Better Business Bureau Highlights Scams To Expect In 2012
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The Better Business Bureau continues to examine the worst scams that people can expect to encounter in 2012, but experts say some caution and common sense can go a long way toward avoiding them. NY1’s Asa Aarons filed the following report.Better Business Bureaus coast-to-coast recently compiled a list of the scams people are most likely to encounter in the upcoming year.
First of all, those looking for romance should approach online dating with great care.
“It can turn out to be an imposter scam, dealing with somebody that says they’re somebody that they’re not,” says Claire Rosenzweig of the BBB.
If someone claiming to be something they are not sounds a bit like half the dates you've been on, there is another way to detect dating fraud.
“Ultimately they’re going to ask you for money, to wire them money,” says Rosenzweig.”
As they say, when the money's gone, love flies out the window.
Next, there are debt counselors—people who promise to fix credit for an advance fee.
“There’s no reason for you to be giving an upfront fee to a company to do something that you could do on your own and giving away money that you could be using to pay down your debt,” says Rosenzweig.
In many areas, it’s actually illegal to charge upfront fees for credit repair. Check the BBB for a list of nonprofit debt counselors for guidance on how to fix your own credit.
Finally, there’s the grandparents scam. It starts with a call from someone claiming to be the grandchild.
“There’s usually some sort of a desperate situation where the grandparent is supposed to send this grandchild money. They’re claiming they’re in jail, they’re claiming they’re arrested and that the only way they’re going to be saved is if the grandparent saves them,” says Rosenzweig.
BBB’s files are loaded with accounts of people falling for this yarn and wiring money to imposter children, spouses, friends, bosses, and even grandchildren.
Rosenzweig offers advice for those who are approached.
“Try to call your grandchild at the number that they would be at at home or at school. You will find the grandchild right where they’re supposed to be,” says Rosenzweig.
The Better Business Bureau has been tracking scams nationwide for decades. Check out their website at bbb.org.