Latest news with #BBB.org
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB: Trending social media scam targets animal lovers, kind-hearted donors
HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you've spent time on social media lately, you may have come across ads or videos selling merchandise claiming to support a charity. According to the Better Business Bureau, these video ads, often featuring pleading older adults, adorable animals, and touching music, are part of a growing social media scam targeting animal lovers and kind-hearted donors. Hawaiʻi's 5 most commonly surrendered dog breeds BBB's Cameron Nakashima told KHON2 in reports received by the BBB, they're seeing an increase in deceptive ads involving the use of AI-generated videos. Recently, they published a warning specifically about deceptive advertisements on social media, notably TikTok, that allege to be associated with charities or local impact people are reporting that many of these ads are scams, not actual charities. The reality is that AI-generated videos are getting better by the year – they are convincing and effective. So we don't see them going away anytime soon. Nakashima provides these tips to stay safe: Don't give in to videos that tug at your heartstrings. If you see one of these videos with kittens, puppies, or cows and want to make a purchase to support the cause, resist the urge to do so right away, even if the video relays a sense of urgency. Give locally. Contact your local or state/provincial animal shelters or other agencies directly and ask how you can support them. Only do business with companies you know and trust. If you want to purchase a product or donate, do so through a reputable business or non-profit. If you want to buy something from a company you aren't familiar with, do plenty of research first. Look up the company name, website, and contact information. For businesses, read reviews on and do a general search with the company's name and the word 'scam.' For charities, you can look them up on Check out more news from around Hawaii He said not to skip this step, even if you're excited about the product. It's the best way to protect yourself from fraud. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB: New graduates become targets for scammers during end of school season
HONOLULU (KHON2) – While many new graduates enter the job market or search for their first rental property away from home, the local Better Business Bureau warns that scammers may be targeting these young adults. Experts share tips on how to navigate today's job market as graduation season is upon us Cameron Nakashima from Better Business Bureau identified three types: Fake Job Offers Scammers impersonate real companies or create fake ones. They offer remote jobs or 'hiring now' roles via email, text message, or social media. After a short 'interview,' victims are offered the job—but must provide sensitive information or pay for training or equipment. Student Loan Forgiveness Scams: They mimic federal programs or call pretending to be with the U.S. Department of Education. They claim they can reduce monthly payments or eliminate loans altogether—for a fee. Victims are pressured to act quickly and give up FAFSA credentials. Rental Scams Scammers copy real listings or invent fake ones, post them on social sites or rental apps, and collect deposits before disappearing. First-time renters are especially vulnerable because they often don't know what a legitimate lease process looks like. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Nakashima said to prevent falling into these schemes, you need to pay attention. Watch out when people reach out to you – especially via text. Across the board, recent graduates and young adults report the primary method of losing money to scammers is through text messages and with digital payments and payment apps. Do your research on the company. Look up its website, look for the address and contact info – does it all look legit? For example, for student loan forgiveness, that should be a government website (.gov). If its not, that's suspicious. If the website looks good though, you should also check them out on and other online reporting agencies to learn what people and professionals have to say about those businesses. Listen to your gut if something seems off – and get a trusted second opinion. If you feel like something is not quite right about an opportunity or offer but can't put your finger on it, get a second opinion. You can ask a friend of family member or you can even call your local BBB office and we can give you advice based on our database of information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds being scammed with text messages in Hawaii
HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you've received a text saying your package couldn't be delivered, you owe unpaid tolls, or you've won a prize you don't remember signing up for — it probably didn't come from a legitimate company. It likely came from scammers trying to steal your money or identity. Infant and early childhood mental health services available in Hawaii 'Scammers go where we pay attention — and today, for many of us, that's our phones,' said Cameron Nakashima with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 'We've seen a major increase in reports of smishing — that's phishing via SMS — over the past few years.' According to the BBB, more than 14,000 phishing scams were reported nationwide last year, with roughly 400 of those coming from Hawaii. Losses from phishing scams totaled more than $20 million. One growing challenge is that more legitimate companies are texting customers, which makes it harder to distinguish real messages from fake ones. Scammers take advantage of that trust by impersonating delivery companies, banks or even government agencies — all in an effort to get you to click a malicious link or share personal BBB recommends watching for red flags in suspicious text messages: Unsolicited texts — If you didn't sign up for it, don't trust it. Links in the message — Legitimate companies typically won't send strange-looking links asking for personal information. Personalized details — Scammers often use your name or address to make the message seem more real. That information may have come from a data breach or public source. And while it might be tempting to reply 'STOP' or 'Unsubscribe,' or even confront the sender, Nakashima warns against it. 