Fighting Fraud

The 'Secret Sister' gift exchange campaign quickly became popular several years ago through Facebook posts promising participants would receive up to 36 gifts in exchange for sending one gift. Each holiday season, the misleading scheme pops back up. Don't fall for the scam. ...

When contacting rental car companies to book a rental, make sure you're talking with the right person. BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports of con artists impersonating rental car company representatives. They claim to be able to get you a deal on your rental, but trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for a car that doesn’t exist. ...

If you are changing your Medicare or Healthcare.gov coverage during open enrollment, watch out for unsolicited calls claiming to "help" you find the best deal. Unfortunately, scammers see this open enrollment period as a chance to trick people out of money and personal information. ...

Navigating government programs and benefits can be complicated for veterans and their families. Scammers know this and will take full advantage of the confusion. Victims of veteran scams typically report being contacted by phone, email or messaging apps like Facebook Messenger. ...

Have you received an alarming notice in the mail regarding an expiring home warranty? These notices vary in style, but the messages are the same, urging recipients to “call IMMEDIATELY” and that the letter is a “FINAL ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY.” But they are fakes. ...

The biggest scams are crypto rip-offs. Even worse, crypto recovery companies that request upfront fees are also scams. Typically, only banks and financial institutions can reverse charges and recover funds in certain crypto-related scenarios. ...

Phishing is a type of scam that targets victims by using communication that appears to be from a well-known source such as a bank, government agency or large company. In 2023, phishing scam reports to Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker nearly doubled, reaching a record high of over 9,000. There’s no end in sight as reports in 2024 indicate another record year is likely underway. ...

Since 2023, consumers across the U.S. have contacted the BBB after attempting to purchase assorted household goods from a company named “Beauty Suppliers," which claims to be headquartered in Cleveland. Consumers complain that they have paid for, but never received, items ranging from everything from spiced tea mix to deodorant to car tires. Further, the company allegedly provides fake tracking numbers and charges ambiguous purchase fees. ...