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It's March, and it’s time to begin one of my favorite seasons of the year—Torch Awards season. Nominations will be open very soon for the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, and this year, we are introducing an improved format designed to celebrate excellence across our entire 24-county region.
Each of our four regions will have their own Small Business, Medium Business, and Nonprofit finalists and winners, while a Large Business category will recognize excellence across the full service area.
This ensures every region can participate and enjoy Torch Award recognition for its outstanding businesses.
In early September we will celebrate all 27 finalists, and winners will be announced the month after.
I encourage you to submit a nomination—either using the form online at BBB.org, or through our social media channels. Ethical businesses deserve to be recognized, and your nomination helps tell their story.
— Lane Montz President & CEO
How to Choose an Automatic Standby Generator
By Generators Plus Co. — Expert Contributor
Anyone who has been without power for more than a few hours knows power failures can be disruptive and downright dangerous if you are not prepared. At the very least, blackouts disable heating/air conditioning systems, freezers, sump pumps, refrigerators, and lighting. If the power outage lasts for an extended period, your home may become uncomfortable and possibly uninhabitable. Food in the freezer may thaw and spoil; basements can become flooded due to sump pump failure. These events can become expensive.
When is the best time to buy a generator?
The best time to buy a generator is before the next major storm hits. Generators sell quickly during this time, and it is often next to impossible to schedule an installation during severe weather. There’s nothing like the comfort and security of having a reliable generator on hand, especially in light of the tough winters and grueling summers we’ve had recently!
What types of Generators are there?
The two main types of residential generators are portable and automatic standby. If you only need to power a few lights, a refrigerator, and a furnace, a less expensive portable generator may be sufficient. If, however, you want to run your lights, furnace, well pump, freezer, and other major appliances, you will want to look for a permanent automatic standby model. Normally, these are mounted on a concrete pad and wired directly into the electrical system to provide power to some or all of your home's circuits during a power outage. This is done through an automatic transfer switch that will automatically start the generator during a power outage and shut it off when utility power is restored.
How do I know what size automatic standby Generator I will need?
It is important to match the generator size to your electrical needs. An undersized generator won’t last long and can damage motors and other electrical equipment that require more current than the generator can supply.
What is the fuel source?
Most automatic standby generators run on natural gas or propane, and they are much quieter than gasoline models.
What should you ask the contractor?
Make sure they are licensed to do work in your area and will pull required permits.
Do they service the brands they sell? Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity of your generator.
In Conclusion:
A well-chosen generator provides reliable power, improves safety, and offers long-term value by matching the home’s needs.
BBB Scam Alert: use caution when searching for weight loss products online
Better Business Bureau recently warned consumers about a troubling trend involving deep-fake videos that promoted a weight loss product. Over the course of two months, BBB Scam Tracker received over 170 reports regarding a product called LipoMax,which was marketed as a form of the popular “pink salt trick” on social media.
Reports described how fake videos were used to sell the supplement. Consumers reported seeing deep-fake videos of celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, as well as alleged physicians, endorsing the product on social media. One consumer reported that they lost $303.95, and then was contacted by a ‘coach’ for LipoMax after their order, who tried to sell them $800 in additional supplements.
To help avoid weight loss scams, BBB recommends the following:
Always be wary of advertisements and customer endorsements promising "miracle" results or immediate weight loss.
Don't be quick to trust endorsements.
Avoid products that claim to help lose weight without diet or exercise.
Check a product's ingredients with the FDA.
Be wary of a lack of an ingredients list.
Be wary of free trial offers, and before signing up, understand all the terms and conditions.
When participating in online forums, be wary of individuals pushing products they claim will help quickly reach goals.
Be realistic about your fitness goals.
Research the company with BBB.org before purchasing.
🐾 Moo here! 🐶 Tax season is here, and I want to warn you to avoid tax scams this month.
The BBB has released a recent article about how to avoid tax scams this year.
Listed below are the recent types of tax scams:
IRS or CIA impersonations
Tax identity theft
Email phishing
Mailing
Tax relief
All of these scams will try to make you believe that you owe money to the IRS or that you have a refund from the IRS. However, their usual goal is to either scam you out of money or use your information for identity theft. Click the button below to read all about tax scams and how you can avoid them!
Dispose of sensitive papers and e-data devices safely and confidentially. This annual event features (mostly) free, drive-through document and device shredding and disposal by our long time event partner, AccuShred. BBB will donate $5 to our local NAMI chapter for every car that brings shred, up to $2,500.
📍Camp Miakonda Washington Cabin, 5600 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623
Senior ScamGuard
Learn more about current scams and how to protect yourself from them!
Search for a business to get a quote, request a consultation, make a reservation, find a table, book an appointment or start an order now.
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