GAIN by GIVINGBusinesses, Charities

BBB Seal Demonstrates Integrity for Companies, Nonprofitspage 6

Request A Quote Builds Relationships, Customer Base page 8

BBB Scam Tracker Helps Consumers Avoid Fraudpage 10

How giving is good for the bottom line page 11

www.bbb.org/stlouis Winter 2015

Jim Pellock, owner of Precision Construction Services of Columbia, Mo., and Lindsay Lopez,

executive director of the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri

Better Business BureauBetter Business Bureau Winter 2015Winter 2015

Board of Directors

The mission of Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois is to be the

leader in advancing marketplace trust.

* Chair **Past Chair ***Ex-Officio

Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Missouri

& Southern Illinois211 N. Broadway, Ste. 2060,

St. Louis, MO 63102Phone: (314) 645-3300

Fax: (314) 645-2666Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m.

Jerri Stroud, Editor Email: jstroud@stlouisbbb.org

Torchlight (ISSN 1547-2043 USPS 053-540) is published quarterly by Better Business Bureau, 211 N. Broadway, Ste. 2060, St. Louis, MO 63102. Subscriptions are available to BBB Accredited Businesses only. Periodicals postage paid at St. Louis, MO. Postmaster: Send address changes to Torchlight, 211 N. Broadway, Suite 2060, St. Louis, MO 63102.

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Reflecting on anExtraordinary Year

A message from the President

Paul BirnerRenewal by Andersen

David BreckenridgeMoneta Group

Tim CombsHelitech Waterproofing

Michelle L. Corey***Better Business Bureau

Ron CrowLaclede Gas Co.

Tonya DemullingEnterprise Rent-A-Car

Kevin DeptulaBuilder’s Bloc Contracting

Kevin DrollingerEpworth Children & Family Services

Darlene ElderBuild-A-Bear Workshop

Kim GarnerBEST Transportation

Robert J. Hoffmann**Hoffmann Brothers

Jim HoldenerAmeren Missouri

Steven HorstGraybar

Michael HurstRukus

Marlene JonesBJC Healthcare

Justin LeeRubinBrown

Tim LeonGeile/Leon Marketing Communications

Scott MosbyMosby Building Arts

D. NarainMonsanto Co.

Sean O’DonnellCharter Communications

Michael RottlerRottler Pest & Lawn Solutions

Carolyn Sandgren-KempfElite Travel Co.

Scott SchaeferSchaefer Auto Body

Joseph W. SchmelzleUnited Van Lines

Will SmithCaleres

Tom StreibStreib Electric Co.

Tom ThielChesterfield Fence & Deck Co.

Thomas B. WalshDrury Hotels Co.

T. William White*Commerce Bank N.A.

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There’s no question: 2015 has been an extraordinary year for your Better Business Bureau. We saw dramatic change, continued growth and inspiring accomplishments. None

of it would have been possible without the consumers, businesses and charities who continue to strengthen a partnership grounded in trust and ethical behavior.

Indeed, we have much to be grateful for as the year draws to a close.

Some of the numbers are remarkable: • 7,400: The expected number of BBB Accredited Businesses

in our region by the close of 2015, up nearly 1,000 since last Jan. 1.• 6 million: The anticipated number of pageviews on St. Louis

BBB’s website this year, up nearly 10 percent from 5.5 million in 2014. That includes 2.8 million visits to BBB Business Reviews.

• Three: The number of awards (25 percent of all the awards) presented to St. Louis BBB at the International Assembly of BBBs —for Best Charity Review program, Best Outreach program and Best Marketing and Branding.

• 65: The number of schools in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois participating in BBB’s In Pursuit of Ethics Program, a 20

percent increase for the year.• 532: The number of people attending BBB’s fall Torch

Awards luncheon honoring area students, businesses and charities.

But to judge the success of your BBB solely on a list of numbers would be both unrealistic and foolish. As impressive as the statistics are, they tell only a part of our story.

