April 29, 2011
WASHINGTON — The thought of owning a vacation home may sound appealing, but the year-round responsibility — and expense — that come with it may not. Purchasing a timeshare or vacation plan may be an alternative. If you consider a timeshare or vacation plan, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says it’s […]
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April 22, 2011
STAMFORD, CONN. — A pool company president expressed remorse Wednesday in state Superior Court as he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of criminally negligent homicide stemming from the 2007 drowning death of a 6-year-old Greenwich boy. David Lionetti, 55, also entered a guilty plea on behalf of his company, Stamford-based Shoreline Pools Inc., to the charge […]
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April 22, 2011
Legitimate letters of credit are NEVER sold or offered as investments Letters of credit are issued by banks to ensure payment for goods shipped in connection with international trade. Payment on a letter of credit generally requires that the paying bank receive documentation certifying that the goods ordered have been shipped and are en route to […]
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April 21, 2011
“As the weather warms up, a lot of families are going to be hitting the pool, but would you know what to do in case of an emergency?” asked Today Show host Matt Lauer during a recent segment. In this video clip, reporter Savannah Guthrie features a family who faced such an emergency, and a near […]
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April 21, 2011
WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission earlier this week filed contempt charges against a promoter of credit repair and debt relief services and three of his companies, alleging that they continued their deceptive marketing practices in violation of a federal court order. The FTC charged that the defendants tried to take advantage of financially strapped consumers by falsely […]
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April 20, 2011
Think blogging is for everyone? Click on this video, and then decide: 12yD8JyaVvY.
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April 20, 2011
“The value of good PR is easy to see: Positive news stories help companies retain clients and attract new ones. Delivering that value, though, and at the right price, is hard — and getting harder,” writes Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based PR pro Robert Wynne. I particularly enjoyed reading an article Wynne had written in Forbes magazine back […]
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April 20, 2011
Commissioner Mintz Warns New Yorkers to Beware of Fee-Based Debt Settlement Companies NEW YORK — Debt settlement companies lure people struggling with debt by claiming that they will convince creditors to settle debts for less than what’s owed. However, it rarely works. Companies charge high fees and counsel consumers to ignore their debts, which can cause lasting […]
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April 19, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Small businesses seeking to grow their businesses and create jobs through exporting can turn to new, free educational videos created through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Inc. Magazine and AT&T. Through the public-private partnership, a series of video modules has been developed to inspire and encourage American small businesses to […]
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April 13, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank, a sponsor of Staten Island’s Dine Out Against Hunger initiative, wants to remind consumers about tomorrow’s campaign and the opportunity to help those in need. You don’t need a fancy invitation to get in on Dine Out Against Hunger on Staten Island, explains the Staten Island Advance. Just go to any participating […]
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April 12, 2011
Everyone feels tempted to indulge — whether it’s an extra trip to the fridge before bed or taking advantage of a two-for-one deal when you didn’t even need “one” in the first place. Some give in to the temptation while others fight it off in favor of discipline, control and a vision of what they really […]
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April 11, 2011
Among small-business owners, it’s well-known that finding customers through search engine marketing can deliver shoppers who are farther along in the buying cycle — that is, they’ve passed the research stage and they’re looking to buy. But how to do it effectively isn’t nearly as clear. A successful search-marketing campaign needs to be thoughtfully crafted — […]
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April 8, 2011
Staten Island’s only community-based commercial bank contributes to the Coalition for Debtor Education; bank plans to partner with educational organization for local seminars STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank, Staten Island, N.Y.’s only community-based commercial bank, has underscored its devotion to financial literacy with an $8,000 donation to the Coalition for Debtor Education (CDE). […]
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April 6, 2011
NEW YORK — Hiring a Tax Preparation Service This Tax Season? The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers the following advice: Avoid “Instant,” “Rapid,” “Express” or “Fast Cash” refunds. “Instant” refunds are actually loans with extremely high interest rates known as refund anticipation loans (RALs). RALs must be repaid even if you don’t get […]
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April 5, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Do you know your credit score? “If you don’t, you should,” advises Ralph M. Branca, CEO and president of Victory State Bank. “Knowing – and comprehending – your credit score is an essential component of financial well-being.” Based upon information in credit reports, credit scores help lenders judge the stability of an […]
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April 4, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Staten Island business initiative launched in November 2010, and publicized by Relevant Public Relations LLC, most recently has drawn the attention of “Crain’s New York” magazine. In a “Crain’s New York” article published this week, “Regulation overload on New York’s small businesses,” journalist Cara S. Trager mentions the “Stop Suffocating Small […]
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April 1, 2011
5 Tips for a Useful Mission Statement What Does Your Company Really Do? Does your company “aim to be a leader of quality products, customer service, and innovation for tomorrow?” So do thousands of others. Sure, this statement sounds nice, but it means very little to your customers—and employees. An intelligible mission statement is essential to […]
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