The Laker/Lutz News

Better Business Bureau

Scammers targeting online DMV services

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scammers who are fooling people through websites that look like those used by state departments of motor vehicles.

The scammers are exploiting the opportunity created by an increasing number of people who are turning to online offerings from state DMVs, during this time of COVID-19, according to information provided by the BBB.

They are using these lookalike websites to steal money and personal information, according to reports filed by consumers on BBB.org/ScamTracker.

Here’s how the scam works: You need to change your car’s title, get a Real ID, or perform another service that you would normally do at your local DMV. Instead, you visit what you think is the DMV website to learn about their new COVID-19 procedures. Your state may now allow you to complete the transaction online, or you may need to schedule an in-person appointment through the DMV website.

Before you enter any personal or payment information, double check the site’s URL to make sure it’s the real deal.

Also, be sure to make online purchases with your credit card. Fraudulent charges made on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be the case with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared, the release says.

There’s also a similar scam involving change of address services.

If you have been the victim of this or another scam, you can help make others aware by filing a report on BBB.org/ScamTracker.

Published October 28, 2020

Some news you can use

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Prevent the spread
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

Source: Florida Department of Health

Get lawn and garden advice
Working on the yard? Expert advice for lawn or garden issues is now just a click away thanks to new Virtual Plant Clinics with UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service. Meet online with a master gardener on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at bit.ly/pascoplantclinic. Master Gardeners can help with pest identification, weed control, spring growing tips and more.

Don’t cause plumbing headaches
If you’re using wipes to clean surfaces in your home and office, be sure not to flush them.

Flushing wipes, even those labeled as “flushable,” can create a costly plumbing mishap in your home later. Visit HCFLGov.net/DontFlush for more information.

Food pickup points
The YMCAs of the Tampa Bay are teaming up with community partners to feed families and fight food insecurity during these unprecedented times. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg are working with Feeding Tampa Bay, local school districts and other organizations to help provide fresh food to families across Greater Tampa Bay.

FEEDING TAMPA BAY MOBILE PANTRY
Anyone can receive a free pre-packaged box of groceries in a drive-thru type model.
Mondays, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the James P. Gills Family YMCA, 8411 Photonics Drive, Trinity.

PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS
School buses deliver free bags of food, which include breakfast and lunch for five days for each student.
East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For additional food pickup locations and information, visit the Pasco County Schools website (Pasco.k12.fl.us) and the Hillsborough County Schools website (SDHC.k12.fl.us).

Top scams
Con artists are trying to take advantage of the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Better Business Bureau urges you to protect yourself from these common scams:

  • Phony cures and fake masks: The BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports of people receiving emails and messages claiming that, for a price, they can buy products the government is supposedly keeping secret – ways to prevent or cure coronavirus. Medical experts are working hard to find a coronavirus vaccine, but none currently exists.
  • Economic impact payment (Stimulus Check) scams
    As soon as stimulus packages were announced and approved, scammers quickly got to work sending out fake economic impact checks and asking consumers to pay fees to get their money earlier than what the IRS has promised. These claims are false and open consumers to the risk of identity theft and outright theft of the funds in their bank account.
  • Phishing Scams
    As more people work from home, con artists have stepped up phishing scams. They may claim to be from an official department of the employer to offer IT support or claim the company issued computer has a virus. They may use scare tactics, stating the computer will crash if you don’t act immediately, all in an attempt to gain access to your computer remotely, or to your personal or company’s information.
  • Government Impersonation
    Another common phishing scam brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is fake emails and text messages claiming the government needs you to take an “online coronavirus test” by clicking a link they provide. No such test currently exists, but if you click on the link, scammers can download malware onto your computer and gain access to your sensitive personal information.
  • Employment Scams
    Many people are looking for work online in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns. Fraudsters find ways to take advantage of this by posting phony work-from-home jobs promising remote work with good pay and no interview required. These cons often use real company names and can be convincing.

After you are “hired,” the company may charge you upfront for “training.” You may need to provide your personal and banking information to run a credit check or set up direct deposit. You may be “accidentally” overpaid with a fake check, and asked to deposit the check and wire back the difference. Or, you are asked to buy expensive equipment and supplies to work at home.

  • Shortage Scams (price gouging)
    Supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks and toilet paper are selling out in stores across the U.S. and Canada. Scammers take advantage of this situation and stockpile items in high demand. Then, they seek out potential clients, online and in person, and sell the products at extremely high prices. Price gouging is illegal and high demands for products can lead to con artists selling products that are used, defective or otherwise mishandled. In some cases, scammers will con people out of their money by accepting payments for products that don’t exist.

This has been an issue with face masks. Masks are sold out in most local stores and major online sellers. Instead, consumers are turning to unfamiliar online shops. Unfortunately, phony sellers abound. These scam online retailers take shoppers’ money – as well as personal information – and never deliver the masks.

Prevent mosquitoes
As people spend more time at home and outdoors, during the pandemic, these tips from Hillsborough County’s Management Services, may be useful. Following them can help reduce the population of mosquitoes on a property, and reduce the potential for being bit. Here are the pointers:

  • Empty water containers at least once per week
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
  • Properly apply an approved repellent, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or any other EPA-registered repellent

For more information about mosquito protection and breeding prevention, visit HCFLGov.net/Mosquito.

These websites offer a wealth of information:
Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com
North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce: NorthTampaBayChamber.com
Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce: GreaterPasco.com
Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce: ZephyrhillsChamber.org
Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce: DadeCityChamber.org
Hillsborough County government: HillsboroughCounty.org
Pasco County government: PascoCountyFl.net
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC.gov
Florida Department of Health: FloridaHealthCovid19.gov
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: FloridaJobs.org
U.S. Small Business Administration: SBA.gov
Pasco County Schools: Pasco.k12.fl.us
Hillsborough County Schools: SDHC.k12.fl.us

Published April 15, 2020

If a hurricane hits, what would your business do?

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Residents aren’t the only ones who need to how to respond if water rises, high winds hit or other damage results from tropical storms, hurricanes or other emergencies.

Businesses also need a plan that will help them weather the storm, and resume their enterprise as quickly as possible.

Brian Ellis, an expert with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, offered some practical advice on how to deal with a disaster, during a recent Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce luncheon. (B.C. Manion)

Brian Ellis, disaster recovery coordinator for the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, recently shared his expertise on the topic at a Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, in Land O’ Lakes.

Planning ahead is essential, Ellis said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that nearly 40 percent of small businesses that closed after a disaster never reopened because they lacked a Business Continuity Plan and were unprepared to recover, Ellis told those gathered.

Additionally, he said that nearly one in four businesses can expect to experience a disruptive disaster, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To be resilient in the face of such threats, businesses need to prepare, respond and recover, he said.

Preparations should include:

  • An emergency communication plan, which includes: A staff text message/email; a method for reaching employees after hours; and, a single point of contact. Be sure to monitor the news, too, he said.

“Bad information is not what you want,” Ellis said.

  • When faced with a disaster: Be sure you have an evacuation plan, with escape routes. Establish a safe place — which may be at your home or in another location — for you to resume your business as quickly as possible. Can you operate in your parking lot?

Keep your customers informed, he said. “Put some information on Facebook. A sign on the door (of your business) can go a long way.”

Be sure your employees know their roles. “Does your staff know how to react when you’re not there?” Ellis asked.

  • Build resilience in your supply chain. If you need specific products or services to conduct your business, be sure you have secondary suppliers, in case your supplier runs out. Establish service level agreements with your suppliers so you will know what level of service you can expect, if problems arise.
  • Build alliances with others in a similar business. Establish a buddy system: You help them if they’re hit with a disaster; they help you if you’re hit with a disaster. You can lend each other staff; exchange reliable supplier information; and, share inventory.

Responding to a crisis:

  • Account for all employees after the disaster.
  • Gather accurate information after the storm, with boots on the ground.
  • Conduct a full evaluation of infrastructure and take safety measures.
  • Coordinate next steps to get the doors open.
  • Communicate with all parties involved.

