Scam artists are clicking; here’s how to stop them

There are a variety of ways that unscrupulous individuals get your money, your identity or simply rip you off, and they continue to generate a large number of calls to TheLocalBBB. In the world of fraud, the adage goes, “If they keep happening, they must still be working.” Here are a few scams plaguing our region:

TTY relay calls

Con artists continue to use the valid and necessary hearing-impaired (TTY) relay service to swindle regional businesses out of expensive merchandise. Victims are often Web merchants who ship products based upon telephone or Internet orders.

The goal is to part businesses from their products and money through the use of stolen credit card numbers. In these cases, scam artists route telephone orders through a TTY relay operator in an attempt to shield the caller’s real identity.

Some factors common to these types of fraud include: A buyer who orders multiple quantities of high-end products; shipping destinations out of state or outside the country; overnight or expedited shipping is requested to what appears to be a residential address; the initial credit card number is declined by the bank and the customer offers an alternative number; and the caller doesn’t question the purchase price and makes no effort to negotiate a deal.

Take this type of activity as a red flag, and make the best judgment whether to continue working with the person. While we continue to educate about this on-going scam, unfortunately, businesses are still falling for it. The Better Business Bureau suggests businesses take the following steps to protect themselves:

“ Ask for the customer’s full name, address and telephone number.

“ Ask the customer to provide the name of their credit card’s issuing bank and its toll-free customer service number, which is printed on the back of all credit cards.

“ Ask for the three or four digit card verification code that’s found near the account number.

“ Tell the buyer that you’ll check with the bank and call them back. When you do that, keep good notes. Verify all information the buyer gives.

Hooked by a phish

We handle several calls each day on the subject of phishing. Here’s how this one works: You get an e-mail from a company you have a relationship with (or perhaps don’t have a relationship with). The e-mail tells you that the company has experienced technical difficulties with its computer system, so “please, would you verify your personal information for us by clicking on the link below…” The e-mail may also state that there has been a security breach or some other issue they need your help to clear up. To make it easy, they provide a link within the e-mail that will take you to “their” Web site. Not so. When you click on the link provided you end up at a bogus site that could fool anyone — it looks like the company’s Web site, seems official, so you go ahead and answer the questions, providing your personal information.

This is an ID theft scam and the phishers have just hooked you. They simply steal the information you have provided. We have even seen cases where a business responds. In turn, that business site is hacked and stolen. The hackers can then reroute the businesses customers directly to fraudulent operators.

Should this frighten you and keep you from using your Internet connection as a resource? No, it should simply make you more careful.

Do not use the “click through” on any e-mail that seems questionable. Exit your e-mail system, open your browser and go to the company’s Web site directly. And if there’s ever any question whether the request is real, don’t provide information, whether in person, over the phone or on the Web. Contact that merchant, if you have an account with them, and report the incident.

Yellow Page bills or solicitations?

It’s that time of year again, and we’re still seeing business owners and mangers fall victim to “national” Yellow Pages solicitations. Thinking it’s their regional bill, they send the Yellow Pages company an agreement and end up with an invoice for advertising in some obscure directory.

The best protection? Have one capable person screen all invoices and things that look like invoices. Use purchase orders to track what you buy and above all, do not just pay disputed bills because it’s easier than fighting.

I bought the ad. Now where is it?

And last, it’s the time of year for sales pitches offering alternative forms of advertising. These are the folks who want you to advertise on menus, travel guides, phone book covers, and other printed materials. While many of these are legitimate forms of getting your message out, we’re seeing more cases of non-delivery of services.

Be wary when a solicitor wants all the money up front; if they tell you that signing up immediately is necessary; wrap the message around a “feel good” cause with vague connections; or drop competitors’ or neighbors’ names to ease your suspicion.

If it’s a legitimate advertising offer, as many are, the company will give you 24 hours to do your research. A good deal will still be there tomorrow, and you may keep yourself from becoming the victim of purchased ads that never appear anywhere.

For additional information on these or any other current Better Business Bureau alerts, go to www.thelocalbbb.com or www.bbb.org. For charity reports, go to www.give.org.