All articles tagged with #better business bureau
Unsolicited packages from retailers like Amazon or Temu may indicate a brushing scam, where third-party sellers send items to generate fake reviews and boost product ratings. The Better Business Bureau advises documenting incidents, contacting retailers, and monitoring personal accounts to protect against fraud.
A woman in Columbus, Ohio was charged over $1,000 for a Subway sandwich and has struggled to get a refund, leaving her unable to afford groceries. Despite her efforts, she has not received a refund from Subway or her bank. The Better Business Bureau has suggested she could file a police report for theft, and the store where she made the purchase is temporarily closed.
With the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse approaching, the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York warns of scammers targeting eager eclipse viewers through fake hotel bookings, knockoff solar glasses, and deceptive social media ads. They advise thorough research before booking accommodations, purchasing glasses from trusted vendors listed by the American Astronomical Society, and checking for ISO transmission requirement messages on the glasses. Consumers are urged to be cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers and to prioritize safety over enticing deals.
Temu, an e-commerce site advertised during the Super Bowl, offers products at low prices but has garnered warnings and complaints about wrong sizes, damaged goods, and poor customer service. The company, a sister of Chinese firm Pinduoduo, has a C+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and faces concerns about product quality, privacy, and identity theft. Lawmakers have also criticized the company, and it has sued its rival, Shein, over antitrust issues.
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about an impersonator posing as "Omaha Steak Factory," a knock-off of Omaha Steaks, with reports of customers not receiving products they ordered and false locations being provided. The website, omahasteakfactory.com, displays numerous red flags including grammar errors, lack of contact information, and unauthorized use of Omaha Steaks' branding and logo. Omaha Steaks is working with the BBB to investigate and shut down imposter sites, and customers are urged to report any fraudulent activity related to Omaha Steak Factory via the BBB's Scam Tracker online.
The FBI is warning that gift card scams are on the rise, with scammers using a "gift card draining" trick to steal money before it can be used. Reports of gift card scams have increased by 50% this year, totaling over $210 million in losses. To avoid falling victim, consumers are advised to check for tampering on gift cards, avoid buying cards with damaged packaging, and register their gift cards if possible. If a gift card has been tampered with, there is little that can be done to recover the lost funds. Buying gift cards from behind the counter or gifting cash are alternative ways to protect oneself.
Gift card scams have become increasingly prevalent during the holiday season, with scammers using various tactics to defraud unsuspecting consumers. One method involves stealing gift cards, removing the card numbers, repackaging them, and returning them to the store for unsuspecting shoppers to purchase. Another tactic is the use of AI deep-fake voice software to trick people into loading funds onto gift cards and sending the money to scammers. The number of reported gift card scams has increased by 50% since the beginning of the year. Consumers are advised to be cautious and verify requests for gift card purchases, especially if they involve unusual or unexpected circumstances. The Better Business Bureau recommends contacting the gift card seller, the business or organization supposedly requesting the gift card payment, and the BBB if encountering a potential scam.
Police departments and the Better Business Bureau are warning shoppers about a new scam involving gift cards, where scammers place their own barcodes on top of legitimate ones. Once the victim loads money onto the card and activates it, the scammers drain the account, leaving the recipient with nothing. Target acknowledges the prevalence of gift card scams and encourages vigilance among its team members. Shoppers are advised to visually inspect gift cards for any signs of tampering or additional stickers.
As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, consumers need to be vigilant in avoiding holiday scams. Online rip-offs can involve counterfeit goods, items that never arrive, and ridiculous return policies. To avoid falling victim to scams, shoppers should research the seller, check for complaints and reviews, and verify the legitimacy of the company. Scammers often target top brands such as Nike, NFL, Apple, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, and LEGO. Consumers should be cautious of fantastic deals on social media platforms and be wary of prices that are too good to be true. Counterfeit goods sold online can include a wide range of products, and shoppers are advised to buy directly from the manufacturer's website or thoroughly vet third-party sellers on online marketplaces.
The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers about potential scams during Amazon Prime Day, advising them to be cautious of unsolicited emails or texts and to verify the authenticity of websites before making purchases. They recommend shopping directly from a retailer's site, being wary of unusually low prices, and checking URLs for any suspicious characters. In case of issues, consumers should use the chat service or phone number provided on the company's official website rather than those received via email or text.
The Better Business Bureau of Springfield warns Taylor Swift fans about ticket scams as the demand for last-minute tickets increases. Scammers target people through secondary retailers or sellers, taking advantage of the high demand for popular acts. Consumers are advised to do their research and verify the legitimacy of vendors or resellers before making any purchases. One Springfield woman shares her experience of being scammed out of Taylor Swift tickets and emphasizes the importance of verifying everything before sending money. The Better Business Bureau recommends using their website to check ratings and reviews of ticket sellers.
A woman paid $500 for Taylor Swift tickets from a seller on Facebook, but only received screenshots of the tickets and never got an official transfer notice. She later found out that the seller's Facebook page had been hacked and doesn't know if her screenshots are valid. To avoid fraudulent tickets, the Better Business Bureau suggests buying only from reputable resellers that accept credit cards for payment and offer a money-back guarantee in the event of fraud. They also advise against buying tickets from social media sites and using payment methods like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or gift cards.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has warned of a scam targeting smart TV users through pop-ups on their devices. Scammers pose as customer service representatives and ask for an activation fee or remote control of the smart TV to rectify a supposed issue with the streaming device or subscription. The BBB advises users to double-check fees, watch for fake websites, compare customer service phone numbers, and avoid giving remote control of their device. Users who believe they have fallen victim to a scam are urged to report it using the BBB Scam Tracker.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has warned of a scam targeting smart TV users through pop-ups on their devices. Scammers pose as customer service representatives and ask for an activation fee or remote control of the TV to fix a supposed issue with the streaming service. They can also install malware and collect personal information. The BBB advises users to double-check fees, watch for fake websites, compare customer service numbers, and avoid giving remote access to their devices. Victims are urged to report scams using the BBB Scam Tracker.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has warned of a scam targeting smart TV users through pop-ups on their devices. Scammers pose as customer service representatives and ask for an activation fee or remote control of the smart TV to rectify the supposed issue. They can also install malware on the device and collect sensitive personal information. The BBB advises users to double-check any fees, avoid fake websites, check before calling, and never let anyone control their device remotely. Victims are urged to report the scam using the BBB Scam Tracker.