BBB’s Facebook pages have gotten 10 times the impressions logged in 2014, and the number of Twitter followers has approximately doubled. The number of BBB YouTube views is up 900 percent.

An intense Search Engine Optimization (SEO) push has meant that BBB reports, including information on BBB Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities, are being seen by more people than ever.

Area businesses continue reaping the benefits of BBB’s Request a Quote program, which guides consumers to accredited contractors and service providers.

Consumer reviews of positive business experiences are highlighting the best of the best, raising the profiles of the region’s most customer-friendly, ethical businesses.

In 2015, BBB created an in-house task force to focus on the interests and demands of the Millennial Generation and put extra efforts into increasing our attention and services to our Accredited Businesses.

Nationally and locally, BBB created an interactive Scam Tracker program that allows consumers to report and research a variety of scams against both individuals and businesses,

from advance fee loan schemes to contracting rip-offs to IRS impersonation scams.

As we approach 2016, we pause to share some of our accomplishments and to recognize those who have made all of the good work possible.

To our consumers, we are grateful for the continuing trust they place in us and for taking the time the time to report on scams and unethical business practices in an effort to help others avoid becoming victims.

To the businesses and nonprofit community, we appreciate their ongoing support and faith, particularly those men and women serving on BBB’s Board of Directors or one of our working committees.

And, most of all, we thank all of our Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities who have committed to, and believe in, BBB’s Standards of Trust.

We hope that the coming New Year brings you health, happiness and continued opportunities for growth and success.

Michelle Corey BBB CEO, CAE

The end of the year marks a change in leadership of BBB’s Board of Directors, with T. William White, senior vice president of Commerce Bank, stepping down as chair and Scott Mosby, chief executive of Mosby Building Arts, stepping up from vice chair. White remains on the board as immediate past chair. BBB asked White and Mosby for their perspective as BBB tallies results from 2015 and plans for the new year.

White, who has served on the board for eight years, said BBB’s dramatic growth over the last year is a tribute to a strong leadership team

led by Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, as well as the hard work of BBB’s dedicated staff, volunteers and the service of numerous business leaders on BBB boards and committees.

“Never before during our 98 years have we earned such support from our business community,”

White said in his address to the BBB TORCH Awards last month. Consumers also are turning to BBB more than ever before, as evidenced by more than 2.8 million visits to BBB Business Reviews this year, he noted.

Mosby expects that support to continue next year.

“Our focus for 2016 is to continue increasing the value, relevance and service to consumers, Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities,” Mosby said.

BBB can remain a leader in promoting marketplace trust by promoting positive business values while exposing bad actors, he continued. This dual role keeps the community spotlight focused on BBB Standards of Trust.

“Our mission is to identify and celebrate responsible businesses so consumers can choose BBB Accredited Businesses when they need products or services,” Mosby said. “The continued vigilance of our talented BBB staff also exposes dishonest characters that prey on our community. We hope to keep the bad guys away from our consumers and to help consumers find and choose BBB Accredited Businesses.”

Mosby said BBB should continue to “share the news that great businesses and charities are found right here, and thrive as BBB Accredited Businesses and Charities. If you want to be counted among the best and the brightest charitable and business leaders in our community

then this is your place. Being an active BBB Accredited Business or Charity puts you together with the talented and experienced leaders that are shaping the ethics of our marketplace and the ethical fabric of our community.

BBB’s ‘Start with Trust’ tag line “means that consumers can find responsible businesses on our website,” Mosby said. “Our Pursuit of Ethics program is teaching values in our schools. Our BBB Business Reviews are reliable and trusted, and the generous charitable donors in our community can check out BBB Charity Reviews on BBB’s website.

“So much great work happens in this BBB every day that protects our community, improves our businesses and celebrates exceptional customer service. It’s time to tell our community that the BBB will be 100 years old in 2017 and is continuing to shape a fair market place. Our BBB belongs to this community, and these services are free of charge to consumers. We exist to advance and train ethical behavior in our community, and we intend to do this for another 100 years going forward.” BBB

White, Mosby See Support for BBB Growing as New Year Approaches

Scott Mosby CEO of Mosby Building Arts

“Never before during our 98 years have we earned

so much support from our business community.”

