Avoid these scams in 2020
BBB Encourages Consumers to Make Wise Resolutions and Be Scam Free in 2020! |
Lake Havasu City (AZ) - January 8, 2020 - Every year, millions of consumers fall victim to scams. Last year, BBB Scam Tracker received close to 4,000 reports about scams throughout Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest's (BBBPacSW) service area, with almost four million dollars lost. The top three scams reported by consumers were phishing scams, online purchase scams and investment scams. Some consumers lost money immediately, while others only come to find out later that they have become victims of identity theft. For the new year, BBB shares practical resolutions each consumer can make to help keep their wallet and identity safe. By making these few wise choices, consumers and their families can experience the upcoming year, fraud-free. I resolve to be cautious with email. If one receives unsolicited emails from a person or a company, be on guard. Remember scammers can make emails look like they are from a legitimate business, government agency or reputable organization (even BBB!). Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails. If there is any doubt consumers should call the company or the agency directly. I resolve to never send money to strangers. If one has not met a person face-to-face, he or she should not send them money. This is especially true if a stranger asks for cash, wire transfer or prepaid debit/gift cards. Money sent in this way is untraceable and once it is sent, there is no getting it back. Likewise, do not handle money or make transfers for people met online; fraudsters can use people as a "money mule" to facilitate a crime. I resolve to do research before making online payments and purchases. When shopping online or making an online payment, research before sending the funds. Ask: Is this a person or business I know and trust? Do they have a working customer service number? Where is the company physically located? Would I be making payments through a secure server (check for the https://....com in the web address)? Have I checked on bbb.org to see if others have complained or negatively reviewed this company? I resolve to use my best judgment when sharing personal information. Sensitive information includes banking and credit card information, birthdate, address, phone number and Social Security number. Consumers should never share their personal information with someone who has contacted them unsolicited and should be cautious about sharing at all times. I resolve to be social media smart. Make use of privacy settings on social media sites and only connect with people you actually know. Be careful about including personal information in social media profiles and do not post pictures of one’s home or any identifying information that reveals one’s address, phone, email, etc. Scammers may use this information to pass themselves off as a friend or relative and earn one's trust. Also, be wary of ads on social media which may lead to identity theft frauds. BBB Resources
File a complaint against a business at BBB.org/consumer-complaints. File a scam report about a fraud (even if no money was lost) at BBB.org/scamtracker. Learn more about avoiding scams at BBB.org/avoidscams. For more information or to schedule an interview with a BBB spokesperson, please contact Kryistyna Hook at 928-302-3701 or kryistyna.hook@bbbcommunity.org -BBB.ORG-
About Better Business Bureau Serving Pacific Southwest. |
