Tri State Better Business Bureau
AT&T Cramming Victims to Receive a Credit or a Refund
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced in a Press Release that victims of AT&T, Tatto, and Acquinity bill cramming would be receiving either a credit on their next bill or a refund check soon. Your BBB® wrote about the FTC’s settlement with AT&T back in October 2014, and we have been following the story ever since.
Acc...
The One Ring Scam: Everything You Need to Know About It
Your BBB® warns that there is a new scam on the horizon! If you ever had your phone ring once and didn’t recognize the number, be glad: you just saved yourself $30! Scammers use a bunch of international area codes that don’t require a foreign code to dial up to charge people up to $30...
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.
Tips to Avoid a Hair-Raising Halloween Shopping Experience
Buying or renting a Halloween costume this season? You’re not alone.
According to the National Retail Federation, a 171 million Americans will spend close to $8.4 billion on candy, pumpkins, decorations and costumes. Most shoppers (67%) will spend their budget on costumes and candy...
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...
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
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.
Be Careful with Your “Likes” and “Shares”
Facebook has changed the way a lot of people view and interact with the world. Your BBB®, like millions of you, has a Facebook page. We like and share content from others as well as produce our own content, similar to this blog, to help educate consumers on common scams amongst other things. BBB wants to remind consumers to like and share with caution as scammers are taking advantage of this soc
Tips for Door-to-Door Home Security Solicitations
Warm weather months typically mean an increase in the occurrence of door-to-door sales for many consumers. One common category for these type sales is home security services and systems. The Tri-State BBB® has received several calls, just this week, with questions on such companies who appear to be going door-to-door...