—Outgoing BBB board chairT. William White

Cover photo: Kim Watson/Pinnacle Graphics

Better Business Bureau Better Business BureauWinter 2015 Winter 2015

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News & Notes for BBB Accredited Businesses in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois

BBB’s Cape Office: Year 1 RecapBBB’s Cape Girardeau Regional Office has seen much

success and a warm reception from the community since opening the office just over a year ago.

Regional Director Joey Keys has been active in the community, working with news media and attending business events, joining local chambers of commerce and community groups. He spoke to multiple business and community groups throughout the region about the services offered through BBB and scams to avoid.

BBB’s In Pursuit of Ethics has been brought into many classrooms in the region. The program teaches students ethics as it relates to situations they may find in their daily lives. These principles can help them as they become adults and enter the workforce.

More than 100 companies have chosen to become Accredited Businesses in the last year, building on a solid base of Accredited Businesses in the Cape area. These businesses commit to BBB standards - the core of who we are. They promise to build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, be transparent, honor promises, be responsive, safeguard privacy and embody integrity.

One of the region’s businesses, Elite Travel Inc. was selected as a BBB TORCH Award winner. The company was recognized at BBB’s annual TORCH Awards event on Nov. 13. The event recognizes businesses, charities and students for their commitment to ethics and service.

As BBB begins its second year in Cape Girardeau, we will continue to foster trust in the marketplace by connecting consumers to trustworthy businesses and upholding BBB standards.

Five Reasons to Ask Your Customers for BBB Customer Reviews

BBB Customer Reviews give happy customers a way to brag about your

business.

Great reviews can enhance your reputation as a trustworthy business and

convince potential customers to consider doing business with you.

BBB Customer Reviews help you stand out from the competition. A survey by

Bright Local found that 88 percent of people consult online reviews before they buy.

Having BBB Customer Reviews on your BBB Business Review adds a star

rating for potential customers that indicates customer satisfaction.

By responding to reviews, you can cement your relationship with

customers. Even happy customers appreciate it when you respond to any minor details that were missed.

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BBB Honors 2015 TORCH Award Winners

ABOVE: 2015 TORCH Award Winners. Front row, left to right: Sylvia J. Jackson, The Women’s Safe House; Scott Mosby, Mosby Building Arts; Dan Laughlin, O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Co.; Nichole Berlie, KSDK Anchor and emcee; Michelle L. Corey, BBB President and CEO; Carolyn Sandgren-Kempf, Elite Travel Co.; Dawn Weinhardt, Weinhardt Party Rentals; Staci Maneage, The Gutter Cover Co.; Jan Albus, Variety, The Childrens’ Charity of St. Louis; Leah Krafft, Student of Ethics Award Winner. Back row, left to right: Paul Birner, Renewal by Andersen; Don Padgett, Padgett Building & Remodeling; W. Thomas Reeves, Pulaski Bank; Rick Barthelmass, General Grant Car Wash & Detail Center; Jim Maneage, The Gutter Cover Co.; Christopher Barnett and Travis Whitt, Student of Ethics Award winners; T. William White, BBB Chair, Commerce Bank; Gene R. “Bob” Frederic Jr., Frederic Roofing Co.

Better Business Bureau honored 11 businesses and two charities at the 2015 TORCH Awards Nov. 13 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. TORCH Awards recognize organizations with exceptional ethics and service to their customers, employers, suppliers and their communities.

BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses and Charities to apply for the 2016 TORCH awards. More information is available at go.bbb.org/1zweB6w.

LEFT: Event emcee Nichole Berlie of KSDK Channel 5’s “Today in St. Louis.” RIGHT: Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs speak on the success of Better Life, the customer-forward, thriving business they co-founded.

Award Winner Adam Kinser and wife Aniceta of ServiceMaster of Columbia.

