At least one Roanoker has fallen victim to a secret shopping scam targeting the area, costing her $1,815, according to the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia.

A company pretending to be Global Test Market in Rhode Island has been recruiting shoppers in the area to be “customer service evaluators,” according to a statement from the BBB.  Global Test Market is a legitimate company, but it is based in Washington and has been alerting consumers on its website that its name is being used in the scam.

The job offer looks professional, the BBB said, and includes a schedule of secret shopping at Valley View Mall and names of other secret shoppers.

But before conducting secret shopping at retailers, the scammers tell recruits they will be evaluating the security and efficiency of MoneyPaks – prepaid cards that are used in place of wiring money. The scammers send its recruits a fraudulent check for up $4,000 and ask that it is deposited in the recruit’s bank account. The recruit is then supposed to take most of money (keeping a small percentage as their “salary”) and buy MoneyPaks, or another form of a prepaid card, and call the company with the card numbers. The scammers retrieve the money from the cards before the recruit is notified by their bank that the check has bounced.

Julie Wheeler, president of the BBB Serving Western Virginia, called the scam sophisticated and said the scammers have done enough work to make the offer look legitimate.

“It is very elaborate,” Wheeler said.

The BBB offers these tips to avoid becoming the victim of a secret shopping scam:

• Look for reputable firms that qualify and train mystery shoppers to perform specific evaluations.
• Ignore claims that you will make big profits easily.
• Be cautious of unsolicited e-mails or letters offering “work-from-home”
• Be wary of work-at-home companies that require up-front fees. Never give them your credit card or bank account numbers.
• Never wire money. Wiring money is the same as sending cash. Once the money is gone it is very difficult, if not impossible, to recover.
• Check out the company’s BBB Business Review athttp://www.bbb.org to see its BBB rating, complaint history and more.
• Visit the Mystery Shopping providers Association (MSPA) website at www.mysteryshop.org for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general.

This graph shows the Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), Index of Consumer Current Conditions (ICC) and Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE) in six regions. Image courtesy of Roanoke College

Virginians are feeling less confident about the economy now than they were in November, according to poll by Roanoke College’s Institute for Policy and Opinion Research

The poll surveyed 700 Virginians from across the state and asked how they felt about spending and their thoughts on the future of prices.

The Virginia Index of Consumer Sentiment (consumer confidence) is down 6 points from November, to 75, according to the institute. Of the 32 percent of Virginians who reported being financially worse off today compared to a year ago, 47 percent attributed it to higher prices and 36 percent attributed it a decreased income. The poll found that 27 percent of those surveyed said they were better off now than they were a year ago because of and increase in income.

Many of those polled expect to pay higher prices for goods in the next year. In November, Virginians estimated prices would increase by 2.2 percent in the next year. Now, those surveyed said they expect prices of goods to increase 3.5 percent in a year, according to the institute.

Not surprisingly, those surveyed in northern Virginia and the Tidewater area were more optimistic, and reported stronger consumer confidence than other regions in the commonwealth. (See chart in this post for a breakdown).

The findings are in line with a drop in consumer confidence nationally, a decrease the institute attributes to the sequestration and debt debate.

What would you say about your financial situation now compared to a year ago? Do you expect to see prices of goods increase a year from now? How has your consumer confidence played into decisions you’ve made recently about spending money, whether it be for food, a new pair of shoes, a new car, or on a vacation?

Roanoke’s Fresh Market at Towers Shopping Center is now accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, according to a spokeswoman for the company.

The specialty grocery store joins Kroger, Food Lion, the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op, the Roanoke City Farmer’s Market and the West End Community Market, all of which accept SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits.

According to data from the U.S Department of Agriculture, 46.7 million people used SNAP in 2012, up from 19 million in 2002. In Virginia, 933,462 people received the benefit as of October 2012. That’s up from 896,420 a year earlier. (Click here to see a list of participation by state.)

The average monthly benefit per Virginian was $128 in 2012, up from $93.26 in 2008.(Click here to see a list of state averages.)

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase most foods, but not alcohol, cigarettes, toiletries, vitamins, medicine, pet food, household items, hot food or food eaten in a store. Click here to see a list of eligible items.

Have you ever seen a bogus charge appear on your credit or debit card statement?

