iTunes and the BBB June 30, 2008
Posted by bbbboise in Current Events, News.add a comment
Your Better Business Bureau Serving Southwest Idaho and Eastern Oregon is proud to announce its launch of the “Better Business Bureau Podcast”. This is the first BBB podcast ever to be hosted on iTunes, “the world’s #1 online music store.” This podcast gives you updated audio access to scams, schemes, and trends in the business market. In addition, the podcast provides information on the BBB, business accreditation and what it means to uphold the standards of trust. Simply click hereto go directly to iTunes store and download the free podcast or click on “BBB podcast on iTunes” under “links”. After you’ve subscribed to the podcast, new podcasts episodes can be downloaded to your iTunes player and iPod as they are produced, keeping you further up-to-date on issues and events on hand!
Phony Invoices Target Domain Name Holders June 13, 2008
Posted by bbbboise in Current Events, Scams.add a comment
Your BBB has had several calls today about local businesses receiving phony domain name invoices.
Businesses report having received official-looking renewal notices, supposedly from their domain registrars. The notices are actually solicitations for business that are disguised as invoices. The letters inform the business recipients that their domain name registration is about to expire and at risk losing their Internet domain name if they do not send in immediate payment. These mailings are worded to appear to be renewal invoices, without violating U.S. Postal Service regulations concerning solicitations.
A second type of scam advises businesses that another company is trying to register “an alternative version of your domain name.” This offer gives you the chance to register the domain name at a high price in order to “prevent the other person from taking your domain name” always with a sense of urgency.
Tips from your BBB:
- Educate bookkeepers, accounting staff, and web site managers to beware of “domain registration” solicitations designed as invoices;
- Only accept domain renewal notices from the company with whom you have registered your domain name;
- To check when you need to renew your domain name, contact your existing domain registrar;
- Check your records to confirm claims of previous business dealings with the company or seller; and
- Establish effective internal controls for the payment of invoices.