BBB|St. Louis won three “Outstanding BBB Awards” at The International Assembly of BBBs in Denver, Colordado in October. The awards were for Best Charity Review Program—our “Gain by Giving” program, which promotes partnerships between Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities (see page 11); Best Outreach Program—our efforts to educate the public and government officials throughout the United States of a serious pattern of complaints BBB received about a Washington, Mo. company; and Best Marketing and Branding—our social media campaigns, which focused on educating consumers to “Look for the Seal” when making marketplace decisions. Displaying the awards, from left, are Chris Thetford, BBB vice president-communications & marketing; Michelle Corey, BBB president & CEO; and Tracy Hardgrove, BBB vice president-operations/administration.

BBB Regional Director Joey Keys at the Networking Session of the 2015 TORCH Awards luncheon.

BBB Welcomes Sean Spence, New Columbia Regional Director

BBB recently welcomed Sean Spence, an entrepreneur with strong ties to the Mid-Missouri business community, as the new regional director for BBB’s Mid-Missouri Regional Office.

Spence, a second-generation Mizzou graduate, has owned a marketing firm and an event production company and is a founder of the Columbia Daily Tribune’s Women in Business Awards. He has written a book on producing events and is working on another, a biography of Justin Dart, an advocate for disability rights. Spence lives in Columbia with his wife, Leigh.

Spence called himself a true believer in BBB.“I want businesses to be accredited because I honestly

believe it is better for them, better for consumers and better for our community. I could not be more proud than I am to be a new leader in promoting trust, integrity and quality in business,” Spence said.

Spence has big goals for the Mid-Missouri region and BBB. “I predict we will double our size over the next three years and dramatically increase our presence and brand awareness for both business leaders and consumers.”

Sean can be reached at (573) 886-8965, or by email: sspence@midmobbb.org.

Mid-Missouri RegionalDirector

Sean Spence

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Better Business BureauWinter 2015 Better Business Bureau Winter 2015

T o astute consumers, Better Business Bureau’s logo is more than a symbol. The simple, stylized flame has become the single best way to identify businesses and charities that have demonstrated commitments to a

fair and ethical marketplace.Consumers who search for BBB Accredited Business seals

on shop windows, in advertisements and on company websites recognize it as the gold standard for business integrity.

No seal? How do I know I can trust them to sell me a car, repair my leaky roof or use my charitable donation

wisely? How do I know they will do what they promise?

Across the region, businesses and charities— from small storefront retailers to corporate

giants—have made the decision to join BBB in a partnership with like-minded organizations, customers and donors. It’s a relationship that has endured nearly a century.Travis Pazurek, owner and president of Niche Marketing

Concepts, operates ShedsForLessDirect.com, KitSuperStore.com and other websites from its O’Fallon, Mo., office. Pazurek said the

BBB Accreditation Seal shows prospective customers that the firm is serious about living up to high business standards.“When customers arrive at our websites, it can be a little intimidating

to buy from a store they’ve never heard of before,” Pazurek said. “BBB’s seal gives them confidence quickly that we are in fact a legitimate business that

provides outstanding service to our customers.” Pazurek said it can be very difficult to compete with big box

stores with high name recognition that sell similar products. “BBB gives us the edge we need to get sales.” He said he would recommend any small business to seek accreditation. “The

return on your investment keeps paying year after year.”At Clayton Valet, a Clayton, Mo.-based business that offers valet services to restaurants and businesses

throughout the area, Chris Rodriguez says its BBB Accreditation Seal “solidifies our reputation, exhibits

our accountability and shows our customers that we are a reliable, respectful and responsibility company.” In

our technology-driven era, he said, “Consumers are more and more likely to educate themselves prior to making a purchase.”

KEEPING THE FLAMERegional businesses and charities share the pride—and embrace the responsibility—of proudly displaying the BBB SealBy Bill Smith BBB Reporter

When they see BBB’s seal, Rodriguez said, they feel more secure. “The fact that we exhibit our association with BBB on our marketing pieces, website and email signatures, instills a level of trust that most companies in our industry cannot match.”

Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, says there is a sense of pride – but also responsibility – in being a seal holder.

At Ballwin Dental Care, an Accredited Business since 2011, marketing director Bill Kratz said the office’s ability to display the BBB seal is something “we never take for granted.” Katz called BBB accreditation “a valuable asset in my marketing toolbox.”

Chuck Price, owner of BBB-accredited Black and Gold Auctions of Columbia, Mo., called his business’ reputation “our number one concern

and the greatest selling point for our services.” BBB, he said, “allows us to spread our good standing with the community to those who are not yet familiar with our business, and shows the integrity with which we operate.”

Patrick Mooney of Collinsville, Ill., operates the website ElegantHorsePictures.com, a web-based business that sells a wide variety of largely horse and western-related artwork. Accredited for more than 10 years, Mooney called BBB’s seal “essential for any e-commerce business where trust is paramount.” It is invaluable, he said, for new customers to click on the site’s interactive seal and immediately view the company’s BBB Business Review.

Frederic Roofing of Brentwood celebrated 58 years as an Accredited Business this month. In November, the contractor was the recipient of a 2015 BBB Torch Award for outstanding

customer service. Even after nearly six decades, the company continues to find value in its affiliation with BBB.

“We always tell potential customers to go on the BBB website and compare us with our competition,” said Gene Frederic. Accreditation and maintaining a high BBB rating makes customers feel they are selecting the right contractor for their job.

“We love our relationship with BBB,” Frederic said.

Integrity Home Solutions of St. Peters, another BBB Accredited Business, recognizes the inherent problem of gaining consumers’ trust. Joshua R. Lawson, the company’s senior project manager, says word of mouth can only do so much. An organization like BBB, he said is both an outstanding resource for fraud prevention and an unbiased source

of information on businesses. “BBB’s reports on a

company carry more weight than an average review site,” Lawson said. The company’s BBB seal offers real proof “that the majority of our customers have a positive experience with our company.”

For charities across the region, BBB’s seal is a symbol to donors that their organizations have met BBB’s 20 Standards of Accountability – a set of standards ranging from good governance to fiscal responsibility to transparency.

Bess Wilfong, founder and executive director of Angels’ Arms, a charity that works with families and foster children, said the seal is like a “green light for potential donors, giving them assurance that their donations will be put to good use.

“People are always impressed when they see the BBB seal,” she said. “It’s a wonderful tool to enhance our relationships with existing and potential donors.”

“We are so proud to be able to display the BBB Accredited Charity seal,” says Susan Kidder, executive director of Safe Connections. “BBB is such a respected leader in community accountability that knowing we have earned this distinction inspires great consumer confidence in our organization. Our donors know that we will use their contributions responsibly, and our clients know we will treat them with respect. We are honored to have earned the trust of those we serve—and of the Better Business Bureau.” BBB

SEALED: BBB seal holders (clockwise from top): Bob, left, and Gene Frederic of Frederic Roofing; employees of Clayton Valet; Chuck Price of Black and Gold Auctions, in the red shirt; and employees of Ballwin Dental Care.

Better Business BureauWinter 2015 Better Business BureauWinter 2015

8 9

tough for him to respond within the 20-minute Request A Quote window.

Valerie Camden, service department manager at Schaeffer Electric in south St. Louis County, agreed that a quick response is key: “As soon as I see them, I respond to them,” she said. Most of the leads have been for residential or smaller jobs, she said, but with 70 to 80 employees and 80 years in business, Schaeffer also does commercial and industrial work.

John Peters, owner of Alliance Contracting Solutions in Columbia, Ill., called BBB leads among “the strongest referral sources next to a straight-up referral from an existing customer.” He said 90 percent of BBB leads are strong to begin with, and about half of them turn into contracts for remodeling, room additions or other jobs.

“That’s pretty strong,” Peters said. “It’s usually a thoughtful person who’s doing their homework.”

