The BBB urges consumers to be especially cautious of unsolicited mail with offers of free or discounted cruises. In 2011, the BBB received more than 1,300 complaints against cruise companies. While legitimate cruise companies do offer specials periodically, there are always those sneaky few that end up leaving consumers on the hook for thousands of dollars.

To mark the Centennial of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) has co-produced, along with the BBB, a 30-minute educational video, Decoding Truth and Trust in Advertising, about the BBB's efforts in the truth in advertising movement, dating back 100 years and through today. The documentary debuts Sunday, January 22 at 8 p.m. on tpt's Minnesota Channel. There will be encore presentations (on the Minnesota Channel) Sunday, January 29 at 8:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. The program also airs on tpt's LIFE channel on Sunday, January 29 at noon.

"This video tells a wonderful and important story," said BBB President and CEO Dana Badgerow. "It throws a spotlight on the problems businesses were having with fraudulent advertisers in the early part of the 20th century, and the various forces which came together to form the first Better Business Bureau -- right here in Minneapolis, back in 1912."

Beginning last month, some homeowners who are "under water" with their mortgages can now refinance under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). The new HARP rules apply to homeowners who are current on their payments and whose loans are backed by either FannieMae or FreddieMac. However, the BBB warns consumers that banks and mortgage companies aren't the only ones gearing up for the rush of applications.

"Whenever there is a new or updated government program that may be a bit confusing, scammers come out of the woodwork to take advantage of that confusion," said Dana Badgerow, BBB President and CEO. "There are already hundreds of websites claiming to be able to help homeowners through the HARP process, but many of them are fraudulent."

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) invites high school and college students in Minnesota and North Dakota to be a part of their "Lighting the Way" Centennial Celebration by entering the Everyday Ethics video contest. Students (and student groups) will be asked to consider how the decisions they make each day impact their lives, as well as their futures, and then submit short videos which demonstrate the value of ethics.

One of the goals of the BBB's Centennial, which marks 100 years of promoting ethical business practices and nurturing a marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other, is to increase awareness and start a dialogue about the importance of marketplace ethics today. The contest kicks off soon -- check bbbis100.org for updates and full contest rules!

Every month, the BBB informs the public of an absolute 'no,' a fraudulent scheme or offer they should be on the lookout for.

The BBB is warning consumers not to be duped by a company that's offering homeowners copies of their property deeds for an exorbitant price -- in some cases more than 40 times the price consumers would pay if they were to purchase the same copies themselves at their county offices.

The company, Deed Retrieval Department (which also does business as Deed Retrieval Services and Record Retrieval Department), has been sending Minnesota and Wisconsin homeowners letters that appear to be a bill for $87 from the U.S. government for a property deed. However, despite the fact that it looks official, it's not a bill nor is it from the U.S. government.