Tri State Better Business Bureau
Scam Impersonates International Monetary Fund
Your BBB® has just received an alert from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about scammers impersonating IMF officials. The scam begins with a letter, email, or Facebook post. It tells potential victims to contact the IMF for the issuance of a “Certificate of International Capital Transfer” or other forms of approval...
Don’t Answer Calls from These Area Codes
Recently the Indiana Attorney General, Greg Zoeller, provided information regarding calls from area codes from whence many scams originate.
“You’ve Won a Government Grant”
We’ve written about this before, but it always seems to come around again. In fact, just yesterday, your BBB® received at least 3 phone calls from consumers who’ve been offered a grant usually amounting to thousands of dollars either for banking information, an advanced fee or both...
Some Electronic Buyback Websites Sued by FTC
You just purchased a new cell phone. But what to do with your old one? Several electronic buyback sites promise to pay top dollar, but your BBB brings news from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that they don’t always follow through.
In a blog post dated October 11, 2016, the FTC announced it filed a lawsuit against Laptop & Desktop Repair which operated the following electronics buyback webs
Latest IRS Scam Uses Postal Mail, Email and Text Messages
Your BBB® hears daily from people with concerns relating to the IRS. Of course, these scams change all the time. Here is the newest version making the rounds.
Criminals are sending bogus emails with attachments, text messages and postal mail claiming to be from the IRS, using a phony Form CP 2000 and claiming the form relates to the Affordable Care Act...
Purchasing a Car? Read These Tips First.
A vehicle, new or used, can be one of the biggest purchases we make in our lifetimes so it is a good idea do a little homework and research before you make the purchase. Your BBB® has the following tips to keep in mind when you are purchasing a car...
2016 National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Did you know that more than one-third of U.S. consumers have experienced a computer virus, hacking incident or other cyber attack in the last year? This startling fact came from a September 2016 cyber risk research survey by HSB. To ensure that every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Department of Homeland
Is Your Heating System Ready for Winter?
September 22nd was the first day of fall, and we can already feel the nip in the air. It is a refreshing change after the dog days of summer, but all too often, fall doesn’t stick around long and we could be knee deep in snow before we know it...
Tips to Avoid Scams
Every day, your BBB® provides information to consumers on how to avoid being scammed. On blog posts like this one, we’ll often post tips to help you avoid a specific type of scam we’re hearing about. Recently, we learned that the Federal Trade Commission have combined their common tips and tricks into a list of the “10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud...
ITT Closure: What Happened and Why Students May Be at Risk for Potential Scams
In the aftermath of ITT Technical Institute’s sudden closure Tuesday, more than 35,000 displaced students are left scrambling to find options and recourse. In uncertain times, it’s easy to make hurried or rash decisions—especially if the end result appears to be favorable...
New Rules for Payday Loans
After four years of studying high-cost short-term payday and auto-title loans, your BBB® has learned that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released proposed rules intended to prevent borrowers from falling into a costly debt trap, leaving people worse off than if they hadn’t borrowed money at all...
Fake Loan Modifications Trick Homeowners into Paying Fees and Even Signing Over Property to a Criminal Operation
Your BBB® is receiving an increased number of calls from homeowners contacted by entities claiming to be mortgage servicers. People are calling and mailing homeowners, pretending to be their mortgage company, offering fake loan modifications and “trial payment plans” to lower mortgage payments.