Stay informed on the latest scams with the Better Business Bureau's® (BBB) Scam Tracker.
Discover current scams reported by locals to help you stay vigilant and recognize the tactics used by scammers. These firsthand accounts come from individuals who have encountered fraud and aim to help others steer clear of similar experiences.
A romance scam is when you meet someone online and begin an online romance. Shortly after connecting, they begin asking for money for various reasons.
If you are concerned you were involved in a romance scam, give us a call. We are here to help you.
A scam where you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a large technology company, virus software vendor, or online retailers.
Once the money is gone, recovering this money is not a guarantee. Be sure to verify what this person is saying about receiving a refund before sending any money.
More and more scams are being reported where individuals are being contacted about crimes they have not committed. People report being contacted by government agencies stating they missed court, drug charges are going to be pressed against them, and many other serious charges could be pressed against them.
Keep in mind government agencies will not call you about any potential charges against you. They will also not ask you to pay them in cash, deposit funds into a Bitcoin ATM or pay them in gift cards.
We will never send you a link by text or email asking you for your account number, online banking password, secure access code, or PIN.
If you have replied to or clicked on a link from a text message or email contact us as soon as possible.
Below you will find several other scams to stay aware of. Always double-check, do your research, and ask questions.
A work-at-home opportunity for mystery shopping, stuffing envelopes, processing payments, purchasing supplies for your 'new job', or you have been requested to send advance pay for services not yet performed.
You've received a letter or email indicating you won the lottery! However, you must pay taxes or a fee up front in order to receive your winnings. Have you recently entered a sweepstakes or lottery? Was this sweepstakes or lottery outside the United States? If you are unsure about this letter or email, contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
You receive a letter or email indicating a relative has passed away and in order to receive your inheritance, you need to pay fees, taxes, or legal fees upfront. Another common scam is a stranger asking you to pay a small fee so they can move their inheritance to a bank in the United States, with the promise of receiving a small portion of their inheritance in return.
A new friendship created online, or an old acquaintance is requesting your assistance to receive money. They may ask you to cash a check or provide your personal login information to deposit checks or transfer funds into your checking account because they are unable to receive money in their own account. Be sure to verify who they are and their request before assisting them.
You receive a check in the mail unexpectedly, or an anticipated check is greater than agreed upon. Do not deposit the check! Let us review the check for you to ensure it's valid before you deposit it.
Those receiving social security benefits have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers are then misleading beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment through retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency such as bitcoin or cryptocurrency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments. Remember, the Social Security Administration will never threaten you, promise to increase your benefits if you pay them, or ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer, or internet currency such as Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.
A "relative" contacts you stating they have a medical or other emergency and need money right away. They will address you as Dad, Grandma, Uncle, etc. but the information they provide on where to send the funds is an individual you do not know. Before helping, verify this person's information to ensure you are speaking to an actual relative and not somebody pretending to be related to you. If the location, name of the person, or their story doesn't seem right, give us a call and we would be happy to assist you.
Scammers often request payments be made via gift card. This typically happens when making an online purchase on an unfamiliar website, in an online romance, and refund or overpayment scams. If you are unsure about a payment request, contact us and we will be happy to assist.
Be cautious and verify their identity, links in emails, text messages, and phone calls. If you need assistance, we are ready and available to help.
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