Scams & Fraud Prevention

A new study from Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) highlights alarming growth in online gambling-related scams and consumer complaints, exposing how inconsistent laws and a lack of oversight allow grey market and illegal operators to thrive. ...

Are your grandkids begging you for the hottest toy of the year? Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) Serving Greater Cleveland is issuing a consumer alert regarding counterfeit Labubu doll scams targeting buyers of the trending collectible toys. Consumers are getting lured by shady websites, social media ads and pop-up sellers offering fake products or taking payment without delivering anything. ...

Back-to-school shopping is in full swing. Whether shopping in-store or online, planning and staying informed can help make this season less stressful—and more affordable. Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) Serving Greater Cleveland is offering helpful tips to ensure a smooth, safe and budget-friendly shopping experience. ...

It's a scammy world out there. Protect yourself by picking up or downloading a copy of the free Scam Squad Guide offered through the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs. ...

If someone you have met online is eager to 'help' you invest your money, consider it a major red flag—it’s likely a scam. The Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland warns that the No. 1 riskiest scam is now investment/cryptocurrency scams, with 80 percent of targets losing money. ...

To mark National Consumer Protection Week 2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs is announcing its new Scam Squad Guide, created with the expertise of more than three dozen Scam Squad partner agencies. In 2024, scammers stole at least $3.4 million from Cuyahoga County residents, almost three times more than the previous year. ...

You may come across a product online that catches your interest, often through a social media ad. You click on the link to the company’s website, find the product, and complete the checkout process. That's when the problems begin. ...

With so many purchases made during the holiday season, it can be easy to miss a fraudulent credit card charge or two—especially if it seems to come from a charity. Keep a close eye on your credit card statement this time of year. If you notice charitable donations that you don’t remember making, it’s likely not a memory lapse; you were a victim of credit card fraud. Beware of these red flags before you take the bait. ...