Serving 14 counties in northwest Florida March 2009

Published for BBB® Accredited Businesses

LIGHTHOUSE

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®

February LighthouSe .........................................................................1torch award For MarketpLace ethicS .................................1ABOUT YOUR BBB .........................................................................2Lighting the way ...................................................................................2JuSt For Fun..............................................................................................2BBB NEwS .......................................................................................3bbb advertiSing review report ................................................3give eMpLoyeeS a booSt in their paycheck .......................3Cover Florida heaLth acceSS prograM...............................3Fact or Fiction .......................................................................................3FOUNdATION FOcUS ................................................................... 4out and about ....................................................................................... 4torch award SponSorShip ........................................................... 4BBB NEwS .......................................................................................5bbb LauncheS bbb trustbrieF ....................................................5

Finding a reputabLe tax preparer ..........................................5happy anniverSary..............................................................................5StiMuLuS aidS SMaLL buSineSSeS .................................................5AccREdITATION NEwS ............................................................... 6new accredited buSineSSeS ......................................................... 6FOR THE REcORd ..........................................................................7giving buSineSS a bad naMe ..........................................................7unSatiSFactory reportS .................................................................7MiLitary twiSt on vehicLe SaLeS ScaM ..................................7BBB NEwS .......................................................................................8torch award For MarketpLace ethicS ................................8cuStoMer Service exceLLence award ..................................8Student ethicS SchoLarShip ........................................................8SiLent auction .........................................................................................8

IN THIS ISSUE

February lighthousedid you miss the lighthouse last month? your bbb sent out the lighthouse electronically. as your bbb is constantly looking to find the best use of your accreditation fees, our plans are to send the lighthouse electronically every month and only print the newsletter every other month to reduce printing and postage costs. to view the February lighthouse online, please go to nwfl.bbb.org/Lighthouse. if you did not receive an e-mailed copy, please contact us with an updated e-mail address at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or info@nwfl.bbb.org.

torch awardsit’s a race to the finish line as we approach the deadline for nominations and entries for the torch award for Marketplace ethics, the customer Service excellence award and the Student ethics Scholarship.

Self nominations are encouraged and bbb accreditation is not required to enter. all entries must be postmarked by Friday, March 27. For benefits of being a torch award winner, please see page 8.

we like to recognize and thank our current sponsors for the 2009 torch award:

Bronze ($500)

All Pro Sound Allied waste Industries Hixardt Technologies, Inc. Pen Air Federal credit Union

For more information on promotional opportunities available as a sponsor, please see page 4 or visit www.nwfl.bbb.org/torchaward.

to pledge a sponsorship, contact your bbb at 850.429.0026 or 1.800.729.9226 or e-mail info@nwfl.bbb.org.

about your bbb

Main Office912 e. gadsden St.

pensacola, FL 32501850.429.0026 member line

850.429.0006 fax 800.729.9226 toll free

info@nwfl.bbb.org | bbb.org

Editorial Staff:

norman wright, bbb president/ceo

Mike cook and tammy Fowler, advertising review

karen Szulczewski, communications director

robin pittman, communications intern

your better business bureau of northwest Florida encourages you to contact bbb with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist the bbb in fulfilling its function of improving our economic system through informed decision making. lighthouse is a monthly publication produced by the better business bureau of northwest Florida, inc. and the better business bureau Foundation of northwest Florida, inc., 912 e. gadsden Street, pensacola, FL 32501.

what we Stand FordirectorsExecutive committee

chairperson ted kirchharr

Landrum companies

Vice chair bill Moats

regions bank

Secretary calvin wilson

gulf power

Treasurer will clause

Southern breeze one hour a/c & heating

Legal counsel robert beasley

Litvak, beasley & wilson LLc

Past chair Mike grossman

cox communications

directors

Fran crumpton gulf coast trade exchange

david delgallo advanced construction Services

Steve Fifer State Farm insurance

Sparkie Folkers retired

alan Moore Fisher-brown insurance

randy o’connor Fresh creative

robert richardson era Legacy reality

don Schroeder wpnn aM 790

gary Sluder gene’s Floor covering

Jeff vannoy vannoy’s tires

belie williams the villas at gulf breeze

John williams John williams construction

greg yordon beltone hearing center -

panama city

Lighting the wayby: norman wright

Spring is in the air and we have a lot going on at your bbb. we are continuing to get ready for this year’s torch award for Marketplace ethics, customer Service excellence award and Student ethics Scholarship. we are continuing to take nominations and entries for the awards. all entries are due by 2 p.m., Friday, March 27.

