BBB Serving Greater Cleveland Market Monitor

1. theMarketMonitorN E W S F O R B E T T E R B U S I N E S S B U R E A U A C C R E D I T E D B U S I N E S S E S®
B E T T E R B U S I N E S S B U R E A U S E R V I N G G R E A T E R C L E V E L A N D
Top 5 Scams reported on
BBB Scam Tracker
• IRS Tax Collection
• Government Grants
• Bogus Debt Collection
• Sweepstakes/Lotteries
• Phony Tech Support
Want to report a scam? Go
to bbb.org/scamtracker.
INSIDE: Scam VictimSurveyResults • LocalContractorComplaints • Kudos • B2BDiscounts
Lunchand Learn • Flash Webinars • ShredDay • GetYourStarRating
AUGUST 2016
SERVICE TO THE
COMMUNITY
Greater Cleveland BBB Activity
Report: January - July 2016
Reports issued on companies/
charities: 833,583
Customer complaints filed: 4,954
Online Accredited Business
Directory listings viewed:
7,304,108
bbb.org/cleveland visits: 779,815
Advertising review cases
initiated: 267
CUYAHOGA
GEAUGA
LAKE
ASHTABULA
LORAIN
How many
times have
you wished
there was
someplace
you could
turn to file
a complaint
about a
customer?
Or determine a customer’s credit worthiness
without relying solely on credit reporting
agencies? BBB can help!
A new benefit for BBB Accredited
Businesses gives you easy access to
KnowYourCustomers.com - a tool you can
use to research records of non-payment
reported by other sources. You can also
use KnowYourCustomers.com to report
customers who do not pay you.
BBB Accredited Businesses receive a 30%
discount.
BBB has contracted with
KnowYourCustomers.com to provide
mediation or legally binding arbitration to
settle disputes as an option to costly legal
actions or collections.
Want more details? John Covender, CEO and
Founder of KnowYourCustomers.com will
conduct a webinar on October 13, 2016 to
explain the many benefits of this service. Or
contact John Covender at (330) 510-5995
x102 or john@knowyourcustomers.com.
Mark your calendar for December 8th. BBB’s
“Celebration of Integrity” meeting will be held
that morning at Stillwater Place, a stunning
event center located at the Cleveland
Metroparks Zoo. Guests will be shuttled
from the parking lot to the center to enjoy
breakfast and our annual recognition for
“Students of Integrity” and “Champions of
Integrity”. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
Ed “Flash” Ferenc will be our emcee. You
may remember Flash as part of the top-rated
“Buzzard Morning Zoo” on WMMS-FM. These
days, Flash hosts a daily labor radio program
called “America’s Workforce” on WERE 1490
AM.
Watch your email for more information on
this event.
NEW B2B DISCOUNT CAN HELP YOU
KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS
CELEBRATION OF INTEGRITY TO BE HELD AT
EXCITING NEW VENUE
“We had a customer that was
many weeks past due. I submitted
(them) to KnowYourCustomers.
com...the payment did arrive. Your
service was easy to use and it got
results. Thanks.”
Steve Giordano
Team Logic IT, General Manager/Owner

2. ®
Follow usat:
BBB SURVEY REVEALS SURPRISING
RESULTS ABOUT SCAM VICTIMS
The stereotype of the “little old lady” as scam victim is wrong, and Millennials are actually
more vulnerable to scams than Baby Boomers. That’s the conclusion of new research by the
BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute). Marketplace scams affect one in four
North American households each year at an estimated loss to individuals and families of $50
billion, yet most consumers believe they are invulnerable.
The research, Cracking the Invulnerability Illusion: Stereotypes, Optimism Bias, and the
Way Forward for Marketplace Scam Education, is based on a survey of more than 2,000
adults in the U.S. and Canada. Participants were asked about their perceived vulnerability to
scams, who they think is most likely to be scammed, and about the factors that helped them
to avoid being scammed. The participants did not know that BBB was the sponsor of the
survey.
The infographic on the right provides highlights of the research.
LOCAL CONTRACTOR BUILDING PATTERN OF
HOMEOWNER COMPLAINTS
A Strongsville home improvement company whose
Operating Manager is linked to several other home
improvement companies is generating serious
complaints with Better Business Bureau Serving
Greater Cleveland (BBB). Homeowners tell BBB that
All Together Construction has accepted payment
for jobs that were either never started or were not
completed satisfactorily. All Together Construction has
an “F” rating with BBB for unresolved and unanswered
complaints.
Ken Adams is identified in BBB files as the Operating
Manager of All Together Construction. Adams is also
affiliated in BBB records with several other home improvement businesses, some of which
went out of business leaving unresolved and unanswered complaints.
Bellagio Roofing and Gutter - This company operated from the same address as All Together
Construction and closed in 2012 leaving three unanswered complaints.
Prestique Roofing went out of business in approximately December 2004 leaving 27
unpursuable complaints.
Cleveland Home Improvement Co., Inc. - Ken Adams was the owner of this business until
March, 2003, when he advised BBB he had ceased operations. At the time it closed, BBB had
11 consumer complaints, two of which were closed as unresolved and four as unanswered.
(Not to be confused with Cleveland Home Improvement Company located in Lakewood).
Dream Works Home Improvement, LLC - Ken Adams was the General Manager of this
business. In June of this year, the Ohio Attorney General filed a lawsuit naming Dream Works
Home Improvement and Kenneth Adams as defendants. The action alleges that the company
took payment for repairs that were either never begun, never completed, or substandard.
The matter is pending.
KUDOS
BBB Director,
Kris Toth, has
been appointed
National NARI
Vice Chair of
the Bylaws
and Ethics
Committee.
Toth owns
Toth Painting
Solutions and
serves as Secretary of BBB’s Board
of Directors.
B2B DISCOUNTS FOR
BBB ACCREDITED
BUSINESSES
Easton Telecom Phone
service rates ranging as
low as 5% off most retail
services. For a no-obligation
cost comparison and service
analysis, contact Jim Butler at
(800) 222-8122.
All Ohio Secure Shred will
shred documents on site for
$25/month for one container.
Also, one-time bulk purge for
10 cents/lb. $50 minimum.
Call (330) 659-0840 or
(888) 747-3394.
Intellicorp Records, Inc.
offers online criminal checks
for $17.07 each. Other reports
also discounted. Call
(800) 539-3717.
PartnerShip® offers
discounts on select FedEx®
services including express
packages, ground packages,
and residential delivery,
on both new and existing
FedEx® accounts. Also save
at least 70% on standard
and guaranteed LTL freight
shipments with UPS Freight
and other reputable carriers,
including competitive pricing
on truckload, expedited, and
tradeshow shipments. Call
(800) 599-2902.
Some member discount programs
generate revenue which BBB reinvests
into the organization’s operations.

