Scams & Fraud Prevention

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. ...

During the holiday season, consumers are often targeted by fraudulent text messages posing as major delivery carrier companies. These messages typically ask recipients to click a link to “update delivery preferences” or to “reschedule a delivery” for a package. However, these links may be fake and lead to scams that can steal personal information, and money, or install malware on a device. ...

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. ...