Amazon Is Going After Google and Facebook With a Local Ad Business

  • Amazon is building a local ads business, according to job postings and company insiders.
  • Advertising has helped offset Amazon’s sluggish sales and inflationary costs.
  • The new arm could take aim at the advertisers that make up most of Google and Facebook’s ads business.

Amazon is going after local advertising in its latest move to expand its booming ad business.

Amazon has been advertising a handful of roles in cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., to form a newly formed Local Ads team that would build relationships with local media companies and agencies. Amazon called the roles “a rare opportunity to join a start-up business with Amazon ads” that will “create a brand new business and revenue stream for Amazon Advertising.” 

One listing, for a head of channel sales, is looking for someone able to manage relationships “which may be unconventional in nature, need a centralized advocate, and/or have

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BBB warns local businesses about handymen and contractor scam

If you’re a small business owner in the Mid-South, FOX13 has a warning for you.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said scammers are targeting handymen and contractors across the Mid-South.

When it starts to warm up, the BBB said business scams really start to increase.

FOX13′s reporter Mandy Hrach spoke with a local painter and said he’s been targeted four times over the past couple of months.

“I get a text saying they want me to get an estimate on a job,” Harry Camp, the owner of ‘The Paint Doctor’ said.

As a painter in Memphis, most of Camp’s customers learn about him by word of mouth.

He said it wasn’t out of the ordinary when he got a text from someone he didn’t know about a job.

“They use houses and target houses that are either for sale or for rent and of course, they can look on Zillow

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BBB Tip: How to choose a tax preparer | Local News

BUFFALO — This year, taxpayers must file their income tax forms before the April 18 deadline. For many people, major life changes, business ownership, or simply a lack of knowledge about the ever-changing tax laws make finding a trustworthy tax preparer a good idea. However, not all tax preparers have the same level of experience and training.

Here are Better Business Bureau’s tips for finding someone you can trust with your finances and sensitive personal information.

Review the tax preparer’s credentials. EAs, CPAs, and tax attorneys are all qualified to represent their clients to the IRS on all matters. Other preparers can help you with forms and basic matters, but cannot represent you in case of an audit. Don’t be afraid to ask about these or other qualifications before you hire someone.

Be wary of spectacular promises. If a tax preparer promises you larger refunds than the competition, this is

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Scammers posing as local law enforcement are trying to sell fake merchandise

Scammers are sending a text message from what appears to be a normal, 10-digit phone number and claims to provide a link to purchase a shirt from your local sheriff’s office for $10 off.The sale sounds like a steal… for your personal and financial information. “Scammers know that nowadays, we are more and more comfortable with making buying decisions and completing transactions using our mobile device, using a device, an electronic,” Holly Salmons with the Better Business Bureau said.Officials with the Better Business Bureau say the scam has been reported to them.WESH 2 has seen it first hand in Osceola, Seminole and Flagler counties.“These scammers are betting on that, they’re trading on the reputation and the community’s fondness for law enforcement… and so law enforcement is not going to contact you in this way,” Salmons said.The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office posted this on social media, warning its residents the text … Read more

Better Business Bureau: FDA warns residents of COVID-19 testing scams | Local News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people of fraudulent coronavirus tests, vaccines and treatments as the pandemic continues.

Since the arrival of the omicron variant, the increase of testing for COVID-19 has become a concern. Scarcity often leads to potential scams for a product that doesn’t exist, the compromise of personal identifiable information, or the increase of deceptive advertising.The FBI issued a warning earlier this year about potential fraud related to COVID-19 antibody tests. Scammers are selling unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests, which can give inaccurate results. In doing so, they are also collecting personal information, such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth. They may also be stealing health insurance or Medicare information that can be used in future schemes.

How the scam works

Robocalls are sent out to consumers directing them to a website that looks like a clinic or medical supply company offering

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