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A podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Tell Alexa to play your favorite
song. Ask Siri about the weather. Use Google Assistant to turn down the air conditioner.
But don’t ask your smart device to look up a phone number, because it could
accidentally point you to a scam.

How the scam works

You need the phone number for a company, so you ask your home’s smart device,
which might be Google Home, Siri, or Alexa, to find and dial it for you. But when the
company’s “representative” answers, you start to notice some red flags. This
representative may insist they can only help you if you make a payment by