we would like to thank our current sponsors for this year’s torch award: All Pro Sound, Allied waste Industries, Hixardt Technologies, Inc. and Pen Air Federal credit Union. you can still become a sponsor for this year’s torch award. to see the benefits and sponsorship levels, please see page 4 in this lighthouse.

also on March 27, your bbb will once again be partnering with gilmore Services and wear-tv 3 for a free shredding event. come by university Mall in pensacola or Santa rosa Mall in Mary esther on Friday, March 27 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. for free document shredding (up to 50 pounds) and for information on protecting yourself from identity theft.

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we do this by:• creating a community of trustworthy businesses

• Setting standards for marketplace trust

• encouraging and supporting best practices

• recognizing marketplace role models

• denouncing substandard marketplace behavior

Just for funFrom actual calls to BBB

a consumer called while looking at a sign that read “For Sale by owner.” “Can you tell me the owner’s name and phone number?” he asked.

“i want to file a complaint against a tree service. they cut trees in my neighbor’s yard and did damage to my property.” we noted that our mail from the last complaint sent to the company’s address came back to us. “i can understand that,” the consumer told us. “the company owner is in jail. does the bbb have the address for the jail? i want the complaint sent to him there.”

a consumer called asking about a new hotel: “What does a single room with two beds in it cost?” we advised the consumer to contact the hotel to find out what their nightly rates were.

our Missionto be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.

our visionan ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

bbb advertising review reportadvertising review promotes truth in advertising. an “ad challenge” is made through your bbb’s regular monitoring efforts, while an “ad complaint” is the result of information provided by consumers or competitors. here are brief summaries of the ad review challenges and complaints we handled in February. we sincerely thank those businesses that cooperate with our self-regulation efforts. if you see a problem tv, radio or print ad, let us know about it at 850.429.0026 or toll-free at 800.729.9226.

bbb newS

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give employees a boost in their paycheckthe irS offers the advanced earned income tax credit (eitc) to help employees year round in meeting day-to-day expenses.

individuals who have at least one child living with them and who meet the following income guidelines may qualify. earned income and adjusted gross income (agi) must be less than:

•$38,646 ($41,646 married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children;

•$33,995 ($36,995 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child.

the maximum advance earned income tax credit for 2008 an employer is allowed to provide to employees pay is $1,750.

the qualified employee needs to complete Form w-5, available at www.irs.gov, and return it to the employer.

employers should not use their own funds to make advance eitc payments. employers should reduce the required federal employment tax deposit by the amount of any advance eitc payments made to eligible employees.

additional guidelines and qualifications can be found at www.irs.gov.

For additional information and advice you can trust on tax season issues, start with bbb.org.

Fact or FictionStimulus package mythsbe extremely cautious of companies that are offering “free” advice on how to get government grants. because of the recently passed stimulus package and other actions taken by president obama, web sites are claiming they can help consumers easily get government grants to pay bills or get out of debt. contrary to such claims, the federal government does not award grants to help consumers pay general debt and complaints to bbb show that people who sought free advice were ultimately charged as much as $69.95 every month.

immediately following the approval of the $787 billion stimulus package, web searches for the word “stimulus” returned sponsored link sites

like officialstimuluschecks.com. in addition to many news stories and web pages discussing the bill, ads for grant schemes used enticing testimonials such as, “i got my stimulus check in the mail in less than 30 days...”

before paying any money for assistance in earning government grants, bbb offers the following advice:

•while it’s true that the federal government does give out billions of dollars in grant money every year, most grants are given to help students pay for college or for specifically defined reasons such as for research or to businesses in particular industries.

