Scammers across the world are preparing to tap into your accounts, get your information, and steal your money and peace of mind.
Here, the Better Business Bureau provides a few tips to help consumers avoid some of the common recent scams. Weight loss scams, employment scams, phishing scams and puppy scams can all be avoided with vigilance.
“This is the time of year when we encourage consumers to have a plan in place to avoid being scammed,” said Robyn Householder, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. “The one thing we want consumers to remember is never to make a buying decision under pressure. Adhering to this tip can save you hundreds of dollars.”
Weight Loss Scams
If weight loss is your goal in the new year, beware of products or free trials that promise fast results. Anytime you see miracle claims for weight loss products, be skeptical. If a product promises you will lose 10 or 20 pounds a week, that is a red flag. Also, beware of free trials for weight loss supplements. How long is the free trial? How much will you pay after the trial is over?
Employment Scams
If you are looking for a new job in 2023, beware of employment scams in which jobs turn out to be fake. If there is a job opportunity that requires money from you upfront for job supplies, training fees and applications, it may be a scam. Additionally, be wary of big money for small jobs. If an employer is promising outrageously good wages for what seems like simple tasks such as reshipping packages, stuffing envelopes or answering phones, this is a red flag. These too-good-to-be-true offers are an attempt to steal your personal information from a fake job application and can cause problems for you that can persist for a long time.
Phishing Scams
Avoid “phishing” scams and fraudulent messages designed to grab your attention and get your personal information. Text messages saying you must click a link to verify your account, emails or calls claiming your computer has been infected may all be scams. To verify if additional information is needed for your account, contact the business directly to confirm.
Puppy for Sale Scams
Purchasing a puppy is at an all-time high in popularity and can be an emotionally charged experience. Consumers are scammed by an online seller who requests money before seeing the pet in person. The puppy is never shipped or available for pickup after a payment is made to the seller. To avoid being scammed, visit and inspect the pet by arranging to meet with the prospective seller in person. Most legitimate breeders welcome the visit. Additionally, never send money via wire transfer to people or companies you don’t know and trust. Thirdly, visit bbb.org and find out if there is a listing of the business or the breeder on the website. Finally, shop locally. Consider visiting the local animal shelter. Many shelters are looking for fosters to help relieve animal stress and reduce overcrowding at their facilities.
___
Before doing business with a company, visit bbb.org to learn about their reputation. Always report suspected fraud to the BBB by filing a complaint using bbb.org/scamtracker. Consumers may also file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 877-FTC-Help.
[Photo courtesy of Sharon Snider / Pexels]