Filing an insurance claim:

  • Immediately contact your insurance company.
  • Make sure your insurance company knows your temporary address and contact information.
  • Take photographs of damaged assets.
  • Leave damaged property where it is, until the adjuster has made an official report. Accompany the adjuster to point out damage during the inspection.
  • Make only repairs necessary to prevent further damage. Be aware that unauthorized repairs might not be covered.
  • Be careful in choosing contractors to make repairs. Hire only licensed contractors, who secure the appropriate building permits. (The Better Business Bureau warns you should be wary when hiring contractors after a disaster. Watch out for red flags, such as upfront cash-only payment options; contractors offering to use materials left over from another job – a common tactic of fly-by-night operators; high-pressure sales tactics; and missing contact information.)
  • If the settlement offered by the insurance company seems unfair, contact the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation by visiting FLOIR.com.

Identify lessons learned:

  • How did we improve communications?
  • Were we satisfied with the way technology was backed up and stored?
  • Did staff fully understand their roles during and after the disaster?
  • Were there delays in reopening? If so, why?
  • Are changes needed in our insurance policy?

Ellis also quoted former President John F. Kennedy, who observed, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining,” and famous inventor Benjamin Franklin, who said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Published June 05, 2019

She can’t beat the commute

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Melissa Huston used to spend 90 minutes each way, getting back and forth from work.

She lives in Lutz and was commuting to a job in St. Petersburg.

“It was debilitating, mentally,” Huston said. “There were days that were awful driving there.”

When Melissa Huston wants to get some work done, she steps into her home office to tackle assignments. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
When Melissa Huston wants to get some work done, she steps into her home office to tackle assignments.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

She and her husband, Doug, have two children. Tyler attends McKitrick Elementary School and Brandon is in preschool.

Besides getting stuck in traffic, Huston had the additional stress of not being sure she’d be able to pick up her children from child care on time.

“You’re trying to get to your kids at night, and you’re watching the clock and you’re sitting in it (traffic) — and God forbid, there’s an accident and you’re panicking.

“I don’t miss any of that,” said Huston, who has been working at home for Dell, since July 2013.

Huston had worked for Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg for many years and made the switch to a Tampa company, which announced that it was moving to St. Petersburg.

At the time, Tyler was getting ready to start kindergarten, and Huston decided she would look for a stay-at-home job.

“When they’re in preschool, they don’t have homework. They don’t have as many activities,” Huston said.

But she knew she wanted to be able to help with homework and attend school activities, and couldn’t think of a way to do that and still have a long commute.

So, she began looking for stay-at-home work opportunities.

She had heard about the scams involving work from home jobs.

“That was my big concern: Are they legitimate?” she said.

She had reason to worry.

The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to be skeptical when checking out work-at-home opportunities. Many of them require an upfront investment, and many fail to live up to their claims.

As Huston was researching stay-at-home jobs, she came across a website called FlexJobs.com.

The company, which is a 100 percent, virtual remote company, was founded in 2007 in Boulder, Colorado, by Sara Sutton Fall, according to Kathy Gardner, the company’s PR Manager, who is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

FlexJobs.com essentially offers a subscription service to provide information about available jobs to job seekers. The fees are $14.95 a month, $29.95 for three months and $69.95 for 12 months.

The job seekers, who are the company’s clients, pay the fee to gain access to its postings and are guaranteed that the site is 100 percent free of scams and advertisements, Gardner said.

Huston said the service helped her find her job.

FlexJobs.com has helped more than 1 million people in their job searches, Gardner said. And, according to a recent analysis of its data, it turns out that Florida ranks fourth in the nation for recruitment by companies for telecommuters, Gardner added.

Huston said the site offers listings on all types of jobs, ranging from contract work to part-time to full-time salaried positions.

Before signing up for the service, Huston said, she had not thought to look for a telecommuting opportunity on Dell’s website.

Huston, whose background is in marketing analytics, has the kind of job that lends itself to working remotely.

