(November 11, 2008)

Q – Where can we find extra money?

Did you know that there may be money out there that is waiting for you? Money that is yours. As you know each year the Caller Times runs a huge insert that lists people in Texas who have unclaimed funds. Many people look up their name but they go no further than that insert. What about claims in other states? Have you checked unclaimed funds in every state you have lived or that your parents have lived? You might be missing something.

My wife discovered five items for our son in California to claim. Not a lot of money but enough for him to really have a great Christmas. So who knows? Why not check it out. Do this by going to:

unclaimed.org.

Make sure you go to the site sponsored by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators and not to a look-a-like site that wants your money.

Q-What is our scheme of the week?

Another advance fee loan scam

Customers are complaining that Northtown Lending Services promised them a loan with a collateral payment to be made upfront before sending the funds. These payments were to be sent to Canada via Western Union. Customers have also sent personal information by fax (copies of driver's licenses and Social Security cards. After wiring the funds to Canada, customers did not receive the loan within the designated time frame. When calling Northtown Lending Services to check on the status of the loan, customers are told to send another payment by Western Union for insurance-after which the funds would be deposited into the customer's checking account within 24 hours. No one who has contacted the BBB has received a loan or a refund.

Photographer Scheme

Your BBB has processed 62 complaints against Intimate Memoriez Photography of San Antonio. According to consumer complaints, this company has failed to deliver wedding negatives, photographs, albums and DVDs to customers who have paid hundreds of dollars for wedding packages. Many of the brides say they contracted with the company at bridal shows.

The BBB offers the following suggestions to prospective brides and grooms: Ask for photographer recommendations from family, friends and co-workers. Check with the BBB for reports on the photographers you are considering. Ask for references and talk to previous clients. A photographer who is reluctant to provide references is questionable. For details go to our web site www.bbb.org.