Better Business Bureau

Vacation season is now in full swing and chances are you’ll be taking off a few days – maybe more! Smart travelers take time to research lodging choices before hitting the road or taking to the skies, and for good reason. The Better Business Bureau serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming received more than 4,300 inquiries regarding hotels/motels, reservation companies, travel agents and travel clubs

Natural disasters such as tornadoes can bring out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, crises also bring out those who choose to take advantage of the victims. According to the Better Business Bureau, one of the most common "after-disaster" scams involves roofs.

May is National Moving Month and the start of the busiest time of year for changing residences, which means unlicensed movers and dishonest scammers are waiting to take advantage of consumers who aren’t careful. In 2011, Better Business Bureau serving northern Colorado and Wyoming received 4,109 inquiries and 14 complaints regarding movers and moving services.

It’ll soon be summertime and homeowners and apartment dwellers will be opening windows and doors to let in the scents and sounds of the season. Instead of issuing an open-ended invitation to burglars – July and August have the highest rates of burglaries, according to the FBI - consider installing an alarm system to protect your home and loved ones.

As the temperature slowly starts to climb turning on the AC begins to sound like a good idea, the Better Business Bureau reminds consumers of the importance of having their air conditioners serviced. Waiting until the temperature has reached the 90-degree mark only to find out the AC is not working properly can lead to much frustration and wasted money.

Warm weather is here and many consumers are looking to make home improvements while sticking to a budget. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to balance cost effectiveness with energy efficiency, as more efficient windows, doors and skylights can make a big difference in energy consumption over time.

Do you spend weeks each spring eagerly anticipating your income tax refund? When the money finally comes in, is it gone tomorrow? You’re not alone. Many consumers view tax refunds as unplanned bonuses, but it makes more sense to plan for that new chunk of change so it doesn’t go to waste.

Credit is a convenience; it allows you to charge a meal on your credit card, pay for an appliance with an installment plan, or take out a loan to buy a house. With credit you can make a purchase when you don’t have cash, and you can enjoy the purchase while paying for it. However, when dining out or spending the night in a hotel, it’s important to take note of what the banking industry calls an “a

As the busiest time of the year for changing residences approaches, Better Business Bureau and the American Moving & Storage Association encourage you to follow a few simple rules when selecting a moving company. Knowing your rights – and red flags to watch out for – can go a long way toward protecting yourself from becoming a victim of a moving scam.