Better Business Bureau of. Saskatchewan, Inc. The Echo

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1 Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, Inc. The Echo Better Business Bureau Sees a Huge Drop in Reports of IRS/Canada Revenue Agency Scam Since Raid in India Mumbai police shut down call center, arrest 70 suspects The top scam reported to the Better Business Bureau is the tax scam (also known as the CRA scam), which has accounted for about one in four reports to BBB Scam Tracker during its first year of operation. But BBB has seen a dramatic drop in new reports on this scam since police in Mumbai, India, raided a call center earlier this month. The tax scam involves call center con artists posing as IRS agents in the U.S. and Canadian Revenue agents in Canada. They threaten their targets with financial penalties, lawsuits, and even arrest if they don t pay the back taxes they supposedly owe. In a typical week, BBB Scam Tracker receives approximately 200 reports on tax scams. That number has dropped to just 11 reports of this scam in the past week, nearly a 95% decline. Go to bbb.org/taxscam for BBB s tips and a recording of a tax scam robocall We are delighted with this news, said Mary E. Power, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, which manages BBB Scam Tracker with support from local BBBs across North America. We appreciate the efforts of the Mumbai police and the law enforcement agencies they worked with to close down this operation that has cost American and Canadian consumers millions of dollars. To immediately see the success of this raid reflected in our BBB Scam Tracker data is really remarkable, and validates our belief in the importance of using reports from the public to better understand the scam landscape notes Emma Fletcher, manager of BBB Scam Tracker. But we know from past experience that scammers are opportunists. Hopefully this crew won t be stealing from anyone again for a long while. But we will be keeping an eye on incoming scam reports so we can alert consumers what the next big thing in scams turns out to be. According to news reports, there were 770 employees working at the Mumbai call center when the midnight raid was conducted; 70 were charged with fraud and other crimes as a result of the raid. Special points of interest: Network Events this month: November 8 th : Lunch at Smiley s Buffet, 702 Circle Drive East, November 9 th : Buffet Lunch and guest speaker at the Four Seasons 909 Arcola Avenue, Regina RSVP: events@sask.bbb.org November 2016 November 11: Our office will be closed for Rememberance Day Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan 980 Albert Street, Regina SK S4R 2P7 Website: info@sask.bbb.org Inside this issue: BBB Tips for Remembrance Day Charitable Giving BBB Luncheon Info 2 Social Media Information Welcome Mat 3 SK Pension Plan featuring guest speaker CAMVAP 4 Board & BBB Staff 5 For your information

2 Page 2 BBB Tips for Remembrance Day Charitable Giving Remembrance Day brings out the flags, the touching tributes and the heartfelt thanks of a nation. But it also brings out requests for charitable donations. There are numerous organizations that ask for money to help veterans programs in Canada around Remembrance Day, but also through towards Christmas and the holiday season. People should be alert for scams that prey on your desire to give. Do a little research first, to ensure that your donations get not only where they are needed but where you wanted them to go. BBB offers the following tips when giving to military-affiliated or veteran s organizations. Mistaken Identity: Watch out for name confusion. Scam charities often use virtually the same name, logos and wording to fool unsuspecting donors. Clear Program Description: Look for clear descriptions of the organization s programs and policies. Ask and look for information about how the money is allocated and where it is going. Telemarketing: Telemarketing can be costly for an organization unless carefully managed. If you are called, don t hesitate to ask for written information on a charity s programs, policies or finances before making a decision. On the spot donations: Be careful with excessive pressure in fundraising. Don t be pressured to make an immediate on the spot donation. Charities should welcome any gift whenever if comes in. Non-monetary donations: Find out how a charity benefits from collections of items such as clothes or food. Not everyone can afford to give money. But many organizations are looking for other things, including your time. Research: Before donating any time, money or items, check them out with BBB, Canadian Revenue Agency and online to feel confident in your donating decision. Join us for the latest news at one of our BBB Networking Luncheons! Join us on November 8 at Smiley s Buffet, 702 Circle Drive East, at 12:00 pm, as well as on November 9 at Four Seasons, 909 Arcola Avenue, Regina at 11:45, to enjoy guest speaker Gail Genest, and also to learn about the NEW BBB services you can use to help increase your profile and consumer awareness in the Saskatchewan marketplace.