James Lowhorn of Handyman Haulers and Movers in Columbia, Mo., said he appreciates BBB sending him referrals directly. “It means a lot,” especially as a long-term BBB Accredited Business.

Robert Hoffmann, president of Hoffmann Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical Contracting, said his company attributes $43,453 in revenue

this year to 52 Request A Quote leads.Will Reed, owner of Covenant

Contracting in Fenton, Mo., said one customer signed up for an $80,000 job after submitting a request through BBB.

Alan Benes, owner of A1 Concrete Leveling in Chesterfield, Mo., said he views Request A Quote as an added bonus for his BBB Accreditation. “You have the opportunity to get additional leads and additional customers that you wouldn’t necessarily have gotten connected with without this system. It’s people who

have a need and are researching it. Typically it’s almost all good quality leads and jobs that need to be done.”

Customers are equally enthusiastic, with 76 percent rating the program good or exceptional, including 44.5 percent who rated it exceptional. Sixty-eight percent said they are likely to use Request A Quote again, and another 23 percent said they might use it again.

Their comments are even more telling.

“It’s a good service – very helpful in finding contractors,” said one man.

“I have a sense of safety with the contractors that have responded,” said another.

“Freaking loved it,” said a new homeowner. “I will use this feature all the time going forward.”

Many consumers said they felt confident requesting responses from BBB Accredited Businesses because

they have been checked out by BBB and have an easily understandable rating. BBB Accredited Businesses must have at least a B rating on a scale of A+ to F, the lowest rating.

“I was very happy how quickly the business got in touch with me,” one man said. “This is a very good program! You can see if the business has any complaints and their rating. I will definitely use this again.”

“I was very pleased with the companies that you referred to me,” said a woman who was looking for contractors. “They were all very professional and contacted me almost immediately after you posted my request. Thank you so much for this service.”

A man in the St. Louis area said, “Getting a lead and a quote via the BBB program tells the vendor I am concerned about quality of service and, in my opinion, holds the vendor to a higher standard.”

“It was a good way to get reputable contractors that are approved from the BBB to give you a quote, said another

man. “It feels reassuring to know you have someone honest.”

BBB expects to keep refining Request A Quote and other

benefits based on feedback from businesses and consumers. Look for updates in the biweekly

BBB Accreditation Update emails and other BBB communications. BBB

By Jerri Stroud BBB Editor

Ten months after BBB revamped its Request A Quote program, it’s bringing BBB Accredited Businesses and consumers together

across Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois almost every day.

Consumers have submitted more than 6,000 requests since February. Those requests have been distributed more than 31,000 times to Accredited Businesses throughout your BBB’s service area.

Accredited Businesses tell us these are extremely valuable leads, most of them coming from consumers who’ve done their homework and are ready to buy. And consumers say they appreciate the quick response they get from businesses they can trust. Over-all, 75 percent of Accredited Businesses rated the program as good or exceptional.

Rob Kukuljan, owner of Kirkwood Painting, said Request A Quote has helped him expand his painting business from central St. Louis County to South and North County. He’s also developed relationships with new customers.

“I love it,” Kukuljan said. “This year alone it’s grown my business a lot. From one lead, I got an $80,000 improvement in my business.”

Prompt responses are essential with Request a Quote, which gives contractors 20 minutes to view and claim the lead. After that, they need to respond to the consumer within 24 hours. Leads can be

delivered as text messages to a cell phone as well as by email.

“You really have to jump on it,” Kulkuljan said. “These customers want

the work done now.”Paulo Lee, principal at The One by

Maximus, a remodeling, restoration and design/build firm in Creve Coeur, Mo., called BBB leads “definitely helpful.” Lee likes to keep his employees and subcontractors busy every day, and BBB’s leads have helped him do that. “BBB definitely gave us a pretty fair number of leads.”

Lee prefers getting the leads as texts to his cell phone so he can respond to them promptly. The delays involved in receiving the leads by email sometimes made it

REQUEST A QUOTE is a Hit with Consumers, Accredited Businesses

‘Freaking loved it. I will use this feature all the time going forward.’

