking vacation packages. However, it might be if you book a vacation package through the company you get rewards from. For example, if you have plenty of sky miles saved up through your favorite airline’s loyalty program, try booking a vacation package through them.

● Watch out for scams. As always, you’ll need to watch for bad actors when searching for a good vacation package. Book through reputable vendors and be wary of travel companies you haven’t heard of before. Research to ensure they have a good business reputation before booking a trip. Read plenty of reviews, keeping a close eye out for complaints and reports of scams.

Until Next time!

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A Podcast from BBB of the Tri-Counties: 

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast

 

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! You are on a fitness journey

and have decided to purchase a fitness tracker. Having a fitness tracker can raise

awareness of your activities throughout the day. The benefits of a fitness tracker are

also connecting you to friends and an extended community of fitness enthusiasts. See

BBB’s tips on choosing a fitness tracker.

 

Within a couple of weeks, you start receiving messages from a member of your fitness

application social group. The sender begins by asking about your fitness goals, and

then the conversation becomes more personal. Questions are asked about your family,

where you work, and your hobbies. After creating a bond, the scammers start sharing

fake personal stories with you.

 

“He told me he was a single dad working overseas to provide for his daughter,” one

victim said. “I really believed him, and once I sent him money the first time, he continued

to ask repeatedly. When I refused to send more money, he threatened me and my

family. I am now out of $100,000, and I know it will be difficult to get any of that money

back.”

 

Signs of the scam:

 

● Moving fast. Scammers will begin to ask personal questions quickly. (Are you

married, where do you work, etc.).

● Emotional stories. The scammer may have a sick, elderly parent or child needing

medical care.

● Specific instructions when asking for financial help. The scammer will request

you wire money or use a prepaid debit card.

● Ask to communicate differently. As the scammer develops a relationship with a

victim, they will ask for email contact or a personal cell phone number to connect

outside the app.

 

Tips to avoid fitness app and other social app scams:

 

● Do not post a picture of yourself as a profile. Use an avatar or free stock photo as

a protective measure to avoid scammers targeting certain groups of people (ex:

senior community).

● Do not share personal information (marital status, employment) with a stranger.

The more the scammer knows about you, the more information they have to

manipulate you out of your identity and money.

● Think before accepting requests from strangers. Being a part of a community is

rewarding but can also be dangerous. Only connect with people you already

know.

● Avoid clicking on unsolicited links. Clicking on a link may lead to downloading

malware onto your device. The downloaded malware can lead to scammers

collecting personally identifiable information that can be used for identity theft or

tracking your digital footprint.

● Share with a family member or close friend. If uncomfortable or unsure about the

communication you receive, share your concerns with someone you know.

Receiving a different perspective is always helpful when in doubt.

 

Until next time!

For more scam warnings, visit  https://www.youtube.com/c/ScamSquad/videos

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A podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG Thank You to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust!

When planning your summer vacation, consider renting an RV or camper. Over the past few years, camping has become more appealing as a vacation option and caused a massive rise in RV sales and prices. RVs and campers allow vacationers to travel and see multiple sights – while maintaining a private space, they can control. You should consider many factors before renting an RV, especially if you are a first-timer.

Tips for renting an RV or camper:

 To get the most out of your RV rental and to make sure your vacation goes off without a hitch, follow these tips:

Get to know different RV classes. One of the biggest decisions you’ll need is what kind of RV you want to rent. Both towable RVs (often called campers) and motorized RVs are available. If you want a camper, you’ll need a vehicle to pull it. If you prefer a motorized RV, consider what kind of transportation you’ll need (if any) after the RV is parked. Motorized RVs come in three classes: A, B, and C. You generally don’t need a special license to drive any RVs, but there are significant differences in how each class drives. Class A RVs are the largest and can measure up to 45 feet in length. They are also the hardest to maneuver because of their large size and may not be suitable for someone who has never driven an RV before. Class B RVs fall between 16 and 22 feet long and best suit couples or individuals. They are also the easiest to drive since they handle large trucks or vans. Class C RVs are in-between, usually sleeping four to six people and measuring 21 to 35 feet long. A Class C RV drives like a moving truck with no rear-view mirror capability. Once you’ve decided what kind of RV suits you and your traveling companions, you can narrow your search to specific models within a class. Knowing what type of RV you’ll rent will help you plan other aspects of your trip.