“My job is all computer-based,” she said. “There is some face-to-face talking, but it’s predominantly data driven.”

She works with a team stationed around the globe.

“We have the ability to share our screens. Through our instant messaging tool, we can share our desktops, so, if I’m looking at this and I want to explain something with this spreadsheet, I can share it.

“We utilize that a lot to talk through things.

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish,” she said.

Still, since they don’t share the same physical space, the working relationships that occur naturally in an office have to be nurtured, she said.

“You have to make an effort to stay connected with your colleagues,” Huston said.

Working from home is not for everyone, she noted.

The key to working at home, she said, is to establish a schedule.

“It can’t just be work whenever you feel like it, because this is a regular job. You have to establish a good routine of when you start your day and when you end it, too,” she said.

While some people working at home might tend to slack off, others may be too intense.

It’s easy to work 80 hours or more because you’re literally always at the office, she said.

It’s important to find a balance and to maintain it, Huston said.

There’s a lot to be said for being able to check on a project or share information after normal working hours by popping into your home office and spending 5 minutes to take care of a task, Huston said.

Besides having a regular work routine, it’s important to have a separate space designated for your office, she said. It’s important to be able to close the door and focus on work.

“It’s a corporate job. It is a big company. There are demands,” she said.

Huston loves being able to eliminate the long commute and focus on her work and family.

She’s been able to be involved in some volunteer work at McKitrick Elementary and she’s nearby, if there’s ever an emergency, she said.

In fact, she added, “my youngest, actually, broke his leg at his pre-school, and I was there in 2 seconds because it was around the corner.”

Working at home is not for everyone, Huston said. But she added: “For the place that I’m at in my life, it’s a good fit.”

Working at home is not for everyone
Melissa Huston, a Lutz mom who works at home, offers this advice for people who work at home:

  • Be sure to establish a routine.
  • Set up a separate office space — you need to be able to close the door, to work uninterrupted.
  • Be aware that while you have more flexibility, you still must meet work demands.
  • Know that working at home is not a good idea if you’re not a good time manager.
  • Be prepared to make an extra effort to stay in the loop with your colleagues.

The FTC’s advice for avoiding work-at-home scams
Of course, when it comes to business opportunities, there’s no such thing as a sure thing.

Promises of a big income for work from home, especially when the “opportunity” involves an upfront fee or divulging your credit card information, should make you very suspicious, advises a consumer protection article on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

It doesn’t matter where you saw the advertisement or heard about the offer, the FTC warns. Research the opportunity and be skeptical.

Here are some examples of work-at-home opportunities that often turn out to be scams:

  • Envelope stuffing: For a “small fee,” you can make lots of money stuffing envelopes at home, but it turns out that there’s no work and the only way you can earn any money is by persuading others to pursue the same envelope-stuffing opportunity.
  • Assembly or craft work: This promises that you can make money assembling crafts or other products at home. But first you have to invest money for equipment and supplies. Then, after you’ve spent lots of hours producing goods for a company that has promised to buy them, they reject your products because your work is “not up to standards.”
  • Rebate processing: The offer says you can earn money by helping to process rebates. Then it says the fee for training, certification or registration is nothing compared to what you’ll earn processing rebates from home. What you’ll receive are useless training materials and no rebates to process.
  • Online searches: This opportunity promises that you’ll ear $500 to $1,000 a week, or even up to $7,000 a month, by running Internet searches on prominent search engines and filling out forms. In this case, the scammers are not connected to well-known search engines. They’re trying to trick you into handing over credit or debit car information. If you pay even a tiny fee online, they can use your financial information to charge you recurring fees.
  • Medical billing: This offer promises a substantial income for full- or part-time work processing medical claims electronically — no experience needed. These opportunities often require a substantial investment for software, list of potential clients and technical support. But the software may not work, and the lists are often outdated. If you decide to pursue this type of opportunity, be sure to obtain a lengthy list of previous purchasers for references. Be wary if the list just has a couple of names on it, because they may be shills that have been hired to say good things.