•there’s no reason to pay for software or guides when applying for government grants. this information is already available free-of-charge on government web sites including: grants.gov, Studentaid.ed.gov, govbenefits.gov and sba.gov.

•always check out a business’ bbb reliability reporttM before giving out any bank account or credit card information. reports are available free at www.bbb.org.

For additional trustworthy information and advice you can trust, start with bbb.org.

complaint or challenge?

Business claim/complaint Outcome

challenge computers-Service & repair

bbb accredited business seal violation: phone book ad has bbb accreditated

business Seal; business is not bbb accredited

business agreed to remove seal in next publication

challenge auto dealers-new cars

bbb accredited business seal violation: business’ web site states bbb affiliation;

business is not bbb accredited.

business failed to respond. reliability report™ updated to reflect unanswered

ad challenge, bbb rating now an “F”

complaint golf course-public bait advertising and Selling: television advertisement stated price different than

price charged

business modified advertisement

Cover Florida health access programCover Florida was recently passed by Florida legislature in an effort to bring affordable health care coverage to Floridians.

the new program is provided without using tax dollars and instead is provided by six private insurance companies. it is voluntary for both individuals and employers.

Cover Florida provides 25 health insurance products that are affordable and are guaranteed to Floridians ages 19 to 64 who have been without health insurance for at least six months, even if there are pre-existing health conditions.

Floridians may also be eligible to purchase Cover Florida plans under the following conditions:

• Loss of a job that provided employer-sponsored health benefits.

• Loss of benefits under cobra.

• death of, or divorce from, a spouse who has provided employer-sponsored health benefits.

Cover Florida plans are portable from one employer to another because they are individual policies. employers may voluntarily share in the cost of the plan with their employees or may assist employees with a payroll deduction, providing a pre-tax benefit for the employee and a payroll tax break for the employer.

For more information on Cover Florida, please see www.coverfloridahealthcare.com.

For additional information and advice you can trust on insurance issues, start with bbb.org.

Foundation FocuSabout your bbb Foundation our Missionto support your bbb’s vision of an ethical marketplace through community education and recognition programs.

bbb Foundation trusteeschairman Jim cox

JLSc properties, LLc

Vice chairman Lori clause

the Studer group

Secretary/Treasurer will clause

Southern breeze one hour a/c & heating

counsel robert beasley

Litvak, beasley & wilson LLp

Past chairman gail thompson

Fireman termite & pest control

Trustees gary barnes

wal-Mart, creighton rd

Mike grossman cox communications

ted kircharr Landrum companies

randy o’connor Fresh creative

bill r. Moats, Jr. regions bank

dr. ed ranelli university of west

Florida

bobby taylor all pro Sound

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$5000 Presenting Sponsor:> Full page ad in torch award call for applicants/nominees, distributed

to bbb accredited businesses, media, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and individuals (must be received by Jan. 14 for inclusion)

> Five-minute opportunity to address audience as keynote speaker

> Logo recognition on torch award web page on bbb | northwest Florida web site

> Logo recognition in all torch award printed materials, programs, invitations and event signage

> premier recognition in all torch award advertising, marketing and promotional material

> premier recognition in the Lighthouse, circulation 2,600

> premier recognition in all media and press releases

> one complimentary table (eight people) reserved seating at torch award luncheon of your choice (pensacola, destin or panama city)

> verbal recognition of your sponsorship at torch award luncheons

$2500 Gold Sponsor:> ½ page ad in torch award call for applicants/nominees, distributed

to bbb accredited businesses, media, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and individuals (must be received by Jan. 14 for inclusion)

> recognition on torch award web page on bbb | northwest Florida web site

> recognition in all torch award printed materials, programs, invitations and event signage

> recognition in all torch award advertising, marketing and promotional material

> recognition in the Lighthouse, circulation 2,600

> recognition in all media and press releases

> Four complimentary passes and reserved seating at torch award luncheon of your choice