—A new homeowner

‘With one lead, I got an $80,000 improvement

in my business.’—Rob Kukuljan, owner, Kirkwood Painting

Paulo Lee, principal at The One by

Maximus, prefers getting BBB’s leads as texts so he can respond to them

even faster.

Consumer Survey Results on Request A Quote

Covenant Contracting had

one customer sign up for an

$80,000 job after submitting a request

through BBB.

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Better Business BureauWinter 2015

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Better Business BureauWinter 2015

By Shellie Kreter BBB Communications Assistant

BBB created Gain by Giving last year in response to a need

expressed by Accredited Businesses: They said giving back to the community was important to them in a survey. They also said they’d be interested in working with and supporting BBB Accredited Charities.

Accredited Charities have told BBB that they love working with vendors that they know they can trust, while BBB Accredited Businesses have found it rewarding to give back, both for its own sake and because it helps promote their values.

Many businesses realize that giving back is good for the bottom line. Volunteer opportunities can improve staff retention: Many employees say they prefer working for a business that promotes volunteering. Businesses may save on taxes by donating to a charity. Charitable giving also can be an opportunity to express a brand’s values.

BBB Accredited Business leaders had an opportunity to network with six Accredited Charities before November’s TORCH Awards ceremony. The charities set up booths in the foyer where they showcased their accomplishments, demonstrating why they are worth a business’s investment of time or money.

“We had quite a bit of traffic at our booth and made some connections,” said Jasmina Schue with Angel’s Arms, a St. Louis County charity that provides temporary homes for foster children. Julie Probst with Variety, the Children’s Charity, said that it was “a gracious thing to offer, and we got several volunteers.”

Other business leaders have asked BBB to point the way to Accredited Charities in need of their involvement.

Jon-Paul Rucker runs Greener Construction, a BBB Accredited roofing business.

“I was having a very good year, and I wanted to give back,” Rucker told BBB Charity Director Carole Bellman.

Bellman referred Rucker to BBB’s online Accredited Charity Guide, formed specifically to help businesses and consumers looking for trustworthy charities. After some research, he

found Angels’ Arms and arranged to visit several of the properties they maintain for foster families. There, he assessed how the charity could reduce regular maintenance and upkeep for the properties.

“Probably the best value for them,” he said, “was the roof we donated to one of their properties in Ferguson.”

Elaine Powers of Angels’ Arms said, “The roof was one of those things that was quickly moving up to our must-do list. Jon-Paul coordinated the whole project, and we have a foster family with a new roof on their house.”

Fellow Accredited Business Amaya Contracting provided the roofing materials for Angels’ Arms at cost.

Lindsay Lopez, executive director of the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, says collaboration is important in

the Food Bank’s work, too. “Columbia is such a generous community,

and Columbia businesses support us in a number of ways,” she said.

“We had 44,000 volunteers last year come in to help us repackage food, and that has been a popular team building activity for many businesses,” Lopez said. “It’s a win-win for them—there’s no better way to get to know people than through an activity like that.”

Jim Pellock, owner of Precision Construction in Columbia, a BBB Accredited Business, has been running ads promoting donations to the Food Bank recently. He’s also offering to donate $200 for every customer who signs up for a job with his company before the end of the year.

Kevin Drollinger, executive director of Epworth Children and Family Services, says that whenever his charity needs to hire a business to do work, they always consider BBB Accredited Businesses.

“When we look for vendors, we go to the Accredited Business list,” he said. “Because we know BBB is sending BBB Accredited Businesses to BBB Accredited Charities, we feel that it’s important that we invest in Gain by Giving and give back to BBB Accredited Businesses, too.”

Epworth sought out Savedrivers Services, an Accredited Business owned by Ronnie Williams.

“I’m definitely in the business of giving back to the community,” Williams told BBB. “I feel like I’m saving lives, because motor vehicle collisions are the number one killer of young people. Because

we can help Epworth’s kids to get a license, we can help keep them safe.”

