Scams & Fraud Prevention

Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution. ...

Don't plug into that public charging station! Commonly found in airports, hotels and shopping malls, these USB-based charging stations are conduits for hackers and scammers to potentially access your cellphone data, including passwords, images and location information.  ...

Wine, whiskey, bourbon... they're all a target for scammers to separate you from your money. Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland® (BBB®) is warning consumers about the growing number of scams associated with online alcohol-related purchases. Don't take a shot at their schemes. ...

Timeshares and vacation clubs are often synonymous with high-pressure sales. Unscrupulous sellers continue to con buyers into unfavorable deals that often worsen when desperate investors offload purchases through the timeshare exit industry. ...

Social Security scammers use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Typically, they use the five Ps – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure and Payment. Know the signs to slam the scam. ...

In a new twist on the “Grandparent Scam,” bad actors are now targeting family members using voice cloning technology. The Grandparent Scam is a well-known extortion scheme involving a telephone call or message from someone posing as a grandchild who has gotten into trouble. ...

Choosing an assisted living facility is a big decision. Whether you decide for yourself or a loved one, you want to find a new home that meets all your clinical, financial and lifestyle needs. Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland has tips for researching assisted living facilities and finding the best option for you. ...

Social Security works with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. OIG can impose severe penalties against anyone who engages in misleading Social Security-related advertising or imposter communications. ...