> verbal recognition of your sponsorship at torch award luncheons

$1000 Silver Sponsor:> recognition on torch award web page on bbb | northwest Florida web

site

> recognition in the Lighthouse, circulation 2,600

> recognition on torch award event program and signage

> two complimentary passes to torch award luncheon of your choice

> verbal recognition of your sponsorship at torch award luncheons

$500 Bronze Sponsor:> recognition on torch award web page on bbb | northwest Florida web

site

> recognition in the Lighthouse, circulation 2,600

> recognition on torch award event program

> two complimentary passes to torch award luncheon of your choice

> verbal recognition of your sponsorship at torch award luncheon

bbb Foundation oF northweSt FLorida #ch15989 a copy oF the oFFiciaL regiStration and FinanciaL inForMation May be obtained FroM the diviSion oF conSuMer ServiceS by caLLing toLL-Free (800-435-7352) within the State. regiStration doeS not iMpLy endorSeMent, approvaL, or recoMMendation by the State

BBB Foundation thanks our current Education Sponsor:

torch award Sponsorship

your bbb out and about

Bronze ($500)All Pro Sound

Allied waste IndustriesHixardt Technologies, Inc.

Pen Air Federal credit Union

karen Szulczewski presents scams against seniors at the council on aging in deFuniak Springs, Fla.

BBB Foundation thanks our Torch Award Sponsors:

Stimulus aids small businesses the recently-passed american recovery and reinvestment act will benefit small businesses nationwide. your bbb offers a summary on some items in the stimulus package that may benefit local businesses:

Small Business Financing

the u.S. Small business administration will receive $730 million from the stimulus package to help assist businesses

with financing and will be divided among many programs including:

• $375 million for temporary fee reductions or eliminations on Sba loans

• $255 million for a new loan program to help small businesses

• $30 million to expand Sba’s Microloan program, finance up to $50 million in new lending and $24 million in technical assistance to microlenders.

For complete details on how the u.S. Small business administration will use the new funding and how small businesses can benefit, go to www.sba.gov.

Small Business Tax Breaks

• Qualified property expense increased. the ceiling on the Section 179 tax break has been increased from $133,000 to $250,000 in the first year that qualifying assets are placed in service.

• bonus depreciation extended. businesses will be able to take an additional bonus depreciation expense of up to 50 percent of the cost of newly assets.

• Loss carry back expanded. only available to companies with sales less than $15 million, a business which incurs operating losses in tax years ending after december 31, 2007, can offset such losses against income earned in previous years and obtain a refund on previously paid taxes. Losses can now be carried back for five years instead of two.

• vehicle depreciation expense increased. the depreciation expense for passenger vehicles in their first year of service—limited only to those placed into service in 2009—was increased from $2,960 to $10,960. Light trucks and vans increased from $3,160 to $11,160.

For additional information and advice you can trust, start with bbb.org or for additional details, visit www.recovery.gov.

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bbb newSbbb launches bbb trustbriefbbb recently launched the bbb trustbrief, a free weekly e-newsletter designed to help businesses stay on top of the news and get insider tips that matter most to them. a sample of the bbb trustbrief was sent via e-mail to all our accredited businesses for whom we had e-mail addresses. it is another way bbb is helping accredited businesses, and those interested in learning more about building and maintaining trust within the marketplace. although our main target for the bbb trustbrief is our accredited businesses, anyone may sign up to receive it as well. Sign up for the free newsletter at www.smartbrief.org/bbb.

if you did not receive the e-mail, please contact us at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or info@nwfl.bbb.org with an updated e-mail address.

Finding a reliable tax prepareras many americans are scrambling to file their taxes, your bbb offers advice in searching for a tax preparer.

bbb suggests starting the process of selecting a tax preparer now to avoid being victimized by a less-than-reputable preparer.

when the irS detects a false return, the taxpayer, not the tax preparer, must pay any additional taxes, interest, fees and penalties. in the end, the taxpayer is responsible for all information submitted to the irS.

however, there are many tax preparers who provide quality services to their clients. bbb offers the following advice when searching for help with taxes:

• Ask around. get referrals from satisfied clients and check out a free reliability report™ on any business you are considering at www.bbb.org.