It happened to me about two years ago. Someone had used my card to purchase tickets to a Canadian theater. I disputed the charge with my bank and canceled the credit card, but it made me more cautious about making purchases online, because I suspect that’s where someone obtained my account number.

Although online shopping is more popular than ever, judging by the increase in online sales this holiday season, some 12 percent of consumers still don’t shop online partly because they worry about fraud and privacy, according to a recent survey by Javelin Strategy & Research, a financial services and consulting firm. The other big detractor from online shopping is that consumers want to see the merchandise before they buy it, the survey found.

Of those 12 percent:

• 32 percent of consumers want to see the merchandise to avoid returns
• 26 percent of consumers are worried that their personal information will be used fraudulently
• 21 percent are concerned about the security of their credit or debit card accounts
• 20 percent believe shipping costs are too high
• 18 percent fear that their personal information will be sold to other retailers

For those concerned about their bank account information being stolen, there are alternatives. You might remember I reported that PayPal has come out with a prepaid Mastercard. Consumers buy the cards at CVS, Rite Aid and Dollar General stores, where they can load money onto the cards. PayPal has another service, Bill Me Later, which essentially allows consumers to buy online using a line of credit issued to them through Bill Me Later. That service is only available with participating online retailers, and it carries a 20 percent APR.

If you shop online do you take extra steps to protect your bank accounts? If you don’t shop online, why not?

Target has it, Walmart has it, Macy’s has it, Kohl’s has it – you name the retailer and they most likely offer a credit card for its stores.

But which ones are worth signing up for and using?

MyBankTracker.com, a website to educate consumers, names Target’s REDcard, Kohl’s credit card and Amazon’s Visa as worthwhile credit cards.

The REDcard, the website says, is worthy because it has no annual fee and gives card holders a 5 percent discount on their purchase every time the card is used. It also means free shipping on online purchases and an extra 30 days for returns. The downside, the site says, is 22 percent APR.

Kohl’s credit card also has no annual fee and gives cardholders monthly discounts from 15 to 30 percent off. It carries a 22 percent APR.

Amazon.com Rewards Visa was noted for its point system. Users earn three points for every dollar spent at Amazon.com, two points per dollar at gas stations, restaurants and drugstores and one point per dollar on all other purchases. The points can be redeemed for discounts on Amazon.com purchases, cash, gift cards and travel. Its APR ranged from 13 percent to 21 percent depending on the card holder’s credit history.

In other card news, PayPal has come out with a prepaid Mastercard that allows consumers to load money onto the card so they can shop online without using a regular credit or debit card. The cards are available at CVS, Rite Aid, and Dollar General Stores.

Which credit cards would you add to MyBankTracker.com’s list?

Kohl’s announced this week it anticipates hiring more than 52,700 associates nationwide this holiday season, up more than 10 percent from last year to support holiday business in stores and growth in e-commerce in 2012.

That’s 41 associates per store, an increase of four percent over 2011, to provide shoppers with customer service throughout the holiday season at its 1,146 stores nationwide, according to a press release from the company.

The company also “anticipates” hiring approximately 5,700 seasonal positions at distribution centers and more than 30 seasonal credit operations positions, the press release also states.

The Roanoke Kohl’s location opened last September.

“…commitment to deliver on our customer promise to expect great things is especially important during the holiday season, and we are pleased to be hiring more than 52,700 associates across the country to help our customers and support our stores during this busy time,” ” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer.

Seasonal associates can work anywhere from a few hours to more than 20 hours per week. Typical store jobs include unloading trucks, freight processing, stocking and cash register duties, the release states.

Hiring began this month, and most jobs will be filled by mid-November.

Holiday positions are also being filled at the company’s distribution centers, where hiring began in August. Associates working at distribution centers ensure Kohl’s products get to the retail stores and into the hands of Kohls.com customers. Associates working in Kohl’s credit operations perform a variety of jobs including assisting customers with Kohls.com orders.

Hiring levels at specific locations will vary depending on the business needs of each facility. For information about employment opportunities with Kohl’s: www.KohlsCareers.com.

To some, saving five percent during tax free weekend isn’t much. But with stores already running special sales and summer clearances the additional saving on retail tax is just the icing on the cake.