Working with charities has definitely been a benefit to his business, he said. “Any opportunity I get is a blessing to me and my community.”

“BBB knows that our community is skilled at working together to solve problems,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB President and CEO. “We are happy to provide an opportunity for conversation and collaboration, connecting two standards-based groups. We believe that it will lead to great accomplishments.”

BBB encourages businesses to check out the BBB Accredited Charity Guide at go.bbb.org/charity-guide. The guide provides a list of charities organized by mission and lists each charity’s name, location, goals and how to donate, volunteer and get involved. BBB

Did you get that offer of an “easy job” a “free vacation” or help retiring your student loans in your email or on the phone?

Yep, so did we. And so do many, many consumers in Missouri, Illinois and all over North America.

For years, about all BBB could do with these scam reports was try to dissuade people from sending money to claim a sweepstakes prize or get their computer fixed remotely. Because the perpetrators were nearly impossible to locate, there was little we could do to help. On occasion, we might issue a press release if we received a number of reports from consumers questioning one scam or another.

BBB now has developed a great tool to help us track scams and help consumers who suspect that the call, text, email or letter they got in the mail wasn’t legitimate.

BBB Scam Tracker is an online tool that allows anyone to report a scam or check out suspicious phone calls, emails or texts. With a few clicks, they can see whether the scam has been reported previously. A map shows where scams have been reported.

A consortium of nine local BBBs along

with the Council of Better Business Bureaus developed Scam Tracker and tested it in 2014. With a grant from Target Corp. and the support of Accredited Businesses, BBB Scam Tracker was extended to all BBBs in the United States and Canada earlier this year and will soon be expanded to Mexico.

The tool allows consumers and BBBs to share alerts about suspected scams, regardless of whether they lost money or simply received a suspicious offer. Consumers can search scams by name or type, spot trends or track scams using demographic data. Consumers can access the site at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/stlouis.

Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, said she believes the tool will be useful in helping consumers avoid losing money or unknowingly giving up sensitive personal or financial data to identity thieves. BBBs can share information on scams they’re seeing, helping others avoid fraud.

“Our staff receives dozens of phone calls every day about bogus offers for everything from advance fee loans to foreign lotteries and more,” Corey said.

BBB expects that Scam Tracker will be

used to determine which scam is “hot” in a certain region. As Scam Tracker gathers more information about a scam, BBB will share the information with the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) for analysis and collaboration with law

enforcement. Where possible, agencies will shut down and prosecute the most flagrant scammers. If the scammer is overseas, information will be shared with authorities in those countries.

To date, more than 10,000 scams have been reported in North America, including 249 in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Losses in North America have reashed $3.4 million, and locally, victims have lost more than $23,500.

Top scams reported in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois include IRS imposters, government grant and tech support scams. Other scams reported include sweepstakes, debt collection, employment scams and others. Many people who reported scams had not lost money because they suspected the person contacting them was up to no good.

One St. Louis area woman reported, “Jack from Global Pharmacy called to tell me he was calling about my medications. I take no medications. . . . I have been called twice. Both times I have informed them this is a scam and to remove me from their calling list.”

BBB also will issue tips and alerts to help consumers avoid becoming a victim of these scams.

BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities to share this tool with their employees, customers and other acquaintances. The more information that can be shared, the more we can work to fight fraud that targets some of the most vulnerable consumers. BBB

Charities, Businesses GAIN BY GIVING

SCAM TRACKER Helps BBB, Consumers Avoid Being Scammed

See not only what particular scams are

active in your area, but get

specific details such as

business name used and total

dollars lost.

Search national trends all over North America, or focus in on

specific scams in your locality.

Reported information is shared with law enforcement and has resulted in successful prosecution of scammers.

Representatives of St. Louis County charity Angels Arms network at November’s BBB TORCH Awards ceremony.

COVER STORY

Better Business BureauWinter 2015

Better Business Bureau®

Serving Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois

211 N. Broadway, Suite 2060St. Louis, MO 63102

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