Wedding scams to look out for
From planning the big day to finding the perfect gift, choosing the right business can make all the difference.
Group of jewelry scammers being kicked out of the country
'Better Business Bureau sees a lot of small new businesses that don't have qualifications – maybe they have good intentions, but they prove not to be up to the challenge of delivering on the high expectations and promises made regarding the big day. Something we see a lot of complaints about is wedding photographers,' said Better Business Bureau's Cameron Nakashima.
'A wedding photographer scam can cost you more than money—it can cost memories and make the time following the wedding a stressful one. BBB has seen reports of people paying hundreds or thousands of dollars upfront for a photographer who does not deliver photos at all, or delivers blurry, AI-generated images, or simply does not show up for the wedding. Before you book, check BBB.org for reviews, complaints, and whether the business has a track record and if it is BBB Accredited.'Another area BBB is seeing complaints about is when shopping for wedding-related clothing, decorations and gifts – especially online.
'Whether you are attending a wedding or hosting one, it's smart to be on the lookout for fake retailers trying to take advantage. BBB gets reports of fake dress websites, poor-quality knockoffs, or items that never arrive. Stick to trusted retailers, read return policies, and research the company before giving them your information,' Nakashima said.
BBB has dedicated a portion of its website to wedding-related buying guides.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
'Whether you're looking for venues, caterers, florists, or wedding-related travel services, BBB's Wedding HQ is your free guide to finding trustworthy businesses,' Nakashima said. 'You can explore top tips, get scam alerts, and connect with BBB Accredited Businesses that meet BBB's Standards for Trust—so you can plan your big day with peace of mind.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana AG sues property management company over Hammond and East Chicago leases
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said Friday his office sued a management company that runs at least three properties in Hammond and East Chicago, saying they put deceptive or illegal fine print in renters' leases. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Lake Superior Court, accuses IBIN Management, LLC of breaking Indiana's consumer protection laws. The company runs three properties on the 4300 block of Baring Avenue in East Chicago, 200 block of Waltham Street in Hammond, and 900 block of 174th Street in Hammond. Various leases tried to stretch how long it would take to give back security deposits past the 45 days required by state law, had renters pay fees for repairs that landlords should cover, let landlords go into the units without notification, or tried to block renters from seeking damages allowed by state law, among other issues, Rokita said in a release. The lawsuit cites three people who rented in Hammond or East Chicago. Rokita said he is encouraging anyone affected to call his office. 'Hoosiers deserve fair and transparent treatment when renting their homes,' Rokita said in the release. 'This lawsuit sends a clear message: we will hold accountable those who exploit tenants with deceptive lease agreements that misrepresent their rights and obligations. Protecting Indiana consumers is a top priority for our office.' The company has received several one-star reviews dating back to at least 2022 on the Better Business Bureau's website. The agency gave it an F rating for not responding to complaints. A woman who answered a listed number Friday for the company declined comment. It lists a Crown Point post office box as its address in state records. The lawsuit wants a legal injunction to force the company to stop its practices, as well as fines and restitution. 'We are committed to ensuring that landlords and property managers play by the rules,' Rokita said. 'We will continue to stand up for Hoosiers and fight against deceptive practices that harm our communities.' Affected renters can call his office at 1-800-382-5516 or go to
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
How will no tax on overtime work? Here's what Trump's BBB means for your paycheck, taxes
President Donald Trump's signature 'one big beautiful bill' promises to let workers keep more of what they earn by making tips and overtime wages tax-free. In states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware — where hundreds of thousands of workers rely on overtime and tips to make ends meet — that sounds like a big deal. But will it mean bigger paychecks every week? Or just a larger tax refund later? Here's what you need to know. Fitzpatrick doesn't vote with GOP on BBB Rep. Fitzpatrick one of two Republicans to vote against Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill How does no tax on overtime work? Under the new law, workers can deduct up to $12,500 in overtime pay and $25,000 in reported tips from their taxable income on federal tax returns. But this won't give you an immediate bump in take-home pay. Deductions apply during tax-return season. Employers will still withhold federal taxes from your overtime and tips during the year. But when you file your 2025 return early next year, the deduction could shrink your tax bill or increase your refund. And the benefit is temporary. The deductions expire at the end of 2028 unless Congress extends them. Will my weekly paycheck go up under BBB? If you're banking on tax-free overtime to boost your paycheck, you're out of luck. Trump's 'big beautiful bill' doesn't change what you're paid; it changes what you're taxed. That