Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
Thanks to new legal changes in Ohio, the popularity of sports betting has exploded. If you think scammers haven’t noticed, think again. Last year, when similar laws were changed in neighboring states, Better Business BureauⓇ (BBBⓇ) saw an influx in reports to BBB’s Scam TrackerSM. For example, one victim told BBB, “I deposited money to put a wager for a sports game. I won the bet [and] attempted 3 times to cash out and 3 times it was declined. [I] spoke to their representative, and they needed a picture of my driver’s license, a photo of myself holding my ID, and a blank check from my bank. With all the runaround I’ve been given, it prompted me to read their reviews. [They were] all horrible reviews of a scam.” The consumer then called their credit card company to file a fraud report and alerted BBB.
Besides being conscious of scams, consumers should also practice safe betting behavior. In general, as with any gamble, consumers should never wager more than they are willing to lose. Consumers should also be knowledgeable about common terminology, types of bets, and how they work. For example, parlay, moneyline, against the spread, and over/under are just a few of the phrases consumers may encounter when placing a sports bet. In order to help consumers place bets safely, Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland is also providing the following tips:
- Start with trust – Look for an established, approved gambling service at BBB.org. Consumers should also look for a business that is licensed with the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The American Gaming Association has information about the legality of sports gambling in each state for consumers who travel to games.
- Don’t fall for tempting ads – Ignore gambling-related pop-up ads, email spam or text messages.
- Read the fine print on incentives – Gambling sites and apps often offer incentives or bonuses to new users and around major games. But like any sales pitch, these can be deceptive. Be sure to read the fine print carefully.
- Even legitimate sports betting sites have the right to freeze your winnings – Gambling companies can restrict an user’s activity for “seeming to have an ‘unfair advantage’ or ‘irregular playing patterns,’” reports Lifehacker. Be sure to check the terms of service.
- Know when to stop – Even though gambling can be a fun social activity, it also has the ability to become addicting to some individuals. Consumers can contact the Ohio Casino Control Commission for information on how to get help.
Consumers can also report suspected scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker. These reports help others avoid falling victim to scams. Consumers can visit the Scam Tracker website to view the latest reported scams in their neighborhood or across North America. Questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216-241-7678 or [email protected].
