Latest news with #ScamTracker
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
New phishing scam targets residents in the Carolinas
HICKORY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – The Better Business Bureau is getting more reports of a new phishing scam targeting people in the Carolinas. It reportedly starts with a phony 'process server' and a non-existent court case against you. Tish Whiteman lives in Hickory and tells Queen City News she recently experienced this. 'I was at work, and I answered my cell phone. It was a woman on the phone stating that she was a process server, and they were trying to serve me papers,' Whiteman said. 'They had some information on me. When I hung up my phone, I was getting phone calls from my ex-husband, my daughter out in California, my mother and some friends they had gotten the same phone call looking for me.' Whiteman wanted to share her story as a warning because she doesn't want anyone to fall victim. 'The woman told me that for every attempt or failed attempt that they made, it would be a $75 charge,' Whiteman said. Some of the friends the scammer reached out to, she hadn't spoken to in years. The same goes for her ex-husband. Whiteman said she is thankful she did not fall victim to this. 'There are people who will fall for the scam,' Whiteman said. 'Someone like my mother, who's 83 years old, would definitely fall for something like that and get nervous. She would probably have given them her credit card number or money and be out that money.' If you're on the phone with someone you don't know, and that person is pressuring you to make a decision or to act right now – hang up. BBB VP of Marketing and Communications Juliana O'Rork said it's likely a scam. 'That's a tactic used in a lot of scams and we're always warning people never feel super pressured to do anything,' O'Rork said. Juliana O'Rork from the BBB said data breaches happen all the time, so it's very easy for scammers to get your personal information. But because these scam artists have been calling your family members, she said let them know, too, that they could be impacted. 'That is another piece of this that's kind of been added to this is now it's not just you as an individual they're targeting. They're also targeting your friends and family,' O'Rork said. 'So what they might do is call you, you know, tell you all this stuff over the phone as far as you're going to be served and they can't give you any details because federal law prohibits that, but they want to confirm some of your personal information.' O'Rork warns not to confirm anything you're asked because that can help scammers verify more of your personal information that they may not already have. You can report scams like this to the BBB Scam Tracker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A BBB investigator's top tip for reporting scams? Don't be embarrassed
Lisa Schiller, the senior director of investigations and media relations for the Better Business Bureau, spoke to Public Investigator about how consumers can avoid common scams like shopping fraud, computer malware exploitation, fake check scams and more. She spoke at a news conference at the BBB offices on May 8, when dozens of cities across the United States celebrated Scam Survivor Day. The Better Business Bureau created Scam Survivor Day in 2024 to raise awareness about how consumers can avoid scams and report fraud. Gov. Tony Evers, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and West Allis Mayor Dan Devine signed proclamations designating the second Thursday in May as Scam Survivor Day. Here's what Schiller had to say about how consumers can watch out for scams. There are a wide range of scams that target consumers. Some of the most common are identity theft, phishing, sweepstakes and lottery scams, government imposter scams and job scams. In many of these cases, scammers capture a target's personal information and use it to commit other types of fraud. The Better Business Bureau maintains an ongoing list of reported scams and studies about different scam types on its website. "We want to know what scams are out there, because we check that on a daily basis, and then we know what's going on," Schiller said. Schiller told Public Investigator that resolving a scam could take months or years, but it is always worth reporting. Schiller said that in addition to conducting its own investigation, the BBB refers cases to local law enforcement and other local and national agencies. She recommended that individuals who believe they have been targeted by a scam use the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker platform to report the incident. With the BBB Scam Tracker, consumers can look up existing scams from a list of over 400,000 reported scams and compare the descriptions to their own circumstance. Alternatively, consumers can submit a scam report that alerts the BBB to investigate and warn others. "Oftentimes, people feel embarrassed. They don't know where to report. They don't want to take the time to report. It's really so important to report those cases to us," Schiller said. Schiller said that it is good practice for consumers to write down the details of their contact with a potential scammer to aid in the investigative process. If possible, consumers should write down any phone numbers or emails associated with the scammer. If a scammer contacted them in person, at home or in public, the consumer can write a description of their appearance, what they were wearing, what type of car they were driving and the license plate. Other critical details include the company that the scammer claims to be associated with and the business address associated with their work. "You should really take those steps right from the beginning, no matter what you're doing or who you're dealing with, and take really good notes," Schiller said. "Keep a notebook handy, write down the date, write down a scenario of what you experienced or what happened or who you dealt with." : The BBB provides a variety of quizzes and videos about how to identify red flags. The guide includes a Risk Calculator which identifies the top scams that users should recognize and the potential financial implications of being targeted. : The BBB Scam Tracker allows people to report scams and read about reported scams locally and nationally. Users are able to search URLs, emails and phone numbers to determine if the person contacting them was flagged as a scammer. : The Scam Survival Toolkit provides a personalized recovery plan and to restore a person's financial and mental well-being after being targeted by a scam. If you have more questions for the Better Business Bureau about scams or consumer protection, let Public Investigator reporter Tamia Fowlkes know at tfowlkes@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Q&A: BBB investigator shares tips for reporting scams
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Scammers using online dating profiles to take advantage of those looking for love
The Brief Scammers are now using dating apps to try to take advantage of those looking for love One Austin resident reported losing $60K to a scammer If you've been the victim of an online dating scam, you're urged to report it to the Better Business Bureau AUSTIN, Texas - More people than ever are trying to find romance online these days. But scammers are increasingly using those dating apps to try to take advantage of those looking for love. What they're saying "Are they really the person that they show themselves to be online?" said Brooke Eastman of Cedar Park. The Better Business Bureau in Austin says an increasing number of scammers are using online profiles to rip off people trying to find romance, whether on a dating app, or even social media. "Someone reaches out to you. They might have noticed something on your profile that sparks an interest," said Heather Massey, V.P. of communications for the Better Business Bureau Serving the Heart of Texas. While many apps do a good job of vetting their members, they're not always perfect. "What people don't realize is a scammer will take months and even years to develop these relationships," said Massey. What may seem like an innocent online romance, could actually be a complex money grab. "A common story is they are deployed overseas in the military. Maybe they're a physician working overseas doing some charity work. They have some type of emergency or they're trying to get back to visit you, and they need some type of funding to make that happen," said Massey. An Austin resident reported to the BBB Scam Tracker that a romantic chat with someone named Anna turned into a conversation about bitcoin trading, and a series of investments. Instead of a crypto windfall, the victim ended up losing $60,000 to a scammer. "Before you know it, you're out of money, you have no investment, and they've completely disappeared," said Massey. Some scammers will drop the facade and try to extort you, especially if you've sent photos or videos. "To say 'if you don't pay me, I'm going to put these out there on social media, tag you in them'," said Massey. "I have heard about, like, you can get manipulated after sending anything. Everything can be on the line just from one picture," said Eastman. Why you should care The BBB says avoid sending photos and videos that someone could use against you. Be wary of an online date who has trouble answering specific questions about their life. Poor video quality on a chat is another red flag that the person could be trying to conceal their true identity. "The number one is, if you do develop the relationship, insist on meeting up in person. If they ask you for money, walk away. Do not send money, especially to someone you do not know you have never met, no matter the reason." If you've been the victim of an online dating scam, you're urged to report it to the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker. If someone is trying to extort you, call the police. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak
