BBB Alerts & Tips Columns

With the United States approving several COVID-19 vaccines, government officials expect scams to emerge as distribution begins. Watch out for everything from phony treatments to phishing messages. What to Expect from Scammers: Government officials have al-ready been cracking down on phony COVID testing kits and treatments.

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The Internet has become a significant part of our everyday lives, allowing us to work, socialize, and shop online. Unfortunately, cybercriminals also benefit from that same convenience and accessibility. That’s why the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) team up each October … (read more…)

One of the most common scams in the U.S. today involves callers pretending to be government officials. Some claim to be tax officials and representatives from the Social Security Administration; others claim to be law enforcement officers and threaten legal consequences. All of them use fear and intimidation to trick victims into turning over … (read more…)

Some new studies show that up to 50% of people with COVID-19 don’t show any symptoms, so many people are wondering if they had the disease without knowing it. Fortunately, an antibody test can identify if your body has already fought off the virus. Unfortunately, scammers are cashing in on-demand and creating phony tests, according to BBB Scam … (read more…)

NOTE: BBB continues to monitor changes in the marketplace in reaction to COVID-19. Visit BBB.org/coronavirus for the latest information.

As the outbreak worsens, BBB.org/ScamTracker has received numerous reports about scam websites claiming to sell face masks … (read more…)

Donors beware – that charity may not be what it seems! In the past few months, BBB.org/ScamTracker has gotten more than a dozen reports of a nonprofit organization using what consumers think are shady tactics to solicit donations. Potential donors beware! If an … (read more…)

Tax season is here, and so are the scammers. Con artists are using the Social Security numbers of unsuspecting Americans to file phony tax returns and steal their refunds. How the Scam Works: You file your taxes as normal and expect a refund from the IRS. Instead, you get a written IRS notice saying that more than one tax return was filed using … (read more…)

Despite running for years, this con still successfully uses threatening calls and intimidating emails to scare people into paying up. Jury duty scams have staying power because they prey on the fear of law enforcement.

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Con artists’ new way to steal payment information has evolved to using Bluetooth technology and going through the back end of the gas station’s point of sale system. Gone are the days that skimmers were bulky and easy detect; this new piece of technology is slim and virtually undetectable.

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The place seems like a dream come true: the right space, the right location, the right price. But is it really for rent? Or will the renter or traveler arrive to find their money gone with nowhere to stay?

An in-depth investigative study by Better Business Bureau (BBB) finds that fraud is widespread in the online rental home and vacation rental … (read more…)

Look out for job scams this holiday season! You may want to do some extra research before taking on that side-gig you’ve been eyeing. This consumer protection month, Better Business Bureau and Stop Fraud Colorado—developed by the consumer protection section of the state’s Attorney General’s Office—are teaming up to warn Coloradoans about … (read more…)

A favorite tactic of scammers is to convince consumers to pay for services that would otherwise be free. BBB Scam Tracker (BBB.org/ScamTracker) is getting reports of a con where scam artists charge activation fees for devices that are, in fact, completely … (read more…)