Financial

Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin is warning that it expects to see scammers taking advantage of the recent leak of celebrity photos to trick consumers into clicking links to fraudulent websites. Scammers tend to take advantage of sensational news and public curiosity to spread malware that can lead to identity theft.

Looking for a bargain? The Yoakum Police Department will be auctioning off abandoned and junked vehicles on Saturday, August 30, 2014 starting at 10:00 a.m. at the City of Yoakum Police Impound, located at 101 Baldwin St. in Yoakum. The owners and lien holders, by default, have waived all rights, title and interest in said vehicles; and therefore, the vehicle will be sold at public auction in acco

Opportunities for minority- and woman-owned businesses, and veterans Governor's Small Business Forums, sponsored by the Texas Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and hosted by local partners - Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and UHV Small Business Development Center, are designed to give entrepreneurs and small businesses valuable tools, skills, and knowledge needed to thrive in today

Information sharing has become second-nature to many college students who have grown up in an era of social media, smartphones and widely available internet access. Unfortunately, this also makes students more susceptible as a target for scams and fraud. Identity thieves look to college-age adults because they often have good, clean credit scores. Young adults are also prime targets, not just beca

This is a great time to get help setting up an email account or use one of the Library’s computer skills tutorials including Learning Express Library and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! The Computer Lab is reserved and staffed on Wednesday mornings for self-directed learning about technology topics.

This free workshop focuses on cash generation for small business. Cash is the lifeblood of any business. Learn 5 reasons to grow your cash, 4 ways to increase sales, 4 business practices that impact cash flow, and participate in Big Joe’s Burger Stand case study. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at UHV Small Business Development Center, 3402 N Ben Wilson St in Vic

There's an old Country song titled, "You Gotta Have a License." This is true for any commercial (or non-commercial) radio station in the U.S. Well, a couple in Austin felt that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules regarding licensing for the FM broadcast band didn't apply to them, so they put a "pirate" radio station on the air. That is now going to cost them a sub

The UHV Small Business Development Center is offering their recommended workshop for those considering opening a business on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 starting at 10:00 a.m. If you have a great idea you think could be a successful business--but just don’t know how to get started--this no-cost workshop can help.

Online shopping has become an easy way for consumers to purchase products from the convenience of your computer or portable device. While online shopping allows you to avoid crowds and lines, there are certain risks involved when spending at online retailers. Last year, BBB received over 2,000 complaints against online retailers nationally. Complaints cover a wide range of issues. Some allege the

These days almost every social media outlet allows for private messaging. Even Pinterest recently jumped on the messaging bandwagon. The unfortunate side effect is that scammers are quick to jump on too. When con artists create emails, links or web pages assuming the identity of a trustworthy source and prompt you to share sensitive personal data, it’s called “phishing”. Phishing is big business f

The college fall semester will kick off soon, so now is the time to beware of scams targeting students. Scholarships and financial aid are a great way to help with the high cost of education. Even though finances have already been planned out for the school year, scammers still use this time as an opportunity to take advantage of students and parents. Before you think about last-minute financial a

The back-to-school shopping season is underway, and according the National Retail Federation (NRF), it is second in terms of sales only to the winter holidays. According to NRF’s 2014 Back-to-School Survey, the average family with children in grades K-12 will spend almost $700.00 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics, up five percent from last year’s back to school spending.