Public Awareness Campaign March 2015 #bbbtop10scams - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Public Awareness Campaign March 2015

#bbbtop10scams http://go.bbb.org/BC-bbbtop10scams

➔ 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

Campaign Overview

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

• r 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

These scammers earn your trust through chat rooms,

• nline 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 7: TOP FINANCIAL SCAM

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

• f 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

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

The Better Business Bureau Serving Mainland BC

BBB TOP 10 SCAM Campaign