Budget your trip. Depending on the size of the RV, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $300 per night on average. Luxury Class A RVs can cost considerably more per night. However, coming up with a trip budget involves much more than just the rental price per night of the RV. You’ll also need to factor in insurance, gas, campground fees, food, and any additional activities you have planned for your trip. Remember that RV rental companies often allot you a certain number of miles and generator time. You’ll be charged additional miles or time if you exceed the designated amounts.

Choose a booking company. Once you know what kind of RV you want to rent and how much you can spend, you can browse options with different booking companies. Here, too, you have several options. Some booking companies own their vehicles and offer standardized rates and experiences. Others work more like Airbnb; they have various RVs owned and leased by individuals. Policies vary from business to business, and while some companies include mileage and insurance in their booking price, others offer them as add-ons that must be paid for separately. Be sure to read up on each booking company’s policies and review past customer reviews before you do business with them.

Take a walkthrough. When you find an RV or camper interested in renting, taking a walkthrough tour is essential. Not only will you be able to see if the RV measures up to its online description, but you can also learn how to operate the RV. Take advantage of a walkthrough to find out how the generator and electrical hook-ups work, how to dump water tanks, how to operate the awnings, or any other basic functions you need clarification on.

Purchase insurance. If insurance isn’t included in the basic price of your RV rental, be sure to purchase it separately. Most states require at least liability insurance for motorized RVs. Your standard car insurance policy usually covers campers, but check with your insurance company. A good insurance policy will give you peace of mind and protection in case of accidents, bad weather, or theft.

Plan your route. Start planning your route by deciding where to park your RV during your journey. If you want to park at a U.S. National Park, you must book well in advance, sometimes a year or more. You’ll also need to book for state parks and privately-owned campgrounds in advance. If you are new to driving an RV, you might want to choose pull-through parking spaces instead of spaces you’ll have to back into. In addition, some hotels and other tourist destinations offer RV parking for visitors. After you know where you’ll park, double-check your chosen route to ensure it doesn’t include any narrow roads, low bridges, or tunnels that the RV won’t fit in or under. Keep the height of your RV in mind when you make pit stops, too. First-time RV drivers sometimes forget common low clearance situations, such as fast-food drive-throughs.

Know what to bring. Amenities vary from one RV to another, so make sure you know what’s included before you start packing. Some booking companies include sheets, utensils, and cookware, while others don’t. Knowing what is included will help you avoid packing non-essentials. Packing a tool kit and a first aid kit is a good idea if these aren’t already on board the RV. Learn to set up campsites.

Many seasoned RV renters advise arriving at your campsite early. It’s much easier to park and set up electric and water hookups with plenty of daylight. Read the RV manual before your trip to understand how to hook up at a campsite and how to dump wastewater. Remember that dumping wastewater can be a messy experience, and many campers prefer to pay for on-site dump services. This may be a preferable option if your campground provides this service. Other campers use public restrooms and showers to avoid dumping waste at all. Until next time

Until next time!

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A podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties:

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara, for supporting this podcast

Use caution when hiring a home improvement contractor, especially following a major storm, flood, or weather event when many homeowners are trying to repair their homes. However, contractor scams can happen anytime, so be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees, and fly-by-night businesses. Con artists will take homeowners’ money and deliver (or not deliver) less than quality work.

How the scam works:

Home improvement scams can start with a knock on the door, a flyer, or an ad. The contractor may offer a low price or a short timeframe. One common hook is when the scammer claims to be working in your neighborhood on another project and has leftover supplies.

Once started, a rogue contractor may “find” issues that significantly raise the price. If you object, they threaten to walk away and leave a half-finished project. Or they may accept your upfront deposit and never return to do the job. Following a natural disaster, scammers persuade homeowners to sign over their insurance payments.

Tips to spot this scam:

• Watch out for “red flags.” Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, handshake deals without a contract, and on-site inspections. Not all “storm chasers” are con artists, but enough are that you should be cautious any time a home contractor contacts you first…especially after a natural disaster.
  
  
• Ask for references and check them out. Bad contractors will be reluctant to share this information, and scammers won’t wait for you to do your homework. If you can, get references from past customers, both older references to check on the quality of the work and newer references to ensure current employees are up to the task. Check them out at BBB.org to see what other customers have experienced. And always get a written contract with the price, materials, and timeline. The more detail, the better. 

• Know the law. Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing, and insurance. Confirm that your vendor will get related permits, and make sure you know who is responsible for what according to your local laws and that your vendor is ready to comply. 

To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker.

Be sure to check out more scam warnings on Scam Squad

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