Archive for November 30th, 2009

Volunteers & donations needed to help children

Kohl’s Department Store
Louisville, KY
December 5, 2009
9AM – 3PM
 
“Shop With a Hero” is a wonderful program offering a Christmas to children across Louisville Metro who would not otherwise have had much to be thankful for during the Holiday Season.  Last year they helped 750 children representing every Metro Council District.  This year there will be over 1,100 requests, if not more in this tough economic time.
 
Please consider giving your time and talent to “Shop With a Hero” by volunteering or making a donation to help this wonderful program.  You can help bring a smile to a child and relief to parents who are trying to make ends meet.  There are two ways you can help:
 
DONATIONS
Donations can be mailed to Valley View Church.  Please make check payable to Valley View Church and write “Shop With a Hero” on your check.  Mail donation to:
Valley View Church
8911 3rd Street Road
Louisville KY 40272
 
Donations are tax deductable. 
 
Volunteers from Valley View Church are available to pick up last minute donations.  Please call Debbie Hunt at 724-9831 to arrange pick up.
 
VOLUNTEERS
To sign up to volunteer on December 5, please email Debbie Hunt at DebbieHunt1028@insightbb.com.  You can also reach Debbie on her mobile at 724-9831.  Volunteer can also sign up at Valley View Church located at 8911 3rd Street Road.

Cyber Monday starts today!

This holiday season, everyone will be hunting for a bargain. The Better Business Bureau is warning online shoppers that some deals are just too good to be true. “Everyone will be looking for the best deals this year and scammers know that they can take advantage of that by using low prices to lure in victims,” says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Communications Director for the BBB. BBB offers the following advice to help make online shopping a safe and easy experience this holiday season:
 
1. Protect your computer – Update your computer system with the latest spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall.
 
2. Use trustworthy Web sites – Always start with BBB to check on the seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction.
Look for a “trustmark” from BBB Online and click on that seal to confirm that it’s valid.
 
3. Protect your personal information – Read the site’s privacy policy to understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, consider that a warning that your personal information may be sold to others without your permission.
 
4. Trust your gut – Offers on Web sites and in unsolicited e-mails can often sound too good to be true. Always go with your instincts and don’t be afraid to pass up a “deal” because it might cost you in the end.
 
5. Beware of phishing – Legitimate businesses do not send emails claiming problems with an order or an account to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. Pick up the phone and call the contact number on the Web site where you made the purchase to ask if there was a problem with your transaction.
 
6. Confirm your online purchase is secure – Look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. If you have doubts about a site, right-click anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (Web site address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is not encrypted.
 
7. Pay with a credit card – It’s best to use a credit card because under federal law you can dispute the charges if you don’t get what you were promised. You also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on your credit card, and many card issuers have “zero liability” policies under which you pay nothing if someone steals your credit card number and uses it.
 
8. Keep documentation of your order. When you’ve completed the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page or you might receive confirmation by email – don’t delete these, save them!
 
9. Check your credit card statement often – Don’t wait for a paper statement; check your credit card statements for suspicious activity by either calling the credit card company or by checking your statement online.
 
10. Know your rights – Federal law requires that orders made by mail, phone or online be shipped by the date promised or, if no delivery time was stated, within 30 days. If the goods aren’t shipped on time, you can cancel and demand a refund. There is no general three-day cancellation right, but you do have the right to reject merchandise if it’s defective or was misrepresented. Otherwise, it’s the company’s policies that determine if you can cancel the purchase and whether you can get a refund or credit.
 
For more advice on keeping your identity safe over the holidays, visit bbb.org or call
1-800-388-2222.