by Sheryl Bilbrey

I just heard from our friends at the BBB in Houston.  Fortunately, their building withstood and they already have power, so services are quickly being restored.  My colleague there has offered services to an affected BBB neighbor in Beaumont, because the scam artists are already at work.  With tongue-in-cheek, he had to say that he admired their "work ethic."

I promise you, beautiful sunny San Diego WILL be affected by that devastating hurricane.  There is a pattern of rotten, smelly behavior that follows this kind of tragedy, and here is how it goes ...

Web sites will pop up with catchy words like "charity," "help," "victims," and "donate."  In some cases, these will be real charities trying to do their best to help.  Unfortunately, many of these charities are not skilled at disaster relief, and will not put your money where it can do the most good in the shortest amount of time.  And in MANY cases, these kinds of websites are not at all legitimate.  Kind-hearted people like you will send your hard-earned money to the P.O. Box of a con man, believing that you are providing aide to victims.  The donor expects nothing in return, so they will never be the wiser.  So how can you be sure who will help you to help the victims?  Check the charity out at bbb.org.

We can also expect "investment opportunities" to spring up.  Unsuspecting San Diegans will be promised big returns for investing in products and services that will be needed in the Houston area.  Water purification systems and refinery repair equipment are sure to be "great financial opportunities" that lure money out of bank accounts into the bad guy's vault.  If you are considering working with an "investor," check out their license.  They need one to work with you in the state of California.  And if it seems too good to be true ...

Finally, be careful if you are in the market to buy a used car.  Sure as the world, we will be seeing cleaned-up, flood-damaged vehicles in our marketplace.  We have tips at bbb.org on how to recognize the tell-tale signs.  We don't want to see you driving the freeways of our fine county behind the wheel of a hurricane survivor.  Check out the guy you want to buy the car from at bbb.org, and do your best to Start With Trust.