BBB launches 'Read Up' campaign

The Better Business Bureau announced Wednesday that it is again joining with local, state and federal government agencies and national consumer advocacy organizations to launch the ninth annual National Consumer Protection Week, Feb. 4-10. The theme this year is "Read Up, Reach Out and Be an Informed Consumer."

As the tax filing date nears, the BBB urges consumers to beware of scams.

"BBB experience supports the prediction that scam artists will prey upon people's trust and try to take advantage of confusion over newly enacted tax breaks, just as they do every year," Jane Driggs, president and chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau of Utah, said in a statement. "Reading up, reaching out and becoming an informed consumer this tax season can help people avoid tax schemes and make decisions to better protect their hard-earned dollars and improve their financial situation,"

In addition to steering clear of tax preparers who promise deals that "sound too good to be true," the BBB advises consumers to avoid tax-related promotions that may not be to their financial advantage, including quick-refund offers or refund anticipation loans.

While fees vary, the BBB said that an average tax refund of $2,000 can carry associated fees for the tax preparation, filing and loan of $250 or more, which works out to an annual interest rate of 521 percent for a 10-day loan.

For more information, visit the BBB Web site at www.bbb.org. More consumer education information also is available at the National Consumer Protection Week Web site, www.consumer.gov/ncpw.