BBB Scam Alerts for September 2012

Sept. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. (September 12, 2012) — In an effort to keep the public informed, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina offers monthly Scam Alerts:

BBB urges consumers to beware of phony mortgage financing ads that can be found on social media sites. These ads often make false claims of being sponsored by government rescue programs. They may include a Web site link directing you to an “online refinance center.” Many of these bogus sites request personal information and require upfront fees, as well. BBB reminds consumers to never provide any credit card information or other personal information, unless you are using a secure Web site.

BBB warns that consumers have been contacted through fliers, e-mails, text messages and even door-to-door with claims that President Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills. Scam artists are claiming they need the consumers’ Social Security or bank routing numbers to arrange payments. In return, customers are given a phony bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills. In reality, customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not, and they have just provided the scam artists with their personal information.

BBB warns consumers that scam artists are sending e-mails that appear to come from Facebook regarding recent activity they may have missed on the social media site. The scam artists do an excellent job of replicating Facebook’s colors, logo and language, but hovering over the link will reveal that the real destination is a third party Web site. BBB reminds consumers to avoid clicking on any questionable links or attachments, especially if the e-mail is from an unknown source.

BBB has been alerted that consumers nationwide are receiving phony letters claiming to be from a company called “U.S. Airlines.” The letters tell the consumers that they have won two airline tickets and that they must respond soon to claim their prize. Respondents are then asked to attend an informational meeting about a travel club where consumers can expect to be pressured to provide a credit card number to pay for fees and taxes. BBB reminds consumers to use caution when asked to provide any credit card information or other personal information. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

About BBB serving Eastern North Carolina
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from more than 3,000 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit bbb.org.