• Look for credentials. ideally, tax preparers should be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney or an enrolled agent; all can represent taxpayers before the irS in all matters, including an audit. ask if the preparer is part of a professional organization that holds its members to a code of ethics.

• don’t fall for the promise of a big refund. be wary of any tax preparation service that promises larger refunds than the competition, and avoid any tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund.

• Think about accessibility. Many tax preparation services only set up shop for the months leading up to april 15. if the irS finds errors, or in case of an audit, consumers need to be able to contact their tax preparer throughout the year.

• Read the contract and know what you’re paying for. read tax preparation service contracts closely to ensure you understand the cost for the service, how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected and whether the tax preparer will represent the consumer in case of an audit.

For additional information and advice you can trust this tax season, start with bbb.org.

happy anniversary15 Years

american air conditioning & heating, inc ................................................. pensacolaFerriss Moving & Storage company, inc ..................................................... pensacola

10 Years

advanced tires and Service center .........................................................................pacechateau Motel .................................................................................................. panama cityholley-king Lakes resort .................................................................... defuniak Springsknology of panama city, inc ....................................................................... panama cityStuart’s Superior transmission ....................................................................... pensacolawalton county chamber of commerce ...................................... Santa rosa beach

5 Years

blue water pools ............................................................................... Saint george islandemerald coast Smiles by design, pa ........................................................... pensacolaFloor city uSa, LLc ............................................................................................ pensacolaFraming by design of pensacola, inc ........................................................... pensacolahealth First network ........................................................................................... pensacolahome instead Senior care ................................................................................ pensacolaJansen Quality construction inc .................................................................... pensacolawpnn aM 790/cnn radio.............................................................................. pensacola

cANTONMENT

First choice Lawn & Landscaping

2660 Southern oaks dr 850 479-3574Mark Franklin

FORT wALTON BEAcH

alpha restoration & construction, inc.

119 beal pkwy Se unit 103 850 243-7007Steven Lewis

r & J’s auto concepts, LLc11 beal pkwy Se Ste b

850 362-0170Jason hutchison

GULF BREEzE

beaches tanning Salon, LLc207 gulf breeze pkwy

850 934-9534katie cronin

NIcEVILLE

abbott real estate1400 30th St Ste b

850 897-8888charles abbott

bayou’s best atuo Sales, inc.400 John Sims pkwy w

850 279-6976Steve Majors

gulf view Sliders, LLc327 cedar ave S # 2

850 678-7080robert ellison

PANAMA cITY BEAcH

grantham professional Services557 n Lakeshore dr

850 234-8210robert grantham

Surfside Services, LLc208 azalea St 850 258-6027Joel Steinman

accreditation newSnew accredited businessesa business or practice cannot just “join” the bbb by paying dues. it must have a history of ethical practices and adhere to fair advertising and selling standards. we thank our new accredited businesses who are telling their customers and neighbors that they want to do their part to make their community a good place to do business and live, and that they believe in business self-regulation and consumer education. we urge fellow accredited businesses to support our new “partners” whenever possible when making purchases. new accredited businesses, thank you for your support and welcome aboard. these businesses meet bbb accreditation standards and were accepted during February 2009.

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PENSAcOLA

a1 web consulting25 e. wright St 850 417-7035Stan carver ii

allstate insurance agent ron Jones

1175 college blvd 850 478-7490

ron Jones

brumbaugh oil Ltd9511 holsberry rd Ste e

850 475-3652eugene brumbaugh

dr. kurt d Jones Md pa4616 n davis hwy

850 476-8979kurt d. Jones

Floor doctor2820 w Fairfield dr

850 777-4034Michael woolen

Shuford heating & air LLc6330 trent St 850 516-3411

robert “bobby” Shuford

Stone Mountain access Systems4600a Mccoy dr

850 444-9380Micah harrison

the pensacola voice213 e yonge St 850 434-6963Jacquelin Miles

watch Me designs1407 n 16th ave 850 438-4900tracey davis

PORT SAINT JOE

emerald coast plumbing, inc.151 commerce blvd # c

850 229-5354gary Stanley

SANTA ROSA BEAcH

grantham professional Services605 n co hwy 393 #163

850 267-3163robert grantham

the paint booth body Shop140 don bishop rd

850 267-2211edward Morrissey

are you making your accreditation work for you?Get the most out of your BBB Accreditation

are you getting the most out of your bbb accreditation? are you putting your accredited business status to work for you?

