Better Business Bureaus across the country have been issuing warnings of the latest known scams being perpetrated nationwide.
Here are a few of their latest warnings;
BBB warns of Postcard Scam
The Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona issued a warning yesterday about scammers who leave postcards in mailboxes that are similar to the ones the Postal Service uses when it holds a customer's package or letter. They look a lot like the green certified mail receipts.
The postcard, which has been received by some Southern Arizona residents, tells receivers to call a toll-free telephone number to claim a parcel that's being held for them, according to the BBB. The card also says callers should have their credit card information ready.
According to the BBB it's just a marketing gimmick and people should remember that cards left by the Postal Service won't ask for credit-card information.
BBB Warns of Scams Targeting Seniors
The Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Northeast California office has issued an area-wide alert warning of a series of scams targeting local seniors and urging people to use caution when being approached for money -- even if the request comes from somebody claiming to be a relative.
Locally, the BBB has received dozens of complaints against fraudulent companies from consumers who have supposedly been selected to be mystery shoppers or who are told they have won large sums of money from a lottery.
The latest scam involves fake checks of between $3,000 and $5,000 that are sent to the prospective victim along with an explanation that the funds are for lottery winnings, a prize promotion or mystery shopping.
The victim is given a reason to deposit the check promptly and then send back a portion of the alleged funds for taxes, registration or confirmation. When the "prize" checks bounce, usually 14 days later, the victim is left responsible for the funds they withdrew from the bank -- usually around $1,000. MORE
BBB Warns of Bogus Scam Using BBB Name
The Better Business Bureau of the South Plains Inc. is alerting customers and businesses of a phishing scheme involving e-mail messages and blog posts that encourage the registration of software with the BBB.
"The messages and posts are most likely part of a large-scale phishing scheme leveraging the trusted nature of the BBB name to entice recipients and bloggers to open messages and access attachments or links," said Nan Campbell, president of the local chapter.
Campbell said the bogus messages, which began appearing Thursday, provided a link for the process.
The BBB also discovered phony "notices and postings" on various blogs being used as additional tactic to reach victims. The BBB said the attack did not affect its computer systems or networks nor has any data been compromised.
BBB Warns of Fake Check Scam
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is warning residents about a scam using fake checks to steal money. The BBB said it received hundreds of inquiries from consumers around the state who received a check and letter announcing they were approved for a home improvement grant.
The checks claim to be from "Briggs & Stratton Division, P.O. Box 704, Milwaukee, WI." The Briggs & Stratton manufacturing company has no connection to the scam, according to the BBB.
The letter tells people to deposit the check, then withdraw money from their account to send to "agents" for fees and taxes.
Consumers are advised to not respond to the letters or deposit the fake checks.
Read more info to find tips how to avoid scams: Known Scams, and search scam/hoax blog entries
Here are a few of their latest warnings;
BBB warns of Postcard Scam
The Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona issued a warning yesterday about scammers who leave postcards in mailboxes that are similar to the ones the Postal Service uses when it holds a customer's package or letter. They look a lot like the green certified mail receipts.
The postcard, which has been received by some Southern Arizona residents, tells receivers to call a toll-free telephone number to claim a parcel that's being held for them, according to the BBB. The card also says callers should have their credit card information ready.
According to the BBB it's just a marketing gimmick and people should remember that cards left by the Postal Service won't ask for credit-card information.
BBB Warns of Scams Targeting Seniors
The Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Northeast California office has issued an area-wide alert warning of a series of scams targeting local seniors and urging people to use caution when being approached for money -- even if the request comes from somebody claiming to be a relative.
Locally, the BBB has received dozens of complaints against fraudulent companies from consumers who have supposedly been selected to be mystery shoppers or who are told they have won large sums of money from a lottery.
The latest scam involves fake checks of between $3,000 and $5,000 that are sent to the prospective victim along with an explanation that the funds are for lottery winnings, a prize promotion or mystery shopping.
The victim is given a reason to deposit the check promptly and then send back a portion of the alleged funds for taxes, registration or confirmation. When the "prize" checks bounce, usually 14 days later, the victim is left responsible for the funds they withdrew from the bank -- usually around $1,000. MORE
BBB Warns of Bogus Scam Using BBB Name
The Better Business Bureau of the South Plains Inc. is alerting customers and businesses of a phishing scheme involving e-mail messages and blog posts that encourage the registration of software with the BBB.
"The messages and posts are most likely part of a large-scale phishing scheme leveraging the trusted nature of the BBB name to entice recipients and bloggers to open messages and access attachments or links," said Nan Campbell, president of the local chapter.
Campbell said the bogus messages, which began appearing Thursday, provided a link for the process.
The BBB also discovered phony "notices and postings" on various blogs being used as additional tactic to reach victims. The BBB said the attack did not affect its computer systems or networks nor has any data been compromised.
BBB Warns of Fake Check Scam
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is warning residents about a scam using fake checks to steal money. The BBB said it received hundreds of inquiries from consumers around the state who received a check and letter announcing they were approved for a home improvement grant.
The checks claim to be from "Briggs & Stratton Division, P.O. Box 704, Milwaukee, WI." The Briggs & Stratton manufacturing company has no connection to the scam, according to the BBB.
The letter tells people to deposit the check, then withdraw money from their account to send to "agents" for fees and taxes.
Consumers are advised to not respond to the letters or deposit the fake checks.
Read more info to find tips how to avoid scams: Known Scams, and search scam/hoax blog entries
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I received an e-mail that looked to be from my friend and he needed money.
It had come from my friend's correct e-mail address but it was out of the ordinary for him to ask anyone for money.
The e-mail claimed he was traveling and ran into trouble. He requested I wire him cash ASAP.
Even though this was his email address, because of the out of ordinary request for money, I decided to call him.
My suspicions were right. The e-mail was a scam and his account had been hacked.
He thanked me for alerting him and he quickly sent out a letter to everyone in his address book to notify them of this fraud and his new e-mail address.
Thank you for your warnings and alerts. You have saved me and who knows how many other readers from being scammed.
It is always so nice to hear that something I posted helped someone from being scammed!
Thanks very much for sharing with me -and others.
Your story will help others too.
I'm sure once someone reads your post, it will give them reason to pause before simply trusting that emails are always legit, and people are really who they claim to be!
-Thanks Again!!
Denise