Latest news with #RyanLippe
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe weather can bring storm damage repair scams
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Spring is right around the corner and with the change in season comes an increased chance for inclement and dangerous weather. During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Ohioans are encouraged to be proactive and make a plan before severe weather strikes — in order to keep yourself, your family and your loved ones safe. Appeals court overturns part of Ohio law banning trans healthcare for youth Better Call 4 and the Ohio Attorney General's Office also want to help you prepare for the aftermath when repairs are needed and so-called 'storm chasers' come calling. 'So, they're going door to door, they're in the neighborhoods,' Ryan Lippe, a consumer educator with the Ohio Attorney General's Office, said. 'If they say they have leftover materials, it's probably a scam.' Lippe said there are contractors or companies that appear after a storm seeking to collect cash from vulnerable homeowners but are out-right con artists. Other times, they may be legitimate businesses that are just bad at business. 'When there's a natural disaster, some of them go way over their head in terms of the number of jobs they can support with their current workforce,' Lippe said. 'There's a gray area, where they might do a little bit of the work just to say they've done something, but then they leave either a shoddy job or they just don't come back to finish the job. So, sometimes it's a mistake on their end, sometimes it's a scam.' DOGE cancels $699K OSU research grant examining cannabis use in LGBTQ+ women Regardless, Lippe said, it's up to you as the home, business, or property owner to take steps to protect yourself. 'Check it out, get some research done on the company name, maybe get some more estimates before you decide to have work done,' Lippe said. 'Because under state law, if they're going door to door, they're supposed to be giving you a three-day cancellation period before they even start work. So, it's a red flag if they want to start work right away.' When it comes to cleaning up from severe storm damage, the best place to start is with your insurance company. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here are the top text message scams to watch out for
(WHTM) — There are some alarming new statistics surrounding text message scams. This week is National Consumer Protection Week and it's especially important this year as scammers are becoming more sophisticated than ever, especially when it comes to tricking you on your phone. Think you would spot a text message scam? Don't be so sure. 'I know people get scammed, I know they do,' Lee, who asked that we don't use his last name, said. He was targeted by one of the top scams of 2025: fake IRS texts. You'll receive a tax refund of $573,' Lee said. 'We cannot process it due to incomplete personal information. Please confirm your information in the link.' Pa. Turnpike 'smishing' scam making rounds again The Better Business Bureau, FTC, and state Attorneys General are warning about a big surge in text scams that have replaced phone call scams. Ryan Lippe says top scams right now include: An issue with your tax refund; A problem with your bank account; An unpaid highway toll that will result in a big fine. These scams are more than just a minor inconvenience. For instance, if you get a text message claiming there's a problem with your bank account and you click on it, a scammer can drain that account in a matter of minutes. The Better Business Bureau says: never click on texts from the IRS, your bank, or a toll authority; unsure? Look up the agency and call them. 'If you need help and you want to verify the veracity of a text message, call the source at the number you have legitimately researched,' Holly Palello said. She recently returned home from Florida to receive a text message saying she owed a Florida toll. 'It just said something about a SunPass from Florida.' Luckily, she got suspicious and didn't reply. The bottom line is don't answer unknown calls and don't reply to unexpected text messages. Find more stories on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