Many of our accredited businesses are already advertising in local publications and other media outlets. but many aren’t including their accredited business status in their advertising.

what better way to differentiate yourself from your competitors than by proudly displaying the accredited business seal (see left)?

as we see accredited businesses who are advertising, but not including the seal, we try to contact them to encourage them to promote their elite status. but don’t wait for us to call!

if you’d like help incorporating the bbb accredited business seal into your ad or if you need electronic versions of the seal, please call our office at 850.429.0026 or 800.729.9226 or e-mail info@nwfl.bbb.org.

if you’re currently advertising and using the accredited business seal in your advertisements, send us a copy of the ad and we may use it as an example for other accredited businesses to

®

giving business a bad namedeceptive Auto-warranty Solicitationsyour bbb warns consumers to be extremely wary of telemarketing calls and mailers claiming their auto warranty has expired or is about to expire. bbb advises that the deceptive solicitations could persuade car owners to purchase an extended auto service contract of questionable value.

bbb has seen a spike in both complaints and inquiries from consumers over misleading mailers or telemarketing calls in reference to their auto warranty. in 2008, over 140,000 consumers across the country contacted their bbb to confirm the legitimacy of businesses.

“due to economic troubles, bbb is hearing from consumers who are being harassed by telemarketers and mailers trying to scare them into thinking their auto warranty has expired or will shortly expire,” said norman wright, president and ceo of your bbb. “in lying to consumers about their coverage, they are potentially ignoring federal laws.”

consumers were told they needed to take immediate action to avoid a lapse in coverage. bbb research shows that the consumer is actually being sold an extended service contract.

the value of the various extended service contracts has been called into question, such as conditions being difficult to meet. For instance, pre-existing conditions often are not covered and proof of maintenance records is often required.

bbb offers the following advice for dealing with a firm selling extended service contracts:

• never give personal information, including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers over the phone to an unknown telemarketer.

• before signing a contract or providing payment information, insist on getting a contract first, in which all terms and conditions are clearly explained.

• read your auto manufacturer’s warranty and contact your dealer or manufacturer so that you are not purchasing duplicate coverage.

• before purchasing warranty coverage, check the business’ free bbb reliability reporttM at bbb.org.

• consumers can place their phone number on the federal do not call list by visiting www.donotcall.gov. if the consumer is already on the list but continues to receive calls, he or she can use the same web site to report the incident to the Ftc.

For additional information and advice you can trust, start with bbb.org.

For the record

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unsatisfactory reportsBased on experience reflected in BBB filesin each issue of the lighthouse, your bbb publishes the names of businesses that have been notified of unsatisfactory business performance records since our last posting. while our complaint mediation service is provided, there is no legal requirement for businesses to respond to complaints or advertising challenges that have been filed by or through the bbb. the publication of these names is not intended to imply wrongdoing on the part of any business.

huddle house .................................................................................................... crawfordville

beal parkway Lincoln-Mercury-volvo ............................................Fort walton beach

Steve calhoun’s roofing, inc ..........................................................................Mary esther

tito’s tire Service ................................................................................................Mary esther

in vogue photography .................................................................................................... pace

a-1 transmission & auto air .......................................................................... panama city

bay auto recovery, inc ................................................................................... panama city

wholesale new - era ....................................................................................... panama city

ace plumbing and drain .......................................................................................pensacola

angelic images ........................................................................................................pensacola

bryant’s recyclers ..................................................................................................pensacola

J. Miller’s Furniture, inc (nine Mile rd) ...........................................................pensacola

idM, inc .............................................................................................................. port Saint Joe

Shalimar gardens ...................................................................................................... Shalimar

door works ..........................................................................................................youngstown

