By Brandon Herring – bio | email
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) – The Better Business Bureau has released its list of top scams in 2010 that we should continue to watch this year. Some of the scams have been problems for years, and some others are taking on new forms specifically because of today’s economy.
Mary Dozier Harrison of Conway has first-hand experience with what the Better Business Bureau says continues to be a popular scam – identity theft.
Like in her case, identity theft scammers often use an email asking for your bank account or social security number, but these days the scam has expanded to include voice mails and text messages asking for that personal information too.
“They wanted to clarify and wanted me to give them my social security number,” Dozier Harrison said about an email she received.
Lots of scams that ask you to pay money up-front also continue to cause problems. Those include debt relief services, door-to-door sales and paying to claim a lottery or sweepstakes prize.
When it comes to debt relief, the BBB recommends non-profit credit counseling services that are available at local offices. Also, the BBB says you should pay for services or products only after you receive them.
Dozier Harrison’s friend got burned when she sent money first.
“They sent the money for the fee,” she explained. “They took the check to the bank, and then they were responsible for that money they pulled out of their account.”
Kathy Graham with the BBB office in Conway said scams targeting people struggling with the bad economy are growing. That includes those debt relief scams.
“People are getting desperate and desperate times call for desperate measures,” Graham said. “Scammers unfortunately are circling and waiting.”
Many of those scams target people looking for work, and they often ask for personal account information or a fee to process your employment. The BBB also says work from home offers rarely work out.
Charlotte Sander’s daughter fell victim to one of these apparent job-hunting scams.
“They assured her she had a job on a cruise ship, and before she knew it her account was empty,” Sanders said. “They just kept pulling money out of her account.”
One other growing scam that does not necessarily involve bogus businesses is scammers through online dating. With that scam someone you have developed an online relationship with wants to come visit but needs some money to make the trip possible.
Just like the other scams, never put up money you are not willing to lose.
Copyright 2011 WMBF News. All rights reserved.
Article source: http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=13797285
Category: Social Media Threats