Ask Questions

If you’re thinking about following up on a work-at-home offer, do your homework. Before pursuing a stay-at-home work opportunity, ask:

  • What tasks will I have to perform? Be sure you have a list of every step of the job.
  • Will I be paid a salary or paid on commission?
  • If the job involves purchasing some type of program, ask what is the basis for your claims about my likely earnings? What documents can you show me to prove your claims are true before I give you any money?
  • Who will pay me? When will I get my first paycheck?
  • What is the total cost of this work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?

Where to Complain

If you are unable to resolve a dispute with the company, you can file a complaint with:

  • The Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov/complaint
  • The Florida Attorney General’s Office
  • The Better Business Bureau
  • Local consumer protection offices

Published March 18, 2015

Rental scams are quickly on the rise

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Rental options are becoming more and more expensive, according to real estate website Zillow, and only 10 percent of the largest rental markets are now more affordable than they were before the housing market collapse.

More than a third of American households are renting, according to studies, and rental affordability continues to decline.

Officials with the Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Agency warn that renters need to be more cautious than ever when looking for rental homes in online classified advertisements. Often, they said, people responding to an online ad for rental properties are instructed to wire funds for a deposit in order to receive the keys.

When potential renters request to see the property first, the landlords claim they are out of the country and cannot show the home. Those landlords, officials said, use pictures posted online of homes for sale — not rent — to create a fake listing. Homeowners selling their homes have been shocked to have victims knock on their doors, intending to move into their new rental home.

The Better Business Bureau also suggests renters be on the lookout for these red flags:

  • Deals that sound too good to be true. Scammers often try to lure in victims by listing a rental for a very low price. Check the area for comparable listings, and if the price for the rental property looks suspiciously low, or anything else seems suspicious, walk away.
  • Out-of-the-country landlords. If a landlord is located out of the area and only wants to communicate by email claiming they’ve relocated for a job or missionary work, don’t believe it.
  • Request for a large deposit or upfront money, with no inspection of the property. Never pay any money before a home is thoroughly inspected inside and out.
  • Requests to wire money or send via MoneyGram or GreenDot. Never send money to anyone via wire transfer service, because it’s extremely difficult to retrieve — if not impossible — after the scammers have picked up the funds.
  • Request for personal information for a credit application. Never provide personal information to people online. It can be used to commit identity fraud and steal more money from victims. It is advisable to provide sensitive information only in person.

If anyone suspects a scam or that they were victimized in a scam, they can contact the Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Agency at (813) 903-3430.

Do your research before joining fun runs

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Fun runs are supposed to be exactly as they’re called, fun. But the Better Business Bureau has been receiving complaints about some fun runs around the country, where they are being cancelled with short notice, and often with no refunds.

Such an event was cancelled in Cleveland last July with only four days’ notice. Participants who prepaid received an email from the event saying that “unfortunately, we’re not able to provide you with a refund,” the BBB said, in a release. Those who paid up to $75 in registration fees wanted their money back, but it’s not clear if that will happen, especially since the organization running it has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Fun runs can be enjoyable and take place for a good cause. However, BBB offers some tips before committing to a fun run:

* Do you research. Check out the company’s BBB business review online, and search more about the group online before signing up.

• Understand the terms and conditions. In some cases, promoters say on their websites that they don’t offer refunds, but many consumers don’t read the fine print before hitting “I agree” to long online documents.

• Check the local venue. Contact the park or other venue to confirm that the event is scheduled.

• Pay with a credit card. Charges made on a credit card can be disputed after a purchase, whereas debit, cash or wire transfer transactions cannot.

• Keep documentation. After completing the online registration process, participants should receive a confirmation receipt. Print that out and keep a copy of the confirmation and any other supporting documentation for future reference.

• Check out the charity. Most fun runs are for-profit, but if the promoters claim a portion of the proceeds will go to charity, check it out on Give.org to make sure a donation is going to a trustworthy charity. Be wary of sound-alike names similar to more famous charities.

