Better Business Bureau and Western Union today launched BBB Scam Stopper, an education campaign to help consumers in the United States and Canada avoid common scams that con artists use to commit consumer fraud.Consumer fraud is a serious problem in North America. According to the Federal Trade Commission and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, consumers reported losing more than $1.5 billion to all types of scams in 2011.
Western Union has long devoted extensive resources to stopping fraud, including training its agents to intervene if they suspect a customer is the victim of a scam. BBB investigates thousands of scams every year, and tracks scams through reports from consumers and businesses, a number of which use wire transfer.
On the Scam Stopper website, consumers can find facts and tips to stay informed and help reduce their chances of becoming a victim of a scam. The site also explains the science of scams, and how scammers use many of the same “sales tactics” that are used by legitimate businesses. Visitors can also sign up to receive BBB Scam Alerts, weekly emails with the latest scams reported to BBBs across the country.
The site highlights common scams like Emergency Scams (a friend or family member has an emergency, often in another country, and needs money), Overpayment Scams (a buyer overpays and asks for the difference wired back to them), Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams (you’ve won a lot of money, but you have to pre-pay taxes before claiming your prize), and more.
Personal finance writer/blogger Erica Sandberg has also joined the effort and is blogging and creating public service announcements about scams and fraud for BBB Scam Stopper.
For more information, visit www.bbb.org/scamstopper.
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