happens at tax time, not on payday. Employers will keep withholding taxes as usual, and it's up to you to apply the deduction — if you qualify — when you file. So your weekly paycheck won't grow, but your tax refund could. The tax break packs the biggest punch for middle- and high-income workers who rack up overtime or bring in substantial tips. For example, a police officer earning a $75,000 base salary and another $15,000 from overtime would pay federal income taxes on only $2,500 of those extra earnings. A high-end restaurant sommelier with an $80,000 salary and generous tips could hit the cap on tip deductions and still save thousands on their tax bill. Earning more than the thresholds — $12,500 in overtime and $25,000 in tips — doesn't wipe out the benefit. It just means anything above those limits is fully taxed. Midrange earners stand to see meaningful savings too. A warehouse supervisor earning $60,000 with $10,000 in overtime could shave a couple thousand dollars off their federal tax bill. A hotel bartender making $45,000 plus $5,000 in tips could get back all the federal taxes withheld from their tips. For lower-income workers, the impact is more modest. A retail employee earning $28,000 with some overtime, or a diner server making $20,000 in wages and tips, could deduct all of their extra earnings — but with incomes low enough that standard deductions already erase most federal taxes, their refunds might grow by only a few hundred dollars. So, Trump's 'no tax on overtime' law could mean bigger federal tax refunds for many middle-income workers across the Mid-Atlantic, especially in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and construction where extra hours are common. But don't expect your weekly paycheck to grow. The savings will come when you file your 2025 taxes in early 2026. And you'll still owe state income taxes on your overtime and tips. The new federal law doesn't change state tax laws. Jerry Haught is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
4 Ways To Avoid Getting Stuck in Free Promotion Traps
If you've ever signed up for a free trial and then cringed when you saw a charge come through your bank account for a subscription you swore you'd cancel, we're here to help. Free trials are not only offered, they've come to be expected in many cases. In fact, it seems like you can get a free trial for almost anything — a quick Google search turned up 24 free trial opportunities, including Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, Spotify, Discovery, Kindle Unlimited, and more. Consider This: Learn More: Some companies even partner with other companies to promote their products or services when you sign up. For instance, Amazon Prime members receive two free audiobooks and a 30-day free trial from Audible that auto-renews at $14.95 per month after the trial, and certain T-Mobile plans come with Apple TV+ On Us for a promotional period. This all sounds great, but it's all too common for people to forget about the subscription only to be surprised by a charge for a service they don't want or need. GOBankingRates talked with Sarah Keish, a financial expert and founder of RBT Practice Exam, and Melanie McGovern, director of public relations at Better Business Bureau. They recommended these four ways to avoid getting stuck in these free promotion traps. Read the Fine Print and Watch for Pre-Checked Boxes One mistake McGovern sees when it comes to promotional deals is you may not realize you're opting into a subscription. If you're not checking or unchecking boxes or not reading the fine print, you may be agreeing to a trial without realizing it. The Federal Trade Commission also warns of this. By leaving certain boxes checked or unchecked, you may unknowingly be giving the company permission to charge you after the trial. According to Keish, it's important to check the fine print — 'particularly the subsection regarding how long the free trial is and when the billing starts.' Trending Now: Pay Attention to Deals That Require a Credit Card If the deal requires a credit card, McGovern said, 'there's a likelihood that there's a charge associated with the 'free' trial.' Keish backs this up saying, 'Just because it's advertised as 'free' doesn't necessarily mean that it won't eventually cost you.' Entering credit or debit card information means that the company will have the means to charge you when the free trial ends, so you'll have to be extra vigilant about cancelling before the subscription auto-renews. Cancel During the Trial If you wait until the trial is over to cancel it, you run the risk of missing the deadline and watching as the subscription auto-renews. Keish recommends you cancel flat-out — 'yes, even during the trial.' 'In most cases, you can cancel the trial whenever you want and still keep access through the length of the time. If it's a 30-day trial, canceling on Day 1 typically doesn't take away your access — it just halts the auto-renewal,' she said. Do a Periodic Subscription Check Keish recommends taking about five minutes a month to review your accounts and check for unwanted charges. Accounts can include your bank account, credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay accounts. She calls it a 'subscription audit' and makes sure her clients do one each month. If you have a lot on your plate, she said that there are programs like Rocket Money or Trim that can scan your accounts for subscriptions and then help you cancel any unwanted ones. If charges show up that you disagree with, the Better Business Bureau recommends disputing the charge with the company directly, and if that doesn't work, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 This article originally appeared on 4 Ways To Avoid Getting Stuck in Free Promotion Traps