Businesses can avoid bitcoin extortion, BBB says

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Although the fad itself seems to be quieting down, the online currency bitcoin has allowed for the anonymous transfer of funds, but it’s also helped fuel a new type of outright extortion of some small businesses.

The Better Business Bureau reports that some small retailers and restaurants recently received letters threatening them with negative publicity, harassment, bomb threats and complaints to the BBB if they didn’t pay up with a bitcoin by an August deadline.

“It’s a bit flattering that the extortionists singled out BBB, but their threat is completely worthless,” said Mary Power, president and chief executive of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, in a release. “The first thing BBB does when we get a complaint is share it with the business and verify that the complainant is a real customer. If they are a customer, we help the business and the consumer work it out. IF they are not a customer, we don’t accept the complaint, and it has no bearing at all on the business’s BBB rating.”

The extortion letters also threaten negative online reviews, which some BBBs offer.

“BBB also scrutinizes customer reviews,” Power said. “BBB doesn’t publish reviews until we have verified the reviewer. Businesses should feel assured that these extortionists will not be able to make good on their threats involving BBB complaints or reviews.”

Businesses may have been given a lot longer time to comply with the bitcoin demand than normal because many people don’t really know what a bitcoin is, or how to acquire one, officials said. Also, because it’s virtual currency, it’s not as traceable, allowing the groups sending the letters and making the demands to avoid being identified.

For more information on the BBB, visit BBB.org.

Check out charities before making a donation

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The Better Business Bureau is using July 4 as an opportunity to shine some light on the various charities the organization supports.

“The freedom of choice, to support causes we care about, reminds us of the spirit of the July 4 holiday,” said H. Art Taylor, president and chief executive of BBB Wise Giving Alliance, in a release. “But whether the charity advocates for issues related to civil rights, immigration, the environment, animal welfare, health care, veterans, military service members or other issues, verify if the charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability by visiting Give.org.”

BBB offers the following tips when giving to charities:

• More than a charity name. Don’t assume the nature of the advocacy charity’s programs based solely on its name. Review the organization’s website to better understand its position and activities.

• Be wary of overly emotional appeals. Watch out for charity appeals that seek to stir your passions for an advocacy issue, but don’t tell you what the charity is specifically doing to address the matter.

• Many voices for each cause. For any advocacy issue, there are a variety of charities seeking to address the matter in their own way. The charity soliciting is not the only option to consider. Many charities that carry out program services such as health care research, education, veterans assistance and the like also are engaged in advocacy activities related to their mission.

• Accountability is more than finances. It would be a mistake to overemphasize charity finances when assessing a charity. BBB Wise Giving Alliance reminds donors that its broad standards address many other aspects of accountability, such as governance, effectiveness reporting, appeal accuracy, website disclosures, donor privacy and other matters.

• Deductibility verification. Don’t assume that all advocacy organizations are tax exempt as charities. If deductibility is important, see the advocacy appeal references whether the organization is tax exempt as a charity.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance produces reports on more than 1,300 nationally soliciting charitable organizations, and local BBBs report on another 10,000 local and regional charities. The alliance does not rank charities, but rather seeks to assist donors in making informed judgments by providing objective evaluations of national charities based on 20 standards that address charity governance, finances, fundraising, appeal accuracy and other issues.

For more information, visit Give.org.

Award winning air conditioning, heating and plumbing in Land O’ Lakes

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James and Dana Spears, owners of Cornerstone Pros, are fully prepared to handle all of your air conditioning, heating and plumbing needs.They offer same-day service, 24-hour emergency service, free estimates for installation and free second opinions.

Cornerstone won the Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2012 and 2013 and currently has over 415 glowing reviews on Angie’s List. They also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

“Our goal as a company is customer service first,” says Dana. “We strive to provide exceptional service at a fair price. We want to go above and beyond customer’s expectations.”

James and Dean Spears have made Cornerstone Pros a premiere air-conditioning company.
James and Dean Spears have made Cornerstone Pros a premiere air-conditioning company.

