4th of July: What's Happening in Your Town

It's one of the most anticipated holidays on the calendar -- one that for many signifies the official start of Summer -- the 4th of July! 

Check out the festivities taking place in and around your community over the weekend.

4th of July Events

• Cape and the Islands
• Massachusetts by town and date
• Maine by town
• Rhode Island by town
• Vermont by date

Much of New England will continue to celebrate all month long. 

Our Marketing and Communications team curated a patriotic playlist. Just press play for your soundtrack! 

4th of July 2015 from sbenz-92968 on 8tracks Radio.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

-- Amy, Cate, Jaime, Lisa, Paula, Rachel, Steph and Taylor

Maine Attorney General Warns Businesses of Phone Scam

Earlier this week, we told you about the homework folder phone scam that was plaguing Vermont business owners. Well, in true scammer fashion, they never rest. BBB has just learned of a new phone scam affecting small business owners in Maine.

The Maine Attorney General issued a warning last week that phone scammers were calling businesses and claiming to be from the Maine Office of Tourism. The callers claimed to be selling advertising space on a publication that was to be produced by the Maine Office of Tourism. The scammers demanded an upfront cash payment to be made over the phone immediately.

Businesses should know that these caller are not affiliated with the Maine Office of Tourism, nor are they subcontractors of the organization. If you receive a call, Attorney General Janet Mills advises you to hang up.

BBB recommends that you never give out personal information, over the phone, to someone you don’t know. If the caller requires you to pay by money order, you should also consider that as a giant red flag.

Rhode Island Secretary of State Warns of Deceptive Mailing

Small businesses owners should be on the lookout for a deceptive mailing that claims to be from Rhode Island Corporate Compliance. According to ABC6, the letter asks businesses to fill out a form and attach a $125 check. Many businesses are being misled because the documents look official.

In April 2013, a similar mailing scam targeted Maine businesses and was sent from Corporate Records Services, located in Augusta. The letter offered to complete corporate meeting minutes for a $125 fee. Other states including Massachusetts, Georgia, Ohio and Indiana have issued warnings against deceptive mailing scams from Compliance Services.

BBB encourages business owners to do some research on any solicitations they receive that ask for payment, even if the document looks official.  Do not provide business information or a payment until you have completely checked out the offer and organization.

Maine Secretary of State Warns Businesses of a Deceptive Mailing Scam

The Maine Secretary of State, Matthew Dunlop, is warning local businesses and nonprofit organizations of a deceptive mailing scam sent from Corporate Records Services, located in Augusta, ME.

Corporate Records Services has sent mailings to local businesses and offers to complete corporate meeting minutes for a $125 fee. Many businesses are being misled because the documents look official.

BBB encourages business owners to do some research on any solicitations they receive that ask for payment, even if the document looks official.  Do not provide business information or a payment until you have completely checked out the offer and organization.

Corporate “Filing Requirement Reminders” are available on the Maine Secretary of State Office website at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/corp/helpful.html.

Similarly, other states including Massachusetts, Georgia, Ohio and Indiana have issued warnings against another deceptive mailing scam from Compliance Services.