Military twist on vehicle sales scam

the Fbi continues to receive reports of individuals victimized while attempting to purchase vehicles via

the internet. victims find attractively priced vehicles advertised at different internet classified ad sites. Most of the scams include some type of third-party

vehicle protection program to ensure a safe transaction. after receiving convincing e-mails from the phony vehicle protection program, the victims are directed to send either the full payment, or a percentage of

the payment, to the third-party agent via a wire payment service. no vehicles are delivered to the victims.

in a new twist, scammers are posing as members of the united States military. the fictitious military personnel in the scam claim to have either been sent to a foreign country to improve military relations, or that they need to sell a vehicle quickly and cheaply because of their upcoming deployment to either iraq or afghanistan.

consumers are advised to do as much due diligence as possible before engaging in transactions to purchase vehicles advertised online. consumers are also cautioned to be aware of the rules of or warnings posted by the internet sites they visit. if someone is asking a consumer to break or avoid the rules of the web site, it is possible that person is trying to scam you.

if you have fallen victim to this type of scam, please notify the ic3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.

For additional information and advice you can trust on safe shopping online, start with bbb.org.

postmaster Send address changes to:

bbb Foundation of northwest Florida

912 e. gadsden St.pensacola, FL 32501

bbb newS

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better business bureau® Foundationof northwest Florida, inc.912 e. gadsden Streetp.o. box 1511pensacola, FL 32591

nonproFit orguS poStage pdpenSacoLa, FLperMit no. 681

LIGHTHOUSE

Mark your calendarUPcOMING EVENTS:

MARcH

March 4, Noon - 1 p.m.protecting yourself from id theft, Small business development center

March 5, 4 - 7 p.m.okaloosa county chamber business expo, emerald coast conference center

March 19, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.Senior expo, Milton community center

March 27, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.bbb, gilmore Services, wear-

tv Shredding event, university

Mall, pensacola ANd Santa rosa

Mall, Mary esther

APRIL

April 49 a.m. - 2 p.m.gulf breeze annual business expo, gulf breeze recreation center do you belong to an organization that would be interested in a presentation from the bbb? Please contact Karen szulczewski at 850.429.0026, 800.729.9226 or karens@nwfl.bbb.org.

®

Last call for award entriesyour better business bureau Foundation of northwest Florida is currently accepting nominations and entries for the 2009 torch award for Marketplace ethics.

Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics

the torch award recognizes businesses and charities that insist on exceptionally high standards of behavior in dealing with customers, vendors and employees.

to be considered for the 2009 torch award, a business or 501 (c)(3) charity must have been in business for at least one year with the same ownership and may not hold an “F” rating with your bbb. bbb accreditation is not required to enter, however, applicants must be physically located within the bbb|northwest Florida’s service area.

Benefits for Torch Award winners:

• winners will be recognized at the torch award luncheons where they will receive a personalized crystal trophy that can be displayed in their offices.

• winners will receive the torch award logo and details on how to promote their status as a winner in advertising, marketing and web sites.

• being named a torch award winner by bbb adds to an organization’s prestige, confirming the confidence placed in it by its stakeholders.

customer Service Excellence Award

your bbb Foundation’s customer Service excellence award recognizes employees who go above and beyond in their customer service activities.

any business may nominate employees for the customer Service excellence award by providing specific examples of how the individual has provided excellent customer service beyond what may be required by his or her job.

Student Ethics Scholarship

a total of nine high school students will be named as bbb Student ethics Scholarship winners and will receive $1,000 scholarships for their commitment to ethical behavior and personal integrity. high school juniors and seniors within bbb|northwest Florida’s service area may apply for the scholarship.

Local leaders from business and academia will serve as judges and award the scholarships based on criteria including leadership, community service, academic achievement and an essay response on building character.

the application deadline for all awards is March 27. award recipients will be recognized at a series of luncheons to be held in May.

For entry forms and suggestions for completing an entry or nomination for the awards, please visit www.nwfl.bbb.org/torchaward or call 850.429.0002 or 1.800.729.9226.