Public Awareness Campaign March 2015 #bbbtop10scams http://go.bbb.org/BC-bbbtop10scams
Campaign Overview Strives to be the most consumer and industry focused awareness ➔ campaign in British Columbia, Canada and North America Highlights what BBB and community partners identify as most ➔ pervasive scams that target the consumer, general public and businesses With the support of our partners, the BBB Top 10 Scams… ➔ ENGAGES ➨ EDUCATES ➨ PROTECTS consumers and businesses throughout your community Let BBB be your advocate for... ➔ TRUST + TRANSPARENCY + PREVENTION
The Better Business Bureau Serving Mainland BC BBB TOP 10 SCAM Partners
SCAM 1: TOP AUTO SCAM; LOW PRICE Scammers cash in when a buyer doesn’t do their homework and have the car inspected or check what the car is actually worth. Tips: ● Do your research, canadianblackbook.com ● Bring a friend ● CarFax/CarProof ● Get the car inspected ● If price is too good to be true, something may be amiss ● Be wary of sob stories Associations: ● Vehicle Sales Authority
SCAM 2: TOP EMOTIONAL SCAM CONS tug at our heartstrings to raise money for illegal fund raising groups. Tips: ● Donate to organizations you have given to in the past ● Ask for registration details as a formal charity or business ● Ignore unsolicited emails ● Look for https:// and the ‘lock’ icon ● Check with Canada Revenue Agency Associations: ● BBB & partners
SCAM 3: TOP IDENTITY THEFT SCAM Scammers pose as Microsoft technicians and claim your computer has a virus and needs to be fixed. Tips: ● Hang up the phone ● Understand Microsoft does not operate this way ● Could come in the form of email, don’t click on any links, just delete it ● Don’t allow anyone remote control of your computer unless you initiate contact Associations: ● BBB & partners
SCAM 4: TOP SOCIAL MEDIA SCAM CONS try to establish friendships online and steal your identity through common social media platforms. Tips: ● Delete the request ● Set privacy settings high ● Contact your friend ● Do reverse image check ● Do they have any mutual friends? ● Facebook has report option Associations: ● BBB & partners
SCAM 5: TOP ROMANCE SCAM Internet dating site trolls pretend to fall for you but they want your money not your heart. Tips: ● Go slow; don’t use personal email ● Do a reverse image check ● Check if they viewed your profile ● Look for bad grammar ● Watch for claims of being out of the country Associations: ● BBB & partners
SCAM 6: TOP SERVICES SCAM The scammer calls up claiming to be from BC Hydro and threatens to shut off power unless a pre-paid Credit Card is provided for payment. Tips: ● Don’t make a snap decision and pay ● Hang up ● Report the call to authorities and BBB ● Call the service provider to verify Associations: ● BC Hydro
SCAM 7: TOP FINANCIAL SCAM These scammers earn your trust through chat rooms, online forums and social media. Tips: ● Don’t fall for investments that offer no risk or guarantee returns ● Contact your bank or an Accredited Business for trustworthy finance professionals that can support needs ● Meet in person, do not reply to unsolicited emails Associations: ● BC Securities Commission
SCAM 8: TOP SALES SCAM Victim first receives a call from a company such as WestJet claiming you won $$$ towards a flight. Prompted to press a number at which point you are being upsold cheap Mexican vacations. Tips: ● Hang up ● Don’t follow through on prompts ● Understand WestJet does not operate this way ● Don’t recognize number, don’t answer Associations: ● BBB & partners
SCAM 9: TOP BIG DATA SCAM Big box stores such as Target and Home Depot have fallen victim to data breach. That means credit card information for thousands of consumers land in the hands of computer hackers. Tips: ● Pay close attention to your statements ● Inquire about notification ● Inform your bank ● Cancel your credit cards Associations: ● BBB & partners
SCAM 10: TOP ADVERTISING SCAM Business owners once in a while write fake reviews to make their business look better. This creates a false sense of security for the consumer. Tips: ● Take tips with a grain of salt ● Be wary of over-the-top language ● Writer may have only posted once ● Review might be very short ● 20% reviews are believed to be fake Associations: ● Competition Bureau
The Better Business Bureau Serving Mainland BC BBB TOP 10 SCAM Campaign Better Business Bureau Serving Mainland British Columbia would like to thank you for taking the time to view to our presentation. For more information, please contact us at: Evan Kelly , Senior Communications Advisor Better Business Bureau Serving Mainland BC 604-488-8702 evan@mbc.bbb.org
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