3. bbb.org/cleveland
theMarketMonitor
Scammers are
easy to spot.
Scammers are
sophisticated
master-manipulators.
Internet makes it
easy and profitable
for fraudsters
to operate
undetected.
Scammers are
chameleons—they
change their names
and pose as sources
you trust.
This is someone
else’s problem.
We are all at risk.
Scams have little
economic impact.
Nearly 1 in 5 individuals lose money
to a scam each year . . .
. . . with annual losses
estimated at $50 billion.
69% of victims are under 45
78% of victims hold a college
or graduate degree
MYTHS ABOUT SCAMS
Scamm
easy to
5
The losses are staggering.
Inreality:Thetruthis:Yes,theydo!
1
2
3
No point in
reporting a scam.
49% of people who report scams do so
to help warn others.
BBB is the #1 place for reporting scams.
Source: CBBB Research, 2016
Infact:
#1
5
I can't protect
myself.
Stay informed.
60% of those who lost money to a
scam agree that techniques used
and being unfamiliar with the scam
were contributing factors.
80% of our respondents
said knowing about
a particular scam
helped them avoid
an attempt.
Actually,itisbestto
4
Scammers gain your trust.
Would you like
to report a
scam?
REPORT
You and your employees are
invited to tune in to these FREE,
30 minute webinars that get
straight to the point and cover
important details on helpful topics.
So grab your computer and let
your BBB help advance your
business in the time it takes to
enjoy your morning coffee!
September 29th, 9:00 a.m.
Businesses Beware: Scammers
Want You! Recognizing Scams
That Target Your Business.
Presented by: Harris Senturia,
Federal Trade Commission
October 6th, 9:00 a.m.
Sure, I have a Firewall…I Think.
Basic ISP Firewalls: Are they
secure enough?
Presented by: Vic Manfredi of
Affordable-IT
October 13th, 9:00 a.m.
How Well Do You “Know Your
Customers”? New service offers
peace of mind and BBB Members
Only Discount.
Presented by: John Covender of
Know Your Customers
October 27th, 9:00 a.m.
Viruses, Hackers, and Malware -
OH MY! Securing your network
from attacks.
Presented by: Vic Manfredi of
Affordable-IT
Watch your email for registration
information, or find it in the events
listings on bbb.org/Cleveland.
Interested in presenting a BBB
Flash Webinar? Have questions?
Contact Brigid at (216) 623-8964
x206 or brigid@cleveland.bbb.org.
LUNCH AND LEARN
Monday, October 17th, time and
location to be announced
Don’t Let Scammers Hold You
Hostage! Ransomware is on the
rise – are you protected?
Sponsored and Presented by:
Affordable-IT
Have questions? Contact Brigid at
(216) 623-8964 x206 or brigid@
cleveland.bbb.org
BBB FLASH Webinar

4. The Market Monitor
Better Business Bureau
2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44115-2417
The Market Monitor (ISSN 1085-5122). August 2016. Volume 12 No. 4. Published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Better Business Bureau, Inc. 2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor,
Cleveland, OH 44115-2417, Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Market Monitor, 2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44115-2417.
Periodicals Postage PaidThe Market Monitor
Better Business Bureau
2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44115-2417
Periodicals Postage Paid
BBB Shredding Event
October 1, 2016
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bring up to 3 boxes or bags of documents for
secure shredding to these locations:
Wickliffe
29257 Anderson Rd.
Westlake
27051 Detroit Rd.
AUGUST 2016