The document provides information about new features and services from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Greater Cleveland. It summarizes a new "Scam Tracker" feature that allows users to search scams reported locally and nationally. It also warns about a new version of ransomware called CryptoWall 3.0 and provides tips on protecting against it. Additionally, it highlights business reviews, community reports, and member discounts available through the BBB.

1. ors
MarketMonitor
the News for Better Business Bureau Accredited Businesses
BBB Serving Greater Cleveland April 2015
INSIDE: Door To Door Reps “Booked” Before Delivery
Dynamic Seal Infographic
New Board Member B2B Discounts Spread The News◊
◊
◊
BBB Launches New “Scam Tracker”
Imposter scams, phony sweepstakes, fraudulent
loan and grant offers, fake rental listings,
romance ripoffs..the list goes on and on. BBB
has launched a new feature that tracks
scams reported locally and gives you an easy
way to report them to us.
BBB “Scam Tracker” creates an online repository
of scams reported by consumers nationwide.
You can search by the type or name of the scam
and also see what is trending. Details of
the scam are included as shown below:
Scam Type - Romance Scam
Scam Name - Romance, Online Scam
Total Dollars Lost - $3,000.00
Scam Description
Love and Seek website. In Cairo Egypt, they told me they were starving and they asked
me to send some money. So I did. After 3-4 months, I told them I wanted my money back,
and I conversed with them, and I still haven’t had the money back then. Fake love scam.
Have a scam to report? Or just want to see what is happening in our area?
Visit bbb.org/scamtracker/cleveland.
Ransomware Alert: Action Needed
In January, a new version of the CryptoWall ransomware began circulating after being
dormant for several months. When installed, CryptoWall 3.0 encrypts all your data and then
leaves a ransom note. Once infected, you have three unpleasant options: recover from a
recent backup, rebuild your systems and live without the lost data, or pay the $500 ransom to
get the decryption tools and key. BBB advises:
• Have your IT shop review your patching and backup procedures. Your best first defense
from this attack is up-to-date software. Version 3.0 relies on weaknesses in other software
on your system. Of particular concern are browsers and plugins to browsers, such as Adobe
(Acrobat Reader, Flash Player, Shockwave Player), Java, Windows Media Player, etc.
• The only real recovery option is a recent backup. Version 3.0 will encrypt files on any
Windows drive mapped as a letter – that is C:, D:, etc. This includes network shares inside
your organization and cloud drives like DropBox if you have them mapped as a letter drive.
• Since this version of CryptoWall will attack any letter mapped drive, it is important to review
where your backups reside. If the malware has access to your data and your backup, then
there is no recovery path. Consider keeping a copy of your backups off the network, if you do
not do so already.
Service to the
Community
Greater Cleveland BBB
Activity Report From
January - March 2015
Reports issued on
companies/charities.................314,480
Customer complaints filed.............1,968
Online Accredited Business Directory
listings viewed........................3,815,827
bbb.org/cleveland visits..............245,237
Advertising review cases initiated........89
The Short List
Tips to Spring Clean your
Business
Update your website and social media
content to remove obsolete services
and add new ones. Check links for
“dead ends”.
Review and securely destroy any
obsolete documents containing
personally identifying information
(payroll records, invoices, etc.)
Hint: Attend BBB’s free
shredding events at RadAir
locations in Solon and Parma
Heights on April 25th.
Make sure your computer
files and data you store for
customers are secure. Update
all software and run security
scans.
Review internal and external
company policies and
handbooks.
Organize/delete emails. You
can use your email program’s
searches, labels and filters to
sort through messages.
Review service providers
(phones, shipping, printing, etc).
Any changes needed? Can you get
better pricing?

