Latest news with #BBBScamTracker
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB of Upstate NY warns drivers of DMV text message scam making the rounds
The Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York is alerting the public to another phishing text message scam making the rounds, this time claiming to be from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Cell phone users have reported receiving a message claiming their license and registration will be suspended if they don't pay for an outstanding traffic ticket. BBB reminds the public that the DMV will never contact individuals via text message asking for personal or payment information. Phishing scams, also known as SMS or smishing scams, have been on the rise in recent years. According to a BBB study, reports of phishing scams doubled from 2022-2023 and broke a record in 2024. They are the #2 most frequently reported scam to BBB of Upstate NY. BBB has also received reports of phony New York State toll collection notice text message scams in the past year. BBB reminds consumers not to engage with any suspicious messages like this. Any phishing message should be deleted and marked as spam. As a reminder, anyone who receives a scam message should report it using BBB Scam Tracker.
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.
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Wedding photography scams are on the rise. What you need to know
Wedding photography scams are on the rise. What you need to know Show Caption Hide Caption Smishing texts: what are they, what you can do Smishing texts are a scam intended to trick the receiver into sharing personal information, like bank details. Problem Solved Wedding photographer scams involve vendors disappearing with payments or failing to deliver photos. Scammers often communicate primarily through social media and request payment via peer-to-peer apps. Thorough research, reviewing contracts and secure payment methods can help avoid these scams. Checking BBB resources and online reviews are crucial steps in verifying photographer legitimacy. You've hired a photographer to capture every magical moment of your special day, only to find out at the last minute that they've disappeared without a trace. BBB has received reports of wedding photographer scams on BBB Scam Tracker. Some scammers take couples' money and disappear before the big day, leaving couples scrambling, while others never receive the treasured photos they paid for in advance. What are the signs of a wedding photographer scam? After searching online for a wedding photographer, you find one you like on social media or another wedding vendor site and reach out. After discussing the details and confirming your wedding date with the vendor through email or social media, you decide to book them. You sign a digital contract and send your deposit through a peer-to-peer payment app. Your final payment will be due just before your wedding date. This type of scam can take a few different turns as wedding dates approach. Some brides report after making the final payment to the photographer before the wedding, the photographer reaches out a few days before the big day to cancel. In other instances, the photographer may not show up to the wedding at all. When you try to contact the photographer to get your money back, they are unresponsive, or their contact information no longer works. More BBB scams: Knowledgeable scammers are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT/ACT prep materials One person shared their experience with BBB Scam Tracker, 'After receiving my money, she stopped contacting me and all of her contact information went out of service. After digging I found she had done the same if not worse to 30+ other brides, some who never received their wedding photos.' This person reported losing $1,700. Another report states, '… She began the process of setting up a plan for our wedding day. She took our deposit. She took our payment in full the week before the wedding. She cancelled two days before the event and kept the entirety of the money.' This person reported losing $5,300. Other couples say that the scam doesn't take place until after the wedding when waiting for their photos to arrive. Another BBB Scam Tracker entry reads, '… He charges a deposit and has you sign a contract. Full payment is due before the wedding/event and he would either show up and do the work and you never hear from him again or he doesn't show up at all, either way you never get any photos [or] videos and he stops all contact with you.' They reported losing $2,400. How can you spot and avoid vendor scams? • Do your research ahead of time. Before you book with any vendor, look at several sources for ratings and reviews. Don't rely on one website. A great place to start is where you can check the business's BBB Accreditation and read complaints and reviews. If you suspect a potential scam, search BBB Scam Tracker to see if any reports have been filed. • Check out the photographer's online presence. In addition to reading ratings and reviews, look for the photographer's website and social media pages. Photographers usually share their work on social media, so seeing a long history of happy clients on their pages is typically a good sign. • Use caution on social media. Be wary of booking services with someone who only operates and communicates through social media. If you can't find anything else online about the photographer, obtain some references from the photographer and call them to get feedback. • Ask for a phone call or in-person meeting. Before booking your photographer, ask to speak on the phone or to meet in person to finalize the details and sign the contract. If the photographer refuses a phone call or a meeting, take that as a warning sign. • Review your contract and keep it on hand. Checkthat the terms and conditions meet your expectations, especially regarding cancellations and refunds. Confirm the details for the day of the wedding and the expected turnaround time to receive your edited photos. Review the terms for making your payments, and make sure the contract includes the photographer's contact information. Be sure to ask for a copy of the contract that is signed and dated by both you and the photographer. • Peer-to-peer payment apps can be a red flag. Businesses that only accept payments through peer-to-peer payment apps can be a red flag for a scam. If you're being asked to send a large amount of money through one of these apps, ask if you can instead pay via a different method like a credit card, cash or cashier's check. Go to to look up online marketplace business profiles, file a complaint, or write a customer review. Visit BBB Scam Tracker to research and report scams. Jan Diaz is the President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana, which serves 23 counties. Contact the BBB at 800-552-4631 or visit
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
BBB issues warning against fake passport sites ahead of summer travel
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Better Business Bureau is asking consumers to use extra caution when renewing passports. According to the BBB, fake renewal websites are going to great lengths to trick individuals into thinking they're on official government pages. U.S. citizens can renew their passports online with the U.S. Department of State—if you meet the requirements. (If you don't meet the requirements, you can still renew your passport by mail). The government doesn't charge a fee to fill out the form. The form is available as a free download. You only pay for the passport renewal itself. Below, are some tips from the BBB to protect passport applicants: Do your research. Before renewing your passport, look up the most recent information on the renewal process. Start by checking with the U.S. government. Remember that you should not have to pay a fee to fill out the required forms for a passport renewal – you'll only need to provide payment for the renewal itself. You can check the costs of passport fees in advance. Give yourself plenty of time when renewing your passport. Processing times for passport renewals can change often. In addition to the indicated processing times, you should also consider the time it takes for your passport to arrive at the passport agency and then be mailed back to your home address. Check to see current processing times and plan ahead. Giving yourself plenty of time may reduce your likelihood of searching for quicker options, some of which could be scams. You can expedite your passport renewal with the U.S. government for an extra fee, but it may still take several weeks. Confirm the website's URL before providing sensitive information. It can be easy to click on an impostor website without noticing. Sometimes, the sponsored ads at the top of your search results can lead to these fake sites. Don't always click on the first website you see. Remember, government websites end in .gov. Always take a closer look to be sure you're visiting the correct URL. Scammers can trick you into thinking URLs look legitimate when they aren't. Before typing in sensitive information, check that the website and link are secure. Learn more about identifying fake websites. Be wary of third-party websites. There are legitimate passport assistance services, but check with and BBB Scam Tracker first to ensure you aren't sharing your personal or financial information with a scammer. BBB offers more about ways to find secure websites and the importance of HTTPS and they offer tips on how to spot the red flags of common scams. 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.
