October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Burnsville, Minnesota– October 12, 2017 –October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a great time for both citizens and businesses to take stock of their online security measures. Cyber threats targeting personal and business interests continue to increase and it’s important to take whatever steps you can to secure your technology, data and personal information. Better Business Bureau® of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) offers tips for individuals and businesses to consider implementing.

“We know there’s no way to completely guarantee one’s safety from online threats,” said Susan Adams Loyd, President and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “But we also know there are ways you can decrease your exposure.”

For consumers, the best ways to stay safe online include:

·         Protecting your computer – A computer should always have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.

·         Avoiding suspicious links and attachments – Scammers often seek to spread malware and viruses via email, sometimes sending emails from friends or relatives whose accounts have been hacked. Don’t click on any suspicious links or attachments – especially ZIP files. Even from people you know.

·         Sticking to trustworthy websites – Check on the seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction at bbb.org. Look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized “trust marks” on retailer websites. Always remember to click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.

·         Guarding your personal information – Take the time to read the privacy policy of websites you visit and understand what personal information is being collected and how it will be used. If you don’t see one posted, be aware your information may be sold to others without your permission.

·         Confirming your online purchases are secure – Shoppers should always look in their web address bar for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying.

BBB also offers tips on cyber safety for businesses, as well:

·         Watch out for spear-phishing attacks – Scammers will sometime create emails which appear to be from a top company official and request cash transfers or sensitive personal information of company employees. Have a failsafe system in place and train your employees to verify all such requests.

·         Be wary of suspicious links and attachments – Just as they do with consumers, scammers often seek to infiltrate business databases by sending emails containing links or attachments which could download dangerous malware. It’s important to have a secure firewall and strong spam filters. When in doubt, suspect emails should be reviewed by IT professionals.

·         Take inventory of the types of data your business collects - If you collect data that can be reasonably linked to a specific customer, computer or device (e.g., cookie data), consider it personal data. Classify information according to privacy risk, paying particular attention to sensitive categories such as Social Security numbers, credit card or other financial information, and location data.

·         Scale down - Collect and store only the data you need to run your business and to meet legal requirements. You may be able to eliminate data elements you don’t need by changing default settings in your online forms or database software. Remember, you have a responsibility to protect all personal data you collect, so limit your burden and your risk.

·         Lock it up - Review your data security practices to ensure you’re protecting customer data from identity theft and cyber threats.

For further details on different ways small businesses can secure their data and the personal and financial information of their stakeholders, visit bbb.org/council/for-businesses/toolkits/data-privacy-for-small-businesses/.

MN Dept of Revenue debuts centralized online Business Center

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The first week of May is National Small Business Week. To mark the week, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is highlighting the online resources it offers businesses by launching a new online Business Center. Businesses and organizations of all sizes and types can now find business tax information and resources -- including fact sheets, industry guides, forms, and training information -- in one central location on the department’s website.

“We strive to provide taxpayers with the information they need to comply with the state’s tax laws. The new online Business Center consolidates information and resources into a central location, making it easier for businesses to find the tax information they need,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “We are always looking to improve our customer service. The Business Center is just one of the ways we are doing that for our business tax customers.”

The new online Business Center includes some of the following features:

• Starting a business – Basic tax information for people who are starting a business.
• Register for a Minnesota Tax ID number – What is a Minnesota Tax ID number? How do I register?
• File and Pay Tax – What is e-Services? How do I sign up? Information on filing returns and making payments.
• Education and Outreach – Free education by tax type including classroom training, online training, webinars, and videos.
• Resources for Businesses – A variety of tools including business guidebooks, fact sheets, industry guides, tax type calculators, forms and instructions.
• Closing an Account/Closing a Business – What you need to know.
• Consolidated due date calendar – This feature will be added in the near future and will make it easy for business customers to find a list of due dates for various business tax types.

Customers can access the new Business Center by clicking the link or by going to our website (www.revenue.state.mn.us) and entering business center into the search box.

Get the latest news and updates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook and Twitter or by signing up for our email subscription list.

BBB’s Tips for Shopping Safely Online

Burnsville, Minnesota– November 24, 2015 –After Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, many shoppers go online to check out Cyber Monday specials. According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers expect to do almost half of their holiday shopping online this year. Cyber Monday, the Monday after Black Friday, has grown popular among consumers in recent years, as they look to take advantage of post-holiday sales some retailers offer. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota ® (BBB) offers their top ten tips for people looking to shop online, be it on Cyber Monday – November 30 – or throughout the busy holiday season:

1. Protect your computer – Your computer should always have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.

2. Stick to trustworthy websites – Research the seller’s reputation and track record for customer satisfaction at bbb.org. Look for BBB’s seal and other widely-recognized “trust marks” on retailer websites. Always remember to click on the seals to confirm that they are valid and check out customer reviews online, including those offered by Better Business Bureau.

3. Protect your personal information – Take the time to read the privacy policy of websites you visit and understand what personal information is being collected and how it will be used. If you don’t see a privacy policy posted, be aware your information may be sold without your permission.

4. Beware of deals that sound too good to be true – Offers found on less-traveled websites and in unsolicited emails sometimes advertise suspiciously low prices. When visiting a website, look for misspellings and grammatical errors, as these are signs the site might be fraudulent. Trust your instincts and be leery of unsolicited emails, as they may contain viruses or malware. Don’t be afraid to pass up “great deals” that might wind up costing you dearly instead of saving you money.

5. Beware of phishing – Legitimate businesses do not send emails claiming problems with an order or a past transaction to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. If a consumer receives such an email, BBB recommends picking up the phone and calling the retailer you dealt with or your credit card provider to get to the bottom of the matter. Stay calm, don’t panic and always be protective of your personal and financial information.