3 Page 3 Like, share and follow your local Better Business Bureau! On Facebook: Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, Inc. On Twitter: On Linkedin: Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, Inc. Check out the Network Bonus Plan! As an Accredited Business you are entitled to privileges from other Accredited Businesses. For more information, visit the following link: Welcome Mat New Accredited Businesses for the month Duct Man Furnace & Duct Cleaning Roadway Auto and Sport Inc Square One Coaching The Kiputer Store by RCS Worry Free Bookkeeping Inc. Regina Kipling

4 Workplace Pensions and the Saskatchewan Pension Plan Page 4 Guest speaker for the November 9 th Regina lunch - Gail Genest Saskatchewan Pension Plan was created in 1986 to allow all workers to have a pension plan. In today s business world, The Saskatchewan Pension Plan is also an affordable way for small businesses to compete with big companies for employee hiring incentives. All businesses can have a Pension Plan through the Saskatchewan Pension Plan, and it can be implemented by any business for little or no cost. This is a great way for individuals to ensure they are saving at work, utilize the Saskatchewan Pension Plan, and create future savings, all because their employer and SPP have been willing to provide them with this opportunity. Join Gail Genest, Manager of Business Development for Saskatchewan Pension Plan, for an informative presentation on how Business Owners have the power to incorporate this SPP pension incentive into their hiring and retention portfolios! CAMVAP What Is The Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP)? CAMVAP is a program that allows disputes between consumers and vehicle manufacturers to be resolved through binding arbitration. Disputes about alleged defects in the assembly of a vehicle or implementation of the new vehicle warranty are eligible for arbitration under the CAMVAP program. CAMVAP is available at no charge to the consumer and can be accessed in all Provinces and Territories in Canada. CAMVAP is an effective way to settle disputes. An independent and neutral arbitrator is assigned to each dispute and makes a decision that is fair to both the vehicle owner and the vehicle manufacturer. Who Can Use CAMVAP? CAMVAP is available to owners and lessees of new and used vehicles. Vehicles owned by businesses may be eligible if they meet the program s eligibility requirements. How Does CAMVAP Work? You agree to submit your dispute to an arbitrator for a decision. The arbitrator will hold a hearing where they will listen to both your side and the manufacturer s side of the dispute. After considering all the evidence presented by both you and the manufacturer, the arbitrator will make a decision that is final and binding. In some instances, the consumer and manufacturer may be able to settle the dispute before going to arbitration. The BBB administers the CAMVAP for more information regarding this program please contact or Regina

5 Page 5 Volunteers BBB Board of Directors DON RAMAGE CHAIR FocalPoint Business Coaching ALLAN MILLHAM VICE CHAIR-DirectWest Corporation BIM PANDYA PAST CHAIR-Conexus Art Centre MARTY COBB SECRETARY Motor Safety Association of Saskatchewan JIM DEANE TREASURER Access Communications Cooperative ROBERT MILLAR LEGAL COUNSEL McDougall Gauley LLP ARLENE ROBLIN JonesE Property Maintenance STEVE LAUGHLIN Regina Accounting Service CHRIS McCANNELL McCannell Financial Group Ltd. TRACY DUFF Skye Planning Group Inc. JIM NICHOLS Housemaster Home Inspections RON VILLENEUVE Quality Hearing Centre BBB OFFICE STAFF Karen L. Smith, CEO - ksmith@sask.bbb.org Michelle Phillips, Operations Manager - michelle@sask.bbb.org Jody Halladay, Senior Dispute Consultant - Investigations info@sask.bbb.org Lisa Abbasi, Publications and Communications Coordinator and Ad Review - Lisa@sask.bbb.org Sharon Mula, Administrative Assistant - admin@sask.bbb.org Office Toll-free or ACCREDITED BUSINESS CONSULTANTS Northern Marketing and Sales Ron Jacobs Direct Line Toll Free bbbsask@shaw.ca Doug Birkmaier d.birkmaier@sasktel.net For your Information Coming up Events: Monthly Networking events Every second Tuesday in Every second Wednesday in Regina RSVP to events@sask.bbb.org Interested in Volunteering? Call Karen Southern Marketing and Sales Dave Scheirer dave@davescheirer.com Bob Hunko bhunko@sasktel.net Tom Wendel Phone tomwendel.bbb@sasktel.net AB Networking Events: - 2nd Tuesday Noon -1:00pm Smileys Buffet 702 Circle Drive East RSVP - Ron Jacobs bbbsask@shaw.ca Register at Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, Inc. 980 Albert Street Regina, SK S4R 2P AB Line info@sask.bbb.org Regina 2nd Wednesday 11:45 am - 1pm Featured Guest Speaker from Saskatchewan Pension Plan Four Seasons Restaurant 909 E Arcola Avenue Buffet Lunch $13.95 *Trade-mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus used under license