Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Settlement check for credit card charges on purchases made overseas is legitimate, but have prompted hundreds of calls to Better Business Bureau.
If you've received a check for $18 in the mail recently from the Foreign Currency Fee Litigation Settlement Fund, it's no scam, says the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB). Normally, the organization warns consumers to be leery of unsolicited checks received in the mail because the checks are usually counterfeit. But this time, they say checks that Wisconsinites may be receiving this week are legitimate. The BBB received hundreds of calls this week from consumers asking about the legitimacy of the $18 check, but they are advising that the checks are safe to be cashed and deposited. The checks are the result of a 2009 settlement over the fees credit card companies charged people when using their card abroad. Those who traveled outside …
Monday, November 28, 2011
With an uptick in sales over last year in the malls, the focus for shoppers - and scammers - now turns to the internet.
While actual numbers are not in yet, estimates for Black Friday sales ranged anywhere from six to more than 16 percent over last years sales. As the crowds now head back to work, they don't necessarily stop shopping, and hence 'Cyber Monday' is born. While nearly everyone has a computer at home, many who don't want their kids or spouse to see what they're ordering do so on their work computers, in a big way. According to the National Retail Federation, seven in 10 online retailers expect their sales to grow at least 15 percent this holiday season. The survey also found that the average person plans to do 36 percent of his or her holiday shopping online – up from 33 percent last year. While shopping online means avoiding the crowds, but it …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Better Business Bureau is warning businesses to beware of a phishing scam.
Just when holiday shopping is about to kick into full swing, a new scam is emerging. This one targets businesses and the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin wants owners and managers to know not to respond. In a written release from the BBB, the organization says it has received hundreds of calls from businesses about an email indicating a complaint has been filed against them. The fake message even includes a link to the "complaint," the organization's logo, and appears to come from the BBB using email addresses like alert@bbb.org; risk@bbb.org; and service@bbb.org. This is what the email looks like: From: alert@bbb.org [mailto:alert@bbb.org] Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 6:26 AM To: ******** Subject: Complaint # 22101311 Importance…
Thursday, November 10, 2011
It seems unthinkable, but veterans are a favorite target of scammers; here's what's out there and how to arm yourself against rip-offs.
With Veteran's Day observed on Friday, the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin (BBB) has released a list of scams that target this group, whether recently returned from duty or elderly vets just returned from an Honor Flight. In addition they offer a little defense to make sure your bank account isn't cleaned out. The Enemies • Firms that target veterans and charge them for products and services they can receive free or at lower cost elsewhere, such as military records and forms. Lyon Research, a company charging veterans $90 for access to their military records, was one such incident the BBB warned consumers about. • Scammers who contact veterans saying that they need to update their credit card information or other records with the …
Friday, October 28, 2011
Here today, gone tomorrow nature of seasonal stores can leave customers with a disappointing costume and no way to return.
Temporary costume stores like the inflatable pumpkin at State Fair Park and other Halloween boutiques pop up across the area in August, but are usually gone by Nov. 1. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is therefore advising last-minute shoppers to check the businesses out with the BBB before patronizing unfamiliar stores or websites. According to a release from the BBB, it "received 378 complaints about costume stores and websites last year. The complaints included deliveries that were late or never arrived, poor quality and difficulty obtaining refunds. Some customers found the stores closed when they returned to report a problem." “A costume may look cute and the price may seem right, but it pays to check into a site’s reputation and …
Friday, September 30, 2011
Better Business Bureau warns that ticket scammers love the playoffs, too and provide advice to keep fans from getting burned.
Milwaukee Brewers fans beware! Scammers may be out selling fake playoff tickets. That the word from the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin (BBB) President and CEO Randall Hoth, who warns that "sports fans can get burned by purchasing counterfeit tickets or paying in advance for tickets that never arrive." Reselling tickets has become a $10 billion a year business, including tickets bought and sold by professional brokers as well as those purchased and resold by speculators and season ticket holders. With the internet, the likelihood of being scammed rises dramatically as well. (Click here to see the Brewers playoff schedule.) The BBB offers the following advice for Milwaukee Brewers' fans seeking tickets:
Friday, September 23, 2011
Las Vegas company has been cited in complaints to Better Business Bureau, and has already bilked two sellers in Wisconsin.
It's perhaps one of the most difficult types of real estate to sell, so the temptation to jump at the chance to sell a timeshare may get owners in worse financial trouble, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is warning timeshare owners who are trying to sell or rent their timeshares to beware of a Las Vegas-based company, City Resorts, after two Wisconsin residents - one from Fond du Lac and another from Oconomowoc - lost almost $3,500. City Resorts told the residents that it had a buyer for their timeshares. However, after paying a fee for closing costs or processing fees to City Resorts, buyers for the timeshare never materialized. The phone number, website and email have also been disconnected for City Resorts, and …
Joseph
5:39 pm on Thursday, November 24, 2011
Can you please unlink the BBB page? When you hover over it, it shows the bad address. At least put the bad page link in parenthesis. more ›