With the recent news stories about retailers having their records compromised by hackers, Americans have been focused on the dangers of identity theft. According to a 2012 survey

from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 14 percent of people age 16 or older, or 34.2 million people, had experienced one or more incidents of identity (ID) theft in the past.

Identity theft isn’t just something that happens to consumers. Increasingly, criminals are targeting businesses as well. Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin is warning businesses to be on guard for signs of having their business’s name stolen.

Criminals look for ways to steal the identity of a legitimate business by gaining access to its bank accounts, credit cards and other sensitive company information. The criminals can then secure lines of credit with banks and retailers at the expense of the victim.

BBB warns businesses to be on the lookout for the following red flags of ID theft:

• You receive a request to verify orders you didn’t place.• You receive phone calls from someone trying to verify an

address for your business that is not associated with your company or that you cannot confirm.

• You receive invoices for storage, shipping or other services that you did not place.

The following advice can protect your company against identity thieves:

• Protect your business’s bank accounts. Review your commercial banking agreements to determine your protections and reporting requirements. Consider using a two-person authorization or other arrangements with your bank to protect against fraudulent wire transactions. Beware of phishing scams and monitor your bank account(s) frequently.

• Protect your business identifying information. Guard your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN) the way you would your own Social Security Number. Don’t give them out unless required and shred old documents with business ID information in them.

• Protect and monitor your state business registration information. Regularly review your information with the Secretary of State to make sure your information hasn’t been changed or updated without authorization.

• Protect and monitor your business’s credit card, supplier and trade accounts. Keep an inventory of accounts and key contact information. Review and reconcile account statements as soon as they are received and immediately alert your credit card company if you find fraudulent activity.

• Protect and monitor your business’s credit file. Regularly review your business credit reports with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Keep personal and business finances separate and consider placing a credit security freeze on your personal credit file to make it harder for thieves to open new accounts under your business’s name.

• Protect your business’s computers and networks. Restrict use of your business computers to only business activities. Install anti-virus software and keep it updated regularly. Secure your company’s wireless network.

• For more information about ways to prevent business identity theft and resources for dealing with the problem if it happens to your business, visit BusinessIDTheft.org, a website operated by the Identity Theft Protection Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

To find out more about scams and to report them, visit bbb.org.

Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo • Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

May 2014

BBB Warns Businesses of Dangers of Identity TheftIdentity theft is a serious threat to businesses, not just consumers

64 No. 5

NewMarchAccreditedBusinesses

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Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

AUSTIN360 Mortage Group, LLC4 M Roofing Company LLC911 Electric LLCAcademic Therapy Center, LLCAccurate Pavement Striping LLCAdvanced Home Builders, LLCAir Craft IncAloha Movers LLCAlpine Solar ControlAlterations & Veils by BeatriceAnother Great HouseArmadillo Portable TolietsAustin Mobile Drug Testing, LLCAustin Sign Co.B & B Water Well Service Inc.Barker Custom Homes IncBentley’s Biscuits & BonesBestBuyCells.comBigfoot Pest ControlBill Mooneyham ElectricBlue Diamond Remodeling IncBritton Service Group, LLCComanche Xpress, LLCCool Choice Heating & Air ConditioningData Plus Income Tax ServicesDays End Lawn SprinklersDimensional Firearms LLCDr. Handyman ServicesElite Heating and Air Conditioning, LLCeRealty Services LLCEstate Preservation Network, LLCFast AC & HeatingFAST Real Estate Solutions, IncFinancial Ventures, LLCFloor Centers of Texas Inc.Furniture By Leather Creations LLCGotcher Plumbing & Backflow LLCGrace and Lace LLCKas Contracting Company IncKim’s JanitorialLarry L. Read Electric, Inc.Lauren Concrete, LPLaw Office of Tim WhittenLeon Moving LLCPrudence PlanningRiver Rock Pools, IncRoyal Ready Maid Service of Austin LLCSal-Tex General ContractorsSente Mortgage IncSouth Star Plumbing IncStrong Tower Concrete, IncSuntex Landscape LLCTeva Construction LLCTexas Aggregates, LPTexas Reverse Mortgage, Inc.Texas Tough TopsTrademark Restoration ServicesTriad Electrical ContractorsTrustworthy House Cleaning ServicesTwo Men and A TruckWestlake RecoveryWilson’s Heating & Air LLCYoder Custom Builder & Designer

CENTROPLEX/WACOAquila & Priscilla Tentmakers Inc.Certified Auto RepairDennis Eakin Pre-Owned SuperstoreEnergy Solutions Of TexasHome Zone FurnitureHunt & Tuegel, PLLCMoore ElectricR. W. Plumbing, Inc.Rebath of Central TexasSonrise ServicesTexas Real Estate SalesTri-Star Roofing and Remodeling

CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIAAlamo Bail BondsAloha RealtorsAmerican Cab CompanyAmy Willis and Associates, LLCAnthony Wayne Flores, DDSASI-Andy Skloss InspectionsAuto ReconditioningBetty Bail BondsCorpus Christi Lock Doc LLCCustom Machine ShopD M ConstructionDeana Merrill’s Total Makeover SalonDenise Unlimited, Inc.Dr. Joelle Bouldou ChoucairMarilyn Joan Jensen LPC, CCDSMary Fischer DDS, PAMoore’s Pharmacy, Inc.Noe R. Cavazos InsuranceOn Top RoofingPlanet JumpSea Side Foundation Repair Co.South Texas Screening, Inc.Star Orthodontic SpecialistsSure Lift Foundation RepairTree MastersTrinity Insurance AgencyW R Starkey Mortgage LLP

