Stamford, CT – Chicago Blues legend Frank Bluestein is going to hit the stage at this years Summer Groovefest 09 in downtown Norwalk, CT. This will be a free event filled with live performances, street art and a silent auction to benefit a new youth center planned for Bridgeport, CT. In addition to reorganizing this years event, Bluestein has recorded a special CD to help raise funds for the cause.

Summer Groovefest 09’ will move from its native Chicago origin to new and unfamiliar territory in Norwalk , Connecticut. The festival is a collection of live blues acts that appeared in closed door club events and rooftop parties over the past two years.

The new CD will be available at the event on August 15, 2009. Right now there are plans to include this CD on an ecommerce web site. As of this writing there is no site to order it from. You will have to buy the new Frank Bluestein CD at Summer Groovefest 09’. The CD is titled, “Kick Out The Blues” and features Bluestein on his ever present harmonica as well as belting out the vocals on several  tracks. There are at least three tracks that feature only music. The compositions date back to the early 80’s and this will be the first time they will be released to the public.

Getting the groups together took a considerable amount of time. It was not easy to get cooperation from various management during these busy summer months. Many of the performers were locked up into various commitments.

“Organizing this blues fest in Norwalk has been a tremendous effort. We wanted the CD to coincide with this years event. It’s not every day you get a collection of real Chicago/Kansas City bluesmen in the city of Norwalk. We are quite confident that this new addition to the rich cultural east coast scene will be exactly what music lovers and thrill seekers will enjoy.” Says concert promoter Fritz Machauley.

Fritz Machauley has been working with Summer Groovefest 09 along with Frank Bluestein. Machauley was brought in to put a halt to inside fraud and mismanagement of funds. He led an intensive fraud investigation and fired several staff members internally and has given the control back to the musicians. This will be an artists event where they maintain total control over this years festival activities.

Scams involve attempts at identity theft

Wallingford, CT – May 19, 2009 – As the 2010 Census gets under way, Connecticut Better Business Bureau cautions consumers to be cooperative but careful about providing personal information to would-be census workers who make contact by phone or show up at their front door.

More than 140,000 U.S. Census workers are fanning out across the nation to verify the addresses of households and count and gather information about every person at every address in the U.S., including their age, gender, race and other relevant data.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, notes many people are cautious about providing personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors. While the Census is an exception to the rule, unscrupulous operators are posing as government employees in an effort to get as much sensitive personal information as possible.

“Scammers know citizens are required by law to respond to the U.S. Census Bureau and give out some personal information, but that does not include detailed personal financial information.”

Law enforcement authorities in several states have issued warnings that scammers have begun posing as Census employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers. Complicating the situation is the fact that Census workers may contact households by mail, telephone and visits.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers the following tips on how to tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist:

•Legitimate Census representatives will have a badge, handheld device, canvas bag and confidentiality notice. Always ask to see their identification and never invite anyone you do not know into your home.

•Census workers who show up at your door will only verify address information and never ask for personal financial or Social Security information. Do not give those details to anyone, even if they claim to need it for the U.S. Census.

•While Census workers may eventually contact you in a number of ways, they will not contact you by e-mail. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail purporting to be from the U.S. Census Bureau.

More information on the Census is available at http://www.census.gov. Consumers also may find more information on avoiding identity theft and fraud at www.bbb.org.

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Trying to help a good cause could get you ripped off by fraudulent magazine salespeople

Wallingford, CT – May 8, 2009 – Better Business Bureau warns that deceptive door-to-door magazine sales crews are hitting the pavement in Connecticut, and looking to earn a quick buck this summer. In the last 12 months alone, BBB’s across the nation received 1,100 complaints from consumers in 46 states against more than 50 companies that are selling magazines door-to-door. A number of these complaints were filed by Connecticut consumers.

Many of these companies employ crews of high school and college-age people who are trying to earn money over their summer break. These crews are sent to communities to knock on doors and sell magazines—sometimes without appropriate licensing. In the sales pitch, the representative might explain they are working to help raise money on behalf of a charity, for a school trip or even selling subscriptions to support troops in Iraq.

A Greater New Haven woman said a pair of students claiming they were from the University of Rhode Island, knocked on her door, said they lived “down the street,” and were selling magazines and books to “go to London.” Later, when she became suspicious, she called police, filed a report with Connecticut Better Business Bureau and put a stop on her check.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, says victims readily believe the phony sales pitch and often pay hundreds of dollars by check. However, complaints allege the sales reps took the checks and the magazines never arrived.

“We are alerting consumers to this scam to prevent an epidemic of door-to-door magazine fraud. We encourage all Connecticut residents to be vigilant, and to inform their children, parents and grandparents about this type of operation.”

Scarpetti adds that consumers are not the only victims of this scam.

“The young salespeople also are being taken advantage of by their employers, forced to work long hours and having their wages withheld from them.”

BBB offers the following advice to avoid getting scammed by a door-to-door magazine sales scam:

•Always research the company with your Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org before issuing a check for a magazine subscription.

•The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives the customer three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in their home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, salespeople should also include a completed cancellation form that customers can send to the company to cancel the agreement. By law, the company must give customers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.

•Victims of fraudulent magazine sales can file a complaint with their Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org, local law enforcement, and the state Attorney General’s office.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau alerts homeowners about common scare tactics used by unscrupulous service providers

Wallingford, CT – November 12, 2008– As Connecticut consumers begin winterizing their homes, a warning from your BBB: watch out for “furnace-fixing” con artists.

While most furnace repair companies are honest, reputable and fair, there are a few that may try to frighten you into repairing or replacing the core of your home heating system, even when it is functioning properly, according to Paulette Hotton Scarpetti, President of Connecticut Better Business Bureau.

“Unscrupulous furnace repair companies may warn you that your furnace is leaking dangerous gases that could explode or harm people in the house. The most important first step—is don’t panic. Ensure your home is safe and then get your furnace inspected by your oil company or a second repair service.”

BBB offers the following tips to ensure you don’t get fleeced by disreputable operators:

•If you are told your furnace must be replaced because it is too small, think back to whether it has ever failed to properly heat your home. If you do buy a furnace, don’t waste money on a furnace that is unnecessarily large for the size of your home.

•Check the warranty on your heating system. Many of them come with long-term warranties

•Always get a second or third opinion as to whether repairs or replacement are needed. All bids should be in writing and provide a full description of services provided and materials used.

•When considering a bid, compare more than cost. Check the size and efficiency rating of the equipment each bidder proposes, and then ask how they arrived at recommending a particular sized system.

If you determine repairs or replacement is necessary, select a contractor with a solid reputation for dependable, reasonably-priced work. Ask friends, neighbors and family members for recommendations, and check out any company you’d like to hire at bbb.org for a Reliability Report.

Do not hesitate to call your public utility if you heat with natural gas, and ask a serviceman to inspect your system. If you believe you are in physical danger, leave your home until your heating system is checked out.