Your Moment of Trust

Online shopping is growing, which means online returns are increasing, too. However, policies and processes vary from store to store. Figuring out how to get your item back to the seller and your refund in the bank isn't always easy. To make the process as smooth as possible, BBB recommends tips for returning online merchandise. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for spon...

With the rising prices of gas and seemingly everything else, restaurants, travel companies, rideshares, and other businesses are tacking on new fees to the basic costs of their services. Businesses are feeling inflation impacts just as the rest of us are, and some are adding fees to help them survive. Consumers should be aware of what fees businesses are adding, so they can make informed decisions...

Buying and selling a home is a major decision, so be sure to choose a real estate agent who will guide you through the process. Look for an agent or broker who is experienced, knowledgeable about your housing market, and always acts in your best interest. Listen to the tips in this episode as a guide. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs for sponsoring this podcast.

Welcome to this week's edition of Your Moment of Trust! Inflation is higher than it has been since the 1980s in both the United States and Canada. With prices rising on everything from gas to groceries to housing costs, how can you buy what you need and still stay on budget? Inflation is impacting every household. The same amount of money buys less than it did just months ago, so paychecks don't g...

From the BBB of the Tri-Counties:  Scammers are taking advantage of new deepfake technology to create videos so convincing that people hand over their money. This latest con looks like business magnate Elon Musk endorsing an investment plan, but the video is fake, and the investment is a scam.  A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for sponsoring Your Moment of Trust.  

Welcome to this week's edition of Your Moment of Trust from BBB of the Tri-Counties: If you've ever needed extra cash to tide you over to your next paycheck, you understand the appeal of a payday loan. Now, video ads on places like TikTok are promoting small, short-term loans to a new, young audience – and making them seem cheap and easy. However, just because it looks simple, doesn't mean it is....

June is National Homeownership Month, an opportunity for U.S. residents to reflect on the importance of the home and its role in their lives. With a median asking price of $225,500 for a home, becoming a homeowner takes dedication, patience and smart budgeting. For many first-time homebuyers, closing the deal on their purchase is a time of celebration and gratitude. While moving furniture and soli...

People from all walks of life who set financial goals - and reach them - generally have one thing in common: a budget. According to this recent study, people are budgeting more than ever before. Budgeting is a practical way to stay in charge of your money - even when life gets unpredictable. Having a budget means knowing exactly how much is coming in and going out each month and planning where and...

This year's housing market is competitive. Prices are up, and houses are selling fast. If you are looking to buy a new home, you need to be prepared. Prospective buyers can make their offer more competitive by getting preapproved for financing before even bidding on a house. This lets sellers know that a buyer is serious and provides reassurance that the sale will close without issues. That means...

Welcome to this week's edition of Your Moment of Trust! Shortages in the supply of baby formula are leading new moms to find other ways of finding the much-needed item--and risking themselves to potential online scams. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it is taking proactive measures to increase supply to help ease the shortage. According to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, onl...

Securing today's online environment goes beyond thinking about the Wi-Fi router at home - and it all starts with a password. Passwords should be different for every account that lives online, is in the cloud, or is attached to something that retains personal or financial information. Think about the last time any of your online account passwords were changed. If they are all the same or a similar...

From BBB of the Tri-Counties:  Asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems when inhaled. Even brief exposure has been known to cause me sothelioma. Ifyou live in an older home, you could be at risk. Asbestos repair or removal may be necessary to protect you and your family's health.  Here's what you need to know should you suspect your home has an asbestos problem. A BIG thank you to Ayers A...

Your Moment of Trust, from BBB of the Tri-Counties: Using green cleaning products in your home can reduce toxins, such as volatile organic compounds that are bad for your health and the environment. Green cleaners are more popular than ever, which means shoppers have plenty of choices. But navigating the seals, certifications, and marketing claims can be confusing. Here are tips for choosing clean...

In the past few weeks, BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports of a text message scam that attempts to trick people with the promise of a "free gift." How the scam works: You receive a text message that says something like this: "Your bill is paid for March. Thanks, here's a little gift for you." This message is followed by a link to an unfamiliar website. The text doesn't specify what bill...

Gardening season is finally here! You may be envisioning all the herbs, flowers, and vegetables you'll harvest at the end of the season. But you'll need to put in hard work – not to mention money – to make your dream garden a reality. In this episode, BBB of the Tri-Counties gives tips to make a success of your garden and stay on budget. A BIG thank you Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara, f...

Do-it-yourself is an attractive way to save money on home improvement projects. Home centers stay busy each spring with people looking to improve their home and yard. Whether you are remodeling your home, making needed repairs, or sprucing things up to put your house on the market, the following tips will help make your next home improvement project a success. This podcast is brought to you by BBB...

Scam websites often have very similar URLs and can look nearly identical to the real website. Watch out for red flags before entering your personal or payment information. Scammers are always creating new and improved lookalike websites to trick you out of your personal information and money. These websites may have a very similar URL or look nearly identical to the real website you are searching...

In this episode BBB of the Tri-Counties gives advice for evaluating trade in offers and finding the best deal for your old phone. If you are shopping for a new cell phone, trading it in with your carrier is an easy and enticing option. You get rid of your old phone and receive a significant discount on the latest model. Sounds like a perfect solution! But carrier trade-ins aren't your only option...

If you recently purchased a new home, you've no doubt found that all that extra space requires upkeep and maintenance. BBB recommends the following tips to help you care for your new home, hire contractors, and avoid getting scammed in the process. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara for sponsoring Your Moment of Trust.

Grocery aisles have gaping empty sections, and shoppers can never predict what's going to be unavailable. New car dealerships struggle to fill their empty lots. People building homes report long waits for critical materials like windows and doors. Almost every industry has shortages and delays that all boil down to supply chain issues. Consumers and business owners are frustrated and confused. COV...

When shopping for a team jersey or other sports memorabilia, watch out for fakes. Scammers know that authentic game-used and/or autographed items can fetch big bucks – especially for items commemorating big games.  When shopping online, it can be hard to trust that a seller or product is genuine. In this episode, BBB of the Tri-Counties gives tips for buying sports memorabilia.  A BIG thank you to...

Sometimes you need extra cash to tide you over to payday. Several apps are eager to provide that service, marketing themselves as an easy, no-interest way to get a small loan. However, not all cash advance apps were created equal. Before signing up for one, research it first and watch out for hidden fees and other pitfalls. A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for sponsorin...

Scams are designed to either steal your money, or steal your identity in order to steal your money later. Scammers have all kinds of techniques to collect personally identifiable information. Once they have it, they can effectively become you, using your identity to open accounts, file taxes, or obtain medical coverage. Don't miss this important episode so you'll know the steps to take to protect...

Better Business Bureau is ringing in 2022 with tips to help people avoid falling prey to overstated weight loss advertisements and scams. The desire to get in shape or lose weight fast creates a risk of being deceived by products that do not work as advertised, come with a host of unwanted side effects, or cause weight gain instead.  A BIG thank you to BBB of the Tri-Counties for sponsoring Your M...