Tax Free Holiday Weekend starts today and ends Sunday. 

The State of Virginia will provide exemptions on most clothing and footwear under $100 from sales and use taxes. Also school supplies selling for $20 or less.

One of the perks of shopping at Valley View Mall this weekend are extended hours. The mall will be open today and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

As an extra incentive for customers many stores have special sales, for a listing of those sales click here. 

Belk department store is celebrating the Tax Free Holiday with special door buster sales focusing on kids clothing and coupons. The coupons will work on top brands like Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Columbia and Jones of New York that are usually excluded in mostly all coupon sales, said Frank LaRosa, Belk general store manager.

Belk will also stay open until 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Many local businesses are also participating in the tax free holiday.

Davidsons Clothing for Men, downtown, will be celebrating the holiday and offering additional savings with their summer clearance sale, said Larry Davidson, store owner.

“It’s as good as time as any to come in, shop and take advantage of the savings,” Davidson said.

For more specific information on items that may be purchased tax free, visit the Virginia Holiday/Tax Free Weekend website at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=SchoolSuppliesAndClothingHoliday.

Customers line up at the gas station on 1202 South Jefferson Street where cashier Ram Lamichhane tries to keep up with the demand in the afternoon. The store sold 20-30 bags of ice in about 15 minutes. ERICA YOON | The Roanoke Times

Now that we’ve all had some time to (hopefully) recover from and reflect on last week’s power outage, I’m curious whether the event has made you change or think about your habits as a consumer.

For instance, I found myself wishing I had a car phone charger, but being thankful that I didn’t let my gas tank hit empty before filling up again because many gas stations were closed. My husband was kicking himself for letting a prescription just about run out before picking up more medicine because our pharmacy was without power.

I’m sure for some residents in Vinton, who were without water after the power outage, stocking up on extra bottled water has become a priority.

I also heard that batteries were in short supply at several stores, as were ice and generators.

Did the power outage change the way you think as a consumer? What items did you not have around that sent you scrambling to the store? Have you since stocked up on anything to be more prepared for another weather event?

Roanoke Times file photo

Former customers of the defunct Hollywood Video are reporting that debt collection agencies have contacted them seeking payment for late fees that they do not owe.

At least a dozen customers in Southwest Virginia have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia against Universal Fidelity, based in Houston, Texas, and West Bay, based in Rhode Island. Both represent Hollywood Video, according to a news release from the BBB.

Hollywood video shut its stores three years ago and filed for bankruptcy two years ago.

Universal Fidelity has a “C” grade with the BBB. West Bay has an “F” grade, the news release said.

Julie Wheeler, president of the BBB Serving Western Virginia, said customers should ask for written proof of the debt before paying.

The complaints the BBB has received, however, indicate that most customers who have been contacted do not owe late fees.

“The enormous number of complaints seems to indicate that something is wrong,” Wheeler said in the news release.

Wheeler offered this advice:

• Know your rights. Under federal and state law, debt collectors are prohibited from using threats of violence or harm against a person, property or reputation. They cannot threaten to garnish your wages unless they intend to do so, and cannot use phone calls to repeatedly harass you.
• Ask for written proof of your debt. By law, a debt collection agency must provide you with a validation notice within five days of contacting you about the debt.
• Tell the collector in writing to stop contacting you. Under federal law, a debt collector cannot continue to contact you – at work or home – once you have told them in writing to stop.
• If the company continues to badger you, you can file a complaint with your state’s attorney general, the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/) or the BBB.
• Check out a company’s BBB Business Review by going to www.bbb.org or by calling 800-533-5501.

PayPal, an online payment company, earlier this year began offering the first in-store payment option at Home Depot.

Now, 15 more retailers are offering PayPal in stores.

Those retailers include Abercrombie & Fitch, Advance Auto Parts, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, Foot Locker, JC Penney, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Office Depot and Toys R Us.

The PayPal option allows customers to pay without using a credit or debit card. Instead, customers with existing PayPal accounts pay using their cellphone number and PIN or a PayPal payment card and PIN.

PayPal has said that the payment option is convenient for consumers who are increasingly relying on technology and helps retailers by collecting consumer information and enabling them to offer coupons and other incentives.

Have you used PayPal in a store? Would you?