Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York

Make tax time smooth and secure with these quick tips from BBB: ? Choose a trusted tax preparer – Ensure they have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and sign your return. Avoid “ghost” preparers who refuse to sign! ?? Protect your personal information – Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication and never share sensitive data over email or text. ?? Watch for scams – The IRS will never contact you via phone, email or social media asking for personal info. If it sounds suspicious, it probably is! ??? File securely – Use reputable tax software or a trusted preparer, and avoid filing on public Wi-Fi. For more tax tips, visit https://bit.ly/3YWzpqN. Stay safe this tax season! ? #TaxTips #BBB

?? Welcome Wednesday! ?? We're thrilled to welcome these newly Accredited Businesses of Upstate New York! (This list is current as of 3/03/2025)

??Milestone Monday!?? Happy to spotlight these businesses who have hit their 15 year milestones with BBB Accreditation! Here's to many more! (This list is current as of 3/03/2025)

?? Do you know how to avoid trademark scams? Whether you need to apply for or maintain your trademark, join this free webinar on March 27 at 3pm ET featuring speakers from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Register now: https://bit.ly/4kEZ3L5

Registration open! Monday, April 28 at 11am, BBB is hosting a webinar on cannabis in the workplace and how employers should navigate testing and creating policy for their employees. Presenters include Nellie Brown, Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs at Cornell University, and Erin Torcello, attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. Attendance is free but participants must pre-register using this link: https://bit.ly/4iJHXdd

Congratulations to our winners of the 2025 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics! ???? These organizations demonstrate integrity, outstanding ethical practices and commitment to trust. ?? ?? We are proud to recognize your success! Winners: Comfort Windows Schuler-Haas Electric Corp. Post Trauma Scene Decon Cazbah Total Internet Marketing Solution CannaZip Bags

It’s tax season! Is your business ready to file? Check out these 9 tips to get a handle on your business’s taxes this year. ?? ?? ?? https://bit.ly/4aL7v77

?? Welcome Wednesday! ?? We're thrilled to welcome these newly Accredited Businesses of Upstate New York! (This list is current as of 3/03/2025)

That’s a wrap for the Buffalo Home Show! We had the opportunity to visit with many of our outstanding Accredited Businesses and speak to attendees about how to hire a contractor and avoid home improvement scams. Thanks to all who made this year’s show a success. Looking forward to next year! ??

Have you been contacted by someone pretending to be any of these organizations? These were the top 5?? impersonated organizations of 2024 according to the 2024 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report ?? . If you are ever contacted by one of these impersonators, remember: ?? Stay calm. If you receive any of these impostor calls, resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is or how threatening or intimidating the caller sounds. ? Don't reply directly. Don’t respond to the call, text or email. Instead, call the company or person directly to verify the message that was sent or the phone call received. ? Verify the contact information. Go to the business's website and find the contact information so you can be sure you are dealing with the actual company. ?? Go to the source or get help. When in doubt, call a friend, loved one, or your local BBB to ask for a second opinion. Regardless of what is said in the phone conversation, tell someone. Learn more tips on how to avoid scams by going to BBB.org/ScamTips. If you have been the victim of this or another scam, inform others by filing a report on BBB.org/ScamTracker.