PERMIAN BASINChief ServicesClearly The Best Movers LLCD’s Sports Cards & MemorabiliaDefensive SolutionsDr. Kendall H. Wong, MDFamily MedicineFox Pest ControlFreeman Mills PC - MidlandFuel Mark IncLin’s Welding & Truck RepairLinda’s Little Angels Learning Center IncMeraz Concrete ContractorsMia’s Little Playmates Learning CenterMr. Green Carpet CleaningOdessa Hardwood DistributingPet Techs GroomingReliable Nursing Services, Inc.Rino K&K CompressionShiloh Legacy Builders, LLCSteve L. Brannan, Attorney PCWatson Packer, L.L.C.Williams & Kirk, Attorneys at Law

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDOA & M Transmission

Automotive Repair ServiceA Gala Event CateringAamco Transmissions & Total CarAftermath Roofing Construction & Renovations IncAir Conditioning and Heating San Antonio TXAlamo Pool BuildersAlbert Casanova’s Custom Homes LLCAll Pro Construction CoAll-In-One Interior & ExteriorAllstate Air and HeatAmpire Electric & AC RefrigerationAquia Pool & SpaArea Wide Termite & Pest ControlAtlas ElectricAyala Custom StoneB & T Construction CompanyBrotherly Roofing & RemodelingChapa’s BakeryConcept Windows, Siding & RoofingCR MotorsDennis Drilling CompanyEcumenical CenterEmpire FmExotic DiamondsG6 ServicesHardy’s Bluff Inc.Henslee Dental TeamHomestead Simplicity Builders, Inc.J and AssociatesJR Guerrero RoofingLaw Office of Roberto Ambrosino, PLLCLeon Valley Flowers and BalloonsMission Nursing and RehabilitationMJ Auto Glass LLCNorthstar Leisure, Inc.Pool Master of San AntonioQuail Ridge RV ParkR.H. Shackelford, Inc.Richard’s Heating and A/CSouthern Comfort Heating & Air ConditioningT.H. Heating and Air ConditioningTellez Law GroupTimberhill VillaTitleist Asset Management, Ltd.Tony Jimenez, III, AttorneyTropical Pool ServiceUrban Expressions Furnishings LLCVisions CPR, First Aid and EMT Training, LLC

Moving Your Business? Keep Your Current Customers!

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Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

May is National Moving Month, the kickoff for the busiest moving season of the year. While relocating may seem like a task related to homeowners, businesses often

choose to move locations for a variety of reasons.

Moving a business isn’t an easy decision, but there are times when it makes sound economic sense. Your business may need more space, more affordable rent or a location with more foot traffic. However, customers who rely on your accessibility may not always appreciate the change.

If you’re considering relocating your business, BBB has the following advice to help keep your current customers and attract new ones:

Let customers know — before and after your move. Communicate with your customers well in advance, in every way possible. Use email lists, your website, direct mail, social media, press releases, signage in your store and neighboring locations. Thank customers for their patronage, give them directions to your new location and let them know when the new location will open and when the current one will close. Find a trustworthy mover. Go to checkbbb.org and type in “movers” to find a list of BBB Accredited Businesses. If you have a specific mover in mind, go to bbb.org and check the company’s BBB Business Review for its rating, complaint history and details regarding those complaints. Make sure the company is licensed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for in-state moves and the U.S. Department of Transportation for interstate moves.

Update your listings. Customers increasingly find businesses based on their results through search engines or a smartphone app, which now often displays local results near the top. Make sure you update (or create) your online listings on all sites that

have high search engine optimization (SEO) rankings. Let BBB know your new location so your online review can be updated with the correct information. Update your own website, as well as any online profile on social media outlets.

Lure current customers to your new location. Give your customers an incentive to visit your new location. Consider offering coupons to reward them for their patronage.

Host an event. One way to attract new and existing customers is by hosting an open house or grand opening event. Offer a sneak preview of your new location to top customers or hold a themed-event, such as a wine night or holiday party.

Alert new customers. Attract new customers to your business by using mobile apps that target consumers based on your location. Send out mailers to let potential customers in your new neighborhood know about your business.

Seek out customers you haven’t seen recently. Your new location might be more convenient for some customers who haven’t purchased from you in a while. Consider making special offers specifically targeted at those customers and letting them know you would love to have their business again.

Better Business Bureau, Inc.1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

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BetterBusinessBureau® Trust Talk | May 2014

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Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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BBB Warns Businesses of Dangers of Identity Theft..........

New Accredited Businesses..…….……............................................

Moving Your Business? Keep your Current Customers......

March Activity Report....................….......................................................

In March 2014, your BBB...Increased total Accredited Business locations to 12,289Provided customers with 230,742 BBB Business Reviews Handled 1,392 disputesHosted 153,841 website visits.Sent 513 Request-A-Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

Revocations Advanced Hearing Care - Failure to maintain required licensing to operate in Texas.

Love Austin Homes, LLC - Failure to cooperate with BBB on advertising matters.

Urgent Lock & Key, LLC- Failure to maintain required licensing to operate in Texas.

In March 2014 your BBB was mentioned 1,210 times by 51 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.

Contact BBB

P: 512.445.4748

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