2. Follow Us On:
Meet a New Director
BBB welcomes Jon Lief to the BBB Board of Directors. Jon is
President of Lux Gems USA, an online division of Great Lakes
Gems.
Jon is a Cleveland State University graduate and co-author (with
BBB Director, Hal Becker) of “What You Want – A Fun, Upbeat,
and Fresh Approach to Negotiating.”
He is a member of America Jewelers Association, The Ohio
Jewelers Guild, and the American Gem Trade Association. Jon
enjoys being an advisor to the Shaker Heights High School track
team.
April 2015
In recent weeks, consumers in the Cleveland area have
reported the same story to BBB - they paid Millennium
Sales in full for magazines or books last Fall but never
received their orders.
According to consumers, sales reps for Millennium Sales
cited various organizations and individuals would benefit
from the book and magazine sales. Some reps claimed
sales would benefit Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital,
orphanages, schools, or would help the rep earn points
towards a scholarship. At least three consumers reported
receiving additional invoices after they paid in full.
Consumers calling the company receive only a recorded voice message and are unable to leave a
message. Millennium Sales has over 370 complaints on file at BBB and an “F” rating.
Traveling Sales Crews Pitfalls - Often, high school and college students and young adults are recruited
by traveling sales crews and are transported out of town to knock on doors and sell magazines, candy
and other items. They may claim your purchase will help them get a scholarship, pay for educational
expenses, or other seemingly worthwhile purpose.
Consumer complaints typically concern non-receipt of ordered items, feeling pressured to purchase,
sales misrepresentations and failure to honor cancellations. In Ohio, you have a three day “cooling
off” period to cancel a purchase made at your home that costs $25 or more.
If you are solicited at your door, BBB offers the following advice:
• Always research the company with your Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/cleveland
before agreeing to purchase.
• Check with your local City Hall to determine if the sales crew has any required permits
to solicit door-to-door in your neighborhood.
• Don’t purchase products based solely upon the sales rep’s “hard luck story” or to
help him/her win a scholarship or other prize. These sales claims may not be true.
• Victims of fraudulent magazine or book sales can file a complaint with Better
Business Bureau at bbb.org/cleveland. You can also contact your local police
department and the Ohio Attorney General - who may be able to “throw the
book” at them.
Consumers Claim Door-to-Door Reps Sold Books -
Then “Booked” Without Delivering
NEW! Office Depot-
Discounts up to 10%
on many of your office
needs, with special
pricing on copying
and printing. Go to
bit.ly/bbbohdepo or
call Jessica @ 216-842-
7514 for details.
FedEx- Earn up to
26% discounts on
shipping and office
services with the FedEx
Advantage Program.
Free to enroll. Go to:
advantagemember.
visionary.com/6920/
to sign up. Passcode is
39HF6R (case sensitive).
Pre-Employment
Background Reports
- Online criminal checks for
$15.95 each. Other reports
also discounted. Call IntelliCorp
at (800) 539-3717.
Document Shredding - All
Ohio Secure Shred will shred
documents on site for $25/month
for one container. Also, one-time
bulk purge for 10 cents/lb. $50
minimum. Call (330) 659-0840 or
(888) 747-3394.
Some member discount programs
generate revenue which BBB reinvests
into the organization’s operations.
Mark Your Calendar for our
Shred Day Event!
B2B Discounts for
BBB Accredited
Businesses

3. Start Spreading
The News
Is your business celebrating a
milestone anniversary...or hosting
a special event..opening a new
location, perhaps?
We will help you spread the
news on Facebook and Twitter
#1- Visit bbb.org/cleveland
#2- Find the links at the bottom
of the page to our Facebook and
Twitter accounts.
#3 Like / follow us, then share
your news with us.
We will spread the good word
from there.
®
Sign Up For Free
BBB Scam Alerts!
Learn about scams within
hours of when they break.
Text SCAM
to 24587
There is
no fee to
sign up for
BBB Scam
Alerts,
but your
carrier’s text
messaging
rates do apply.

4. The Market Monitor
Better Business Bureau
2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl.
Cleveland, OH 44115-2408
The Market Monitor (ISSN 1085-5122). April 2015. Volume 11 No. 2. Published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Better Business Bureau, Inc. 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Floor, Cleveland,
OH 44115-2408, Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Market Monitor, 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl, Cleveland, OH 44115-2408.
Periodicals Postage Paid
April 2015
BBB congratulates the following
Accredited Businesses for taking 1st
place in their denoted categories at
this year’s “Contractor of the Year”
awards presented by NARI.
Jemm Construction, LLC
Residential Addition Under $50,000
Residential Bath $15,000 - $30,000
Hurst Design-Build-Remodeling
Residential Addition $100,000 - $175,000
Residential Interior $175,000 - $250,000
R.B. Schwartz Inc.
Residential Bath $45,000 - $60,000
Absolute Roofing & Construction Inc.
Residential Exterior Specialty
Dover Home Remodelers
Residential Interior over $250,000
F.A. Makoski Construction Co., Inc.
Residential Kitchen $45,000 - $60,000
Residential Kitchen $60,000 - $100,000
Investor Education To Fight Fraud
BBB Serving Greater Cleveland (BBB) and the FINRA Investor
Education Foundation have partnered to turn consumers into
“Fraud Fighters.” The “Trick$ of the Trade” presentation provides
insight into the persuasion tactics used by con artists.
Watch compelling stories of victims, learn how to spot fraud and
get the tools you need to make sure you aren’t the next victim.
This 30-minute audio/visual presentation is being offered at no
charge.
Attendees go home with great giveaways, too! If your group
would like to schedule a Trick$ of the Trade event, please contact:
Sue McConnell (216) 623-8960 sue@cleveland.bbb.org