Some Ads Recruiting "Secret Shoppers" Are Scams
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 21, 2006 - Consumers who respond to newspaper ads recruiting "secret shoppers" should beware of scams that could cost them hundreds of dollars, Attorney General Jay Nixon has warned.
The Attorney General's Office is looking into a report by a consumer who answered an ad in a Jefferson City newspaper promising cash and merchandise in exchange for evaluating customer service at restaurants and stores. The consumer told Nixon's office this week that she then received a money order for $1,300 and was instructed to keep $100 and wire the remaining $1,200 to an address in Canada, which she did. The money order was then determined to be fake.
"Con artists are increasingly using fake, but realistic-looking, money orders as part of their scams," Nixon said. "If you receive a money order from someone you don't know who wants you to send them money to cover fees, taxes or anything else, it's a big red flag that it's a scam. These money orders have fooled some banks initially, and consumers have found themselves being out that amount."
Nixon says his office will be working with law enforcement agencies in Canada on the matter.
The Attorney General's Office has previously received reports of this "overpayment" scam, primarily from people selling items over the Internet. The seller will receive a money order for more than the agreed to purchase price, with the buyer asking the seller to wire back the difference. Most money order scams seem to originate outside the United States, Nixon says, making it more difficult to recover money lost.
Missourians who have questions or complaints about fake money order scams or other consumer issues can contact the Attorney General's Office through the office Web site at www.ago.mo.gov or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.
St. Louis Has Most Courteous Drivers Says Survey
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 21, 2006 - The first annual In The Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey, commissioned by AutoVantage, has found that the most courteous city is Minneapolis, followed closely by Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta.
The survey also found that the least courteous city in the country is Miami, followed by Phoenix and New York. The other two cities in the bottom five were Los Angeles and Boston.
The Driver's Seat 2006 AutoVantage Road Rage Survey was conducted to determine the driving habits and attitudes of commuters across the U.S. and to learn more about consumer views on the topic of Road Rage.
"Road rage has unfortunately too often become a way of life, both on and off the track," said NASCAR driving legend and AutoVantage spokesman Bobby Hamilton. "More and more, in cities across America, people are acting out their frustrations with dangerous results. It's bad for professional and everyday drivers alike.
"This new study focuses on important attitudes and habits of drivers on the open road nationwide," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. "This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate and influence safer driving habits throughout the United States."
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley Rolls Out New Program to Promote Joint Economic Development
ST. LOUIS, May 18, 2006 - (L. - R.) Mayors of St. Louis County municipalities joined St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley for the roll out of the new Economic Development Collaborative. Back Row: Pat Kelly, Brentwood; Harold Dielman, Creve Coeur; Gerry Welch, Webster Groves; Bert Gates, Shrewsbury; Kyra Watson, Berkeley; Virginia Bira, Vinita Park; Mary Louise Carter, Pagedale; and, Michael Moeller, Maryland Heights. Front Row: Brian Fletcher, Ferguson; David Leezer, STLCO Economic Council; Charlie Dooley; John Nations, Chesterfield; and, Joe Adams, University City.
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ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 19, 2006 - St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley has announced the formation of the St. Louis County Economic Development Collaborative.
At a press conference, following the 2006 Annual Meeting of the St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC) at the Ritz in Clayton, Dooley outlined how the St. Louis County Economic Development Collaborative will improve communication and cooperation among the county's 91 municipalities and unincorporated areas. Dooley said the new program will lead to enhanced job attraction, retention, creation and expansion.
"We are well ppositioned for the 21st century," stated St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley at the SLCEC Annual Meeting at the Ritz.
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"This collaborative will create a unified strategic vision that respects the individual communities, yet enhances the county as well," said Dooley. "It's a forward-thinking effort dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone who works or lives in the county, and we need input and collaboration from all our municipalities and communities to achieve that goal."
Leezer, formerly with St. Charles County, plans to meet with municipal and chamber leadership in St. Louis County to introduce the Collaborative during the first 90 days of his tenure, which began May 15. He will work to market the major assets of St. Louis County, including those within and created by municipalities, and establish regular communications among the County and the municipalities on economic development opportunities and activities.
Leezer stated, "This collaborative's strategic plan will be based on each leader's input. My goal in meeting with each leader individually is to gain the perspective of each community and help mold that into a winning plan for the entire county."
Earlier at the breakfast meeting in the ballroom, Dooley told a packed house in the ballroom that he was pleased to report that the news is very, very good. "It is fair to say that in St. Louis County, business is booming," he said proudly. "It's a team effort to provide quality service in St. Louis County. We are all about customer satisfaction. There are innumerable facts and figures that support our contention that St. Louis County is as business-friendly as any county in the United States," stated Dooley.
Among the highlights presented in the meeting:
- St. Louis County is fifth among American suburban counties in number of jobs;
- The county is ninth among American suburban counties in annual payroll;
- More than $2 billion was invested in St. Louis County in 2005;
- Over 25,000 jobs were attracted or retained in the county;
- St. Louis County accounts for nearly a quarter of the entire state of Missouri's sales tax revenue and one-third of the state's household income tax revenue; and
- The number of new businesses started in St. Louis County totaled 2,600, more than 1,000 more than the next closest county.
At the meeting, several local businesses were presented with awards for their dedication to St. Louis County economic development including:
- Outstanding Entrepreneur: Suzanne Magee Joyce, CEO of TechGuard Security;
- Dr. William D. Phillips Technology Advancement Award: Robert J. Calcaterra, president and CEO of Nidus Center for Scientific Advancement;
- Business Expansion Award: Express Scripts, with new corporate headquarters on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis;
- Buzz Westfall Regional Cooperation Award: NorthPark Partners, consisting of Clayco, McEagle and TRiSTAR, set to create the largest reinvestment project in St. Louis County history; and
- Community Partnership Award: Pinnacle Entertainment, building the $375 million River City casino, hotel and entertainment complex in Lemay.
"The St. Louis County Economic Council is successful because of the entrepreneurial spirit in St. Louis County," said SLCEC President and CEO Denny Coleman. "From the leadership of County Executive Charlie Dooley, through each staff person at the Economic Council, we work every day to enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in St. Louis County, especially through strong leadership and economic development."
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