Better Business Bureau, Police Encourage Wariness in Light of Post-Storm Scams

The BBB has received specific information pertaining to an individual going door-to-door claiming to be from the power company.

The Marlborough chapter of the Better Business Bureau is warning residents to be on the lookout for unscrupulous contractors and potential scams in the wake of the Halloween weekend snowstorm that left many people with damaged property.   Especially suspicious are those who sell their services door-to-door after such a storm. "After major weather related events, we hear numerous reports of folks being victimized again, not by Mother Nature, but rather at the hands of untrustworthy people who see this as a money-making opportunity," said Paula Fleming, a BBB Spokesperson here in Marlborough. “Some of the most common post-disaster scams involve home repairs, clean-up efforts, heating and cooling equipment and door-to-door contractors.” …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today: May 13

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. It will be mostly sunny today, with a high near 67 degrees and a calm wind becoming east around 6 mph.  2. The Women's Business Council will meet today from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is their annual spring fashion show at the Embassy Suites.  3. Symphony Pro Musica will close  its 28th season with a performance at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Hudson High School, and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at Mill Pond School in Westborough.  4. As warm weather approaches and many consumers are looking to make home improvements, many are turning to solar energy as a solution. The BBB advises consumers to be smart about investing in any home improvement project, and be wary of any scams that may be out there awaiting them. See the story here.  5. There are a …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today: May 2

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. U.S. Military forces have killed Osama Bin Laden. See the story here.  2. Monday is expected to be sunny with light winds and highs in the upper 60s.  3. Paula Fleming, the vice-president of communications and marketing for the Better Business Bureau based here in Marlborough, says that many gas stations charge different prices for gas based on what kind of payment you make at the pump. "State law allows gas stations to discount their prices for customers who pay with cash. However, when a discount is offered, the word “cash” should be included in the signage. Both cash and credit prices should be posted and clearly labeled. Guidelines for advertising and signage for the cash sale option can be obtained from each state. Contact your …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today: April 28

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. While there wasn't so much rain yesterday (though it was predicted), the National Weather Service is calling for a reasonable chance of the wet stuff today. In any case, the temperature will be in low 70s.  2. If you are brave/crazy enough to get up this early tomorrow morning: The royal wedding coverage of Prince William and Kate Middleton will begin at 4 a.m. (our time) on ITN on Facebook. 3. Whether you have a Sony Playstation or not, you must know someone who does. Last week, some hacker effectively killed the online network, throwing millions of gamers into hysteria. The Better Business Bureau has put out a warning to users who have had their personal information compromised as a result of the hack. Share this info with those you …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today: April 27

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. It's going to be pretty warm today. The National Weather Service is predicting a high in the upper 70s with some wind, and a chance of fog and thunderstorms throughout the day. 2. The Marlborough Public Library's Friends Author Series will host Elizabeth Benedict, a highly regarded novelist, journalist, teacher of creative writing, editor, and writing coach, this evening at 6:30. She has published five acclaimed novels, a classic book on writing fiction, and hundreds of reviews, essays, and magazine articles. She is the editor of the upcoming anthology, Mentors, Muses & Monsters: 30 Writers on the People Who Changed Their Lives. 3. The Halfway Cafe here in Marlborough will host a fundraising event for Marlborough Youth Soccer this …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today: April 14

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. Spring-like temperatures will return today, says the National Weather Service, with mostly cloudy skies and winds that will top off at 25mph. 2. The Better Business Bureau says that "just days after millions of customers' email addresses were stolen in one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history, they are seeing one of the first Epsilon data breach phishing scams. ... Typical phishing scammers pose as reputable companies to fraudulently obtain your personal information. In this case, the BBB is now seeing emails being sent from a fake 'Chase Bank,' one of the companies whose data was compromised. Following suit, the email warns that ‘your account’ will be deactivated or deleted if you do not update your profile immediately. The …

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