They started the business in 2006. Before that, Dana worked in commercial insurance for 15 years; while James worked in air conditioning and plumbing for 25 years. In their previous jobs, Dana learned about the value of customer service, and James saw first-hand the benefits of exceptional professional trade knowledge.

One of their goals is to employ local people and serve local customers. They rented their first building just down the road, moved to another as their business grew, and recently got an opportunity to purchase their current building.

They have 27 employees, some of whom have been there since they opened. “We have a wonderful staff and dedicated people who enjoy working here,” says Dana. “We added plumbing this year and hired two plumbers. Our goal is to have six plumbers on staff within a year.”

Their services include the service and maintenance of all air conditioning and heating units. They also provide water treatment and testing services, whole home re-pipes, stoppages, and fixture installations.

Cornerstone did a rebranding earlier this year. They hired a firm to create an old-school image that portrayed their core values, ethics, honesty and quality work. “The feedback from our customers and the community has been excellent,”says Dana.

This is truly a family-owned and operated business. They currently have five family members working for the company. “Our children have to work for one year for someone else before they can work here,” says Dana. “We want them to know what it’s like to work in the real world. That outside experience will help them see the importance of happy employees and customers.”

“We recently had an outside company do an anonymous employee survey,” says Dana. “The employee feedback was outstanding. The survey company was astounded at how satisfied our employees were. We work hard to give our employees a good work environment and keep them long-term.”

Dana was born and raised in Lutz. She graduated from Land O’ Lakes High School and is a mother of five. Two have graduated from Land O’ Lakes High School, two are still in high school, and they now have a 2- year-old son. James was born and raised in Tampa. They are both very active in community support and want to give back more as they continue to grow.

To learn more, visit CornerstonePros.com, or call (813) 949-4445.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Summer wrong time to be scammed by shady solar contractors

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With summer arriving, homeowners are looking for new ways to go green. And they might find solar energy as the perfect alternative.

While it can help save the environment with the added benefit of saving a little money, too, the Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners to be smart about investing in any type of improvement project.

While there are a number of home improvement scams that exist, solar energy scams are one that many may not be familiar with, the BBB said. Fraudulent contractors prey on those who are unfamiliar with the product, with issues ranging from installation to the actual panels themselves.

In 2013, consumers contacted the BBB nearly 84,000 times about solar energy equipment and systems dealers. The organization also received 259 complaints on solar energy dealers that ranged from contract and service issues, to customer service problems.

“Consumers need to be familiar with solar panels and how the benefits will affect them before investing their money,” said Karen Nalven, president of BBB Serving West Florida, in a release. “It’s especially important for homeowners to do their research before hiring a contractor to install solar energy products.”

There are a number of state and federal rebates that offer a reduction in the initial costs of solar products. However, consumers should be wary of the less-than-reputable and unqualified contractors that come into town offering such services at discount prices.

The BBB offers the following tips when investing in solar energy:

  • Discuss with the electric company. Due to the high costs associated with the initial investment of solar power, it is important to conduct a self-energy audit to determine if solar energy is even right for a home. If a monthly bill, for example, is less than $100, there may be other ways to save energy that costs less.

Also, be sure to ask about the local, state and federal laws concerning the standards and codes of the solar panels.

  • Solar energy requires sun. Find out an average how many sunny days a home sees annually. As with every product or service, comparison shop with several businesses to ensure getting the best deal.
  • Inquire about tax credits. Found out the amount of tax credits offered for the amount of energy that is generated. Ask about the length of time it takes to receive the tax credits, and if the credits themselves will be taxed.
  • Settle the details. Be cautious of installers that promise no out-of-pocket costs prior to reviewing specific situations. Be wary if an installer suggests obtaining credit for the full amount of the system, even though they are promising very low or no costs due to rebates.

Ask what will happen if the business promises a certain percentage of savings from a utility bill, but the amount of savings is not achieved.

  • Make sure the roof is equipped to sustain a solar panel system. Even though a properly installed solar system will not damage a roof, making sure the roof is in good condition before beginning the installation can help avoid any future problems.

For more about the Better Business Bureau, visit BBB.org.