'It might feel like the right thing to do — but don't reply. That's what scammers want,' he said. 'Replying confirms your number is real, which can lead to even more spam and scams. Instead, block the number, delete the message and report it.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Consumers can report suspicious messages to the BBB Scam Tracker or their mobile provider. More tips and information are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wedding scams to look out for
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Wedding season is here, and according to the local Better Business Bureau, that means big business—and big opportunities for scams. From planning the big day to finding the perfect gift, choosing the right business can make all the difference. Group of jewelry scammers being kicked out of the country 'Better Business Bureau sees a lot of small new businesses that don't have qualifications – maybe they have good intentions, but they prove not to be up to the challenge of delivering on the high expectations and promises made regarding the big day. Something we see a lot of complaints about is wedding photographers,' said Better Business Bureau's Cameron Nakashima. 'A wedding photographer scam can cost you more than money—it can cost memories and make the time following the wedding a stressful one. BBB has seen reports of people paying hundreds or thousands of dollars upfront for a photographer who does not deliver photos at all, or delivers blurry, AI-generated images, or simply does not show up for the wedding. Before you book, check for reviews, complaints, and whether the business has a track record and if it is BBB Accredited.'Another area BBB is seeing complaints about is when shopping for wedding-related clothing, decorations and gifts – especially online. 'Whether you are attending a wedding or hosting one, it's smart to be on the lookout for fake retailers trying to take advantage. BBB gets reports of fake dress websites, poor-quality knockoffs, or items that never arrive. Stick to trusted retailers, read return policies, and research the company before giving them your information,' Nakashima said. BBB has dedicated a portion of its website to wedding-related buying guides. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'Whether you're looking for venues, caterers, florists, or wedding-related travel services, BBB's Wedding HQ is your free guide to finding trustworthy businesses,' Nakashima said. 'You can explore top tips, get scam alerts, and connect with BBB Accredited Businesses that meet BBB's Standards for Trust—so you can plan your big day with peace of mind.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB alerts homeowners of roofing scams after major storms
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — The Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Carolinas (BBB) warns people of roofing scams popping up after big storms. The BBB Scam Tracker will often receive reports of shady 'free' roof inspections. So, it's important for homeowners to know how to recognize these scams. 'Be wary of someone showing up at your door uninvited, offering to work on your home,' President and CEO of BBB Serving Eastern Carolinas, Mallory Wojciechowski said. 'They might not be a legitimate business, or may be impersonating one, especially if they offer much lower prices than the competition in the area.' These scams work by someone calling you or showing up to your home claiming they represent a roofing company in your area, using the names of legitimate companies. They will then offer a free inspection or an on-the-spot roof repair. If you accept, they will then show up at your house and mimic wind damage by tearing off shingles or showing you pictures of someone else's damaged roof. One person shared their experience on the BBB Scam Tracker, 'Perpetrators came to my dad's home saying he needed roof repair as they were 'working on homes in the neighborhood' & noticed a small hole in his shingle. Dad trusted them & allowed them to go up on the roof & 'fix' the hole. They came down with a pre-ripped shingle in their pocket to 'show' him the damaged one. It did not match his current roof shingles. From there it escalated into moss removal (which was not done), fixing woodpecker holes in his siding (filling with spray foam), pouring a concrete walkway (VERY poor quality that any legit contractor would not have done), saying he needed foundation work done to fix his 'bowing wall' & ultimately ended up putting paint up on the side of his home that he did not ask for forcing him into accepting more work.' Here are ways you can avoid roofing scams: Beware of unsolicited offers. Get your insurance company to inspect your roof, and/or get a second opinion. Research roofing companies before you hire. Check out for information about hiring a roofing company. You can also find more information at To report a roofing scam, visit BBB Scam Tracker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
