August 2012
11 posts
5 tags
Scammers Bank on Facebook Users' Fear of Missing...
Addicted to Facebook status updates? Spammers are taking advantage of Facebook users’ desire to stay connected by sending fake alerts for “activity you may have missed on Facebook.” Just don’t click the link!
How the Scam Works:
You receive an email that appears to come from a Facebook user’s personal email address alerting you to activity you missed on the social...
5 tags
Tips on Hurricane Relief Donations
In the wake of Hurricane Isaac and other storms threatening coastal regions of the U.S., this season, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips to help donors Americans decide where to direct donations to assist hurricane victims:
Be cautious when giving online. Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to unsolicitedspam messages, and emails and social media posts...
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Virus Tricks Computer Users into Paying Fake FBI...
A new virus posing as an FBI alert is freezing computers and alarming users across the country. Infected computers display a shocking pop-up that tells owners they have illegal materials on their PCs and demands a $200 fine.
How the Scam Works:
Computers infected with the FBI MoneyPak malware display a message using the FBI seal and citing several legal documents. “Your PC is blocked due...
4 tags
AT&T Customers, Don't Fall For Fake Bill Emails
A few months ago, scammers attempted to trick Verizon customers into opening fake bill notices. Get ready AT&T customers! Now it’s your turn.
How the Scam Works:
People nationwide (both AT&T subscribers and not) are receiving fake emails that are almost identical to the real alerts many AT&T customers get to remind them of their monthly payments. This phishing scam is...
Consumer Thanks the BBB
Fantastic note we received from a consumer. Shows how we helped the consumer, but in the end how we helped the business retain this customer!! “Last year, I rented with a company in Marquette and was displeased with a lack of service regar
ding the company. I lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and the matter was mediated between parties through email correspondence. In the...
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Door-to-door Selling Complaints Projected to...
Better Business Bureau receives thousands of complaints each year from consumers who unknowingly fall for scamming door-to-door solicitors. While many door-to-door salespersons are honest, BBB receives troubling complaints from consumers who purchased items like magazines that never came, cosmetics and photography of poor quality, even meat that was no good. BBB warns that deceptive...
2 tags
Small Business Tip: Turning Warm Leads Into Hot...
No matter what your business, you need two things: a happy, loyal customer base and a steady stream of new prospects. The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DESF) offers some great suggestions in its free e-book, Business Owners’ Road Map to Success.
Although DSEF focuses on companies that offer direct selling opportunities for consultants, the information in their e-book is relevant to just...
4 tags
Is Money Tight? Don’t Ignore Your Retirement Plan!
During challenging economic times, it can be tempting to forego contributions to your retirement account, or even to pull money out of an existing account to cover other expenses. Some plans allow you to withdraw money for certain hardship reasons (to prevent eviction or foreclosure, for instance), but there can be some pretty tough financial consequences for tapping or ignoring your retirement...
3 tags
Shop Smart – Spend Less on Back-to-School Supplies...
School bells will be ringing before we know it. Now’s the time to take advantage of annual back-to-school specials on supplies. Whether you plan to shop at your favorite retail store or in the drawers and closets of your home, Better Business Bureau recommends sticking to a budget to avoid the common overspending on school supplies.
According to the National Retail Federation, parents will be...
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Don’t Let Election Scammers Count on Your Support...
Scammers are already gearing up for this year’s Presidential election, from robocalls offering a “free cruise” for taking a political survey, to promises that President Obama will pay your utility bill. Better Business Bureau is advising voters to be on the lookout for the growing number of scams that are likely to continue leading up to the Presidential election.
“Scammers use incentives...
3 tags
Email Phishing Scam Hijacks BBB Name, Again!
A new scam using the BBB name popped up this morning, and has been received by consumers and businesses across the U.S. and Canada…including many BBB offices! How the Scam Works: Two versions of the email have been received. One claims to be following up on a complaint filed with BBB, the other is asking for updated contact information “as a service to BBB Accredited Businesses.” Both are...
