data storage
BBB Talking Points – Social Media Scams
Be wary of online messages Do some research Press for details Report suspicious activity to Facebook. Intro: Plenty of people who are connected to the internet are catching up with friends on social media or randomly surfing the web. Unfortunately, so are scammers. Here to offer tips on protecting yourself on social media from your…
Read MoreChoosing the Right Solar Company
The solar industry has grown tremendously in the last 10 years, and Texas ranked second in the nation for solar growth in 2019. Solar energy promises consumers lower bills, tax incentives and an increase in home value, making it a tempting option for homeowners. Spring is the most popular time for solar panel installation, which…
Read More4 Crucial Things to Keep In Mind While Expanding Your Business
Running a business successfully is an amazing experience. There’s nothing quite like putting in the work and seeing your company thrive. However, sometimes there’s a limit to how much a business can do at its starting size. If you’ve hit this limit, you’re probably thinking about expanding. The Padre Island Business Association is always proud…
Read MoreGovernment Impostor Scams
BBB Column It is no secret that COVID-19 has brought confusion along with concern. This confusion provides opportunities for scammers to target consumers in new, creative ways. A recent study from BBB shows that reports on government impostor scams have decreased, but the pandemic has allowed for these scams to take new forms that may…
Read MoreThe Collapse of the Soviet Union
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union. President Reagan has rightfully received a lot of credit for ending the “Cold War” with Russia. Based on my reading, Gorbachev deserves at least equal credit. By 1989 when the Soviet Union disintegrated, the Communist Party had been the absolute ruler of…
Read MoreStudent ID Theft
BBB Tips for College Students on Avoiding Fraud BBB Column College students are returning to campus for the start of the semester, and with confusion surrounding new COVID-19 procedures, they may not be thinking about protecting their identities. Students are becoming more susceptible to fraud, which means educating children and young adults on financial literacy…
Read MoreScammers Use Dating Apps to Launder CARES Money
BBB Column The CARES Act, which was passed into law in late March, has been providing financial relief to consumers and businesses across the country. With money being moved into the economy, scammers are looking to profit at the expense of the everyday consumer. BBB has received reports of consumers being targeted over dating apps…
Read MoreAvoiding Tax Identity Theft
BBB Column Tax season is upon us, and you have until April 15 to file your return. Scammers are also busy during tax season, hoping to steal money you earned. How will you know your tax return has been taken from you? When you go to file, you’ll get a written notice from the IRS…
Read MoreThe Information Age
The Information Age began in the year 2000. First, in human history we had the “Hunter-Gatherer Age” which continued for hundreds of thousands of years until about 10,000 years ago when the “Agriculture Age” began. That was followed by the “Industrial Age” beginning about 200 years ago. So far, I am under-whelmed by the “Information…
Read MoreAvoiding Advance Fee Loan Scams this Holiday Season
Avoiding Advance Fee Loan Scams this Holiday Season December is here, and consumers are preparing for the holidays. The season has become known for being hectic and stressful, as people travel to see family and attempt to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones without breaking the bank. It can also be a time…
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