April 15, 2008

Q- What is a good day for consumers to research power companies?
A- There are two great places Internet sites to check.
www.bbb.org To check the customer experience record of electric companies.
www.powertochoose.org This site is operated by the Texas Public Utilities Commission.
The Texas Electric Choice Web site above is where you can learn about electric competition, current rates and obtain information to help you make informed decisions about your electricity service and Retail Electric Provider.

Q- What's our scheme of the week?
A - Our subject is phony charity solicitations. Our office received a call from the executive director of the Habitat for the Humanities. She reported that a local business informed her that an individual had approached the business on behalf of the Habitat for the Humanities for the purpose of selling the business an ad in a magazine. The ads were supposedly two business card size ads for $45.00. The ads were to be in a magazine of some sort. The Habitat for the Humanities knew of no such fund raising activity. The business, unfortunately, made their check out to the individual. It was quickly cashed.

Two lessons to learn from this:
- First, never make out a check for a charity in the name of an individual.
-Second, verify the identity of charity solicitors and legitimacy of their solicitation by contacting the charity office they supposedly represent.

Unfortunately, their occurrence is not uncommon . We often receive calls at the BBB concerning individuals soliciting donations for their own use by using the name of respected charities.