WEATHER ALERT
Fraudsters target small businesses with scams. Here are some to watch out for
Read full article: Fraudsters target small businesses with scams. Here are some to watch out forIt’s never fun to be scammed, but if you’re a small business owner then falling for a scam can have long-lasting effects on a business, damaging client relationships and profit.
Floridians encouraged to connect with trusted contractors before Idalia hits
Read full article: Floridians encouraged to connect with trusted contractors before Idalia hitsHolly Salmons of the Better Business Bureau said Floridians need to shop for professional contractors now before Idalia makes landfall.
Avoiding contractor scams: ‘Do your homework, or face a headache later on.’
Read full article: Avoiding contractor scams: ‘Do your homework, or face a headache later on.’With the Department of Business and Professional Regulations easing licensing restrictions to help people recover from Hurricane Ian, now more than ever, folks need to be vigilant when it comes to contractor scams.
Better Business Bureau warns against fraudulent fundraising campaigns in wake of Surfside collapse
Read full article: Better Business Bureau warns against fraudulent fundraising campaigns in wake of Surfside collapseThe Better Business Bureau is warning against fraudulent fundraising in the wake of the Surfside, Florida building collapse.
Florida puppy schemes up 140% amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Florida puppy schemes up 140% amid COVID-19 pandemic“We love having dogs,” Morris said with her two dogs sitting in her lap. “And I’m like, ‘Ehh, I’m not so sure about this, because I cannot see them both beforehand.”Red flag number four. Through emails and voicemails, we asked both the seller and Dreamline Carriers if they were involved in a puppy scam. AdThrough a Google search, News 6 also found language copied verbatim from another shipping website, nearly identical in a layout to Dreamline’s website. They have time to raise a puppy.”According to the BBB’s scam tracker, 254 Floridians reported a type of puppy scam last year, compared to 103 in 2019.
Don’t share COVID-19 vaccine card on social media, BBB says
Read full article: Don’t share COVID-19 vaccine card on social media, BBB saysAll rights reserved)Vaccination record cards are shown before residents are inoculated, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at the Isles of Vero Beach assisted and independent senior living community in Vero Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)The latest scam has to do with COVID-19 vaccine cards. Vaccination cards have personal information on them like your full name, your birthday and where you got your vaccine. AdScammers have been caught selling fake vaccination cards online in Great Britain. If you want to share the momentous occasion online, you can take a photo of your vaccine sticker or take a selfie at the clinic.
How to spot fake shopping sites and avoid being scammed
Read full article: How to spot fake shopping sites and avoid being scammedOnline shopping scams are on the rise as thieves look to take advantage of the increase in people shopping online during the pandemic. Online shopping scams, like the one Black fell for, are on the rise as thieves take advantage of the surge of people flocking to the internet during the pandemic. To lure you onto the sites, scammers pay for ads on Facebook, Google and other websites. So far this year, the FTC has received more than 37,000 reports of online shopping fraud, amounting to $27 million in losses. You can also report the site on the Better Business Bureau and FTC websites, which could help others from being scammed.
COVID-19 vaccine scams at center of new crime-fighting effort
Read full article: COVID-19 vaccine scams at center of new crime-fighting effortORLANDO, Fla. – Scammers base their strategies on the times, and according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which tracks scams and bad practices, COVID-19 is no different. Situations like this are part of the reason the Department of Homeland Security has relaunched a crime-fighting effort called Operation Stolen Promise 2.0. According to a recent press release, agents are now “preparing for a surge” in fraudulent COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Operation Stolen Promise 2.0 is a spinoff of an effort earlier this year, aimed at dismantling COVID-19 scams we have already seen nationwide: scams like fake COVID-19 tests, stimulus check fraud, and fake PPE equipment. You can also report scams to our your local Better Business Bureau by visiting Scam Tracker.
Better Business Bureau warns of online puppy scams ahead of holidays
Read full article: Better Business Bureau warns of online puppy scams ahead of holidaysThe Better Business Bureau is warning of a spike in online pet scams during the pandemic and to be on guard if you’re considering buying a pet over the holidays. There were more reports of fraudulent pet websites in the U.S. and Canada in April than the first three months leading up to the start of the pandemic. The Better Business Bureau recommends seeing the pet in person before paying any money. Do a reverse-image search of the pet photo and search for a distinctive phrase in the pet description. Do some research and find out the fair price for the breed you want and consider adopting from a local animal shelter instead.
Warning: Think twice before sharing your senior photo on social media
Read full article: Warning: Think twice before sharing your senior photo on social mediaThe Better Business Bureau says it “seems like harmless fun,” but you should think twice before sharing your senior photo online. The BBB suggests the following tips to keep you safe on social media. Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what you are sharing and with whom you are sharing. If you are nervous about something you shared possibly opening you up to fraud, review and change your security settings for banking and other websites.