6. Confirm your online purchase is secure – Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying.

7. Pay with a credit card – It’s often best to use a credit card, because under federal law, the shopper can dispute the charge if he or she doesn’t receive the item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on their credit card or merchandise they receive is damaged.

8. Keep documentation of your order - After completing the online order process, there should be a final confirmation page or the shopper might receive confirmation by email. Save a copy of that as well as any emails for future reference and as a record of your purchase.

9. Check your credit card statements often – Don’t wait for paper statements; BBB recommends consumers check their credit card statements for suspicious activity by checking statements online regularly or by calling their credit card companies if fraud is suspected.

10. Know your rights – By law, a seller should ship your order within the time stated in its ads or over the phone. If the seller doesn’t promise a time, you can expect the item to be shipped within 30 days. If the seller is unable to ship within the promised time, they must notify you, provide a revised shipping date and offer you the chance to cancel for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.

Complainants say PerfectTix.com has Spotty Record of Customer Service

Burnsville, Minnesota – October 3, 2013 – The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is issuing an alert about PerfectTix.com, an online ticket broker based in downtown Minneapolis. The BBB has given the company an “F” rating due to a pattern of complaints involving customer service and seven complaints being closed as unanswered.

“People turn to this company – and others like it – when they’re desperate to see a game, a theater production or a performer in concert,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “However, the secondary ticket market generally always involves increased costs and, sometimes, increased risk.”

On their website, PerfectTix.com states they “specialize in hard to get concert tickets for “Sold Out” shows and sporting events.” Complaints against the company allege that the cost of tickets purchased were higher than expected due to service fees and undisclosed taxes – which some customers state weren’t assessed until after the original credit card transaction had closed. In some cases, customers state they were quoted a ‘per ticket’ price and then discovered later that the quoted costs did not include service fees. Some complainants allege their calls and emails to the company were not returned. Others allege they were treated rudely by company personnel.

PerfectTix.com has responded to and resolved three of the ten complaints filed against them. In their responses, the company stated that in some cases they’re acting as a broker and any service fees assessed were assessed by the third party entity the tickets were actually purchased from. They also cited a policy they say all customers agree to wherein all sales are final.

When searching for tickets at a given venue online, consumers should make sure they’re visiting the official website for that venue. Sometimes general Internet searches will bring you to secondary ticket websites which may sell tickets to games or performances at that particular venue, but are not directly associated with them. These tickets will generally always cost more.

Consumers should also be aware that prices for tickets purchased on the secondary market can be significantly higher than the ticket's actual face value. The BBB recommends that potential customers thoroughly review and understand the policies on pricing, cancellation, refunds and service fees before making a commitment to purchase.

Other tips for consumers searching online for event tickets include:

Research the company at bbb.org

Before buying from an online ticket broker, look for the BBB logo on the website and click on it to make sure it is real. The BBB’s dynamic seal should take you directly to the BBB Business Review. Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. 

If you buy tickets through an online auction site, choose a seller with a long history of satisfied customers. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure the seller has recently sold other tickets. 

Ticket buyers also should be wary of sellers who try to lure buyers from a legitimate site to another site for a “private” transaction. Scammers often want to conduct their business on sites with names that mimic well-known companies but are actually fakes.

If you are buying tickets through an online classified ad site, never pay the seller by wire transfer. You will have no way to get your money back if the tickets do not arrive or are counterfeit.

Online learners offered field experience at Aug. 11 deer clinic

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites women and men who have completed Minnesota’s new virtual online firearms safety certification range and field day to attend Deer Day on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Deer Day is a great complement to the new online adult hunter education course and virtual field day.  Deer Day provides hands-on experiences with a variety of firearms and basics of how to hunt deer.

The event, hosted by the DNR’s Becoming An Outdoors Family program, will be from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on the Wilkens Farm near Mora in Kanabec County. Youth, ages 10 and older, are welcomed to attend accompanied by a guardian.

“The deer hunting clinic is an excellent opportunity for individuals who chose the virtual range and field day option to have one-on-one time with instructors to handle firearms, target shoot and and gain insights into deer biology and hunting.” said Linda Bylander, coordinator of the DNR’s Becoming An Outdoors Woman program. “Though open to all ages 10 and older, this hunting clinic places a premium on assisting women and families in a supportive and friendly environment.”

Register for the deer clinic by emailing Linda Bylander at linda.bylander@state.mn.us.

Registration is limited. Lunch will be served.

The virtual online firearms course takes about nine hours to complete and is interactive with narration, quizzes and final exam. Information about the course and other safety classes is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/safety.

Online firearms safety hunter course now available for adults

Minnesota residents 18 and older can now take the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ firearms (DNR) safety hunter education course online.

The new training option includes a virtual field day that emphasizes responsible gun handling and hunting safety. Students who complete the course are issued a voucher that they can use to complete their certification immediately or attend an instructor led field day.

“This will greatly increase certification accessibility to working adults and military personnel who traditionally have conflicts trying to scheduling a multi-week classroom course,” said Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement education program coordinator.

Minnesota and Iowa are the first states to offer this option for adults. The online course takes about nine hours to complete and is interactive with narration, quizzes and final exam. Both the main course and field day include a virtual range where students can shoot various firearms and action types at a variety of targets and distances. There’s even instruction on how to properly sight-in rifles and pattern a shotgun.

“This is a great addition to our computer based adult safety training programs,” Hammer said. “We think it will be a huge success and create even more safe hunters.”

http://www.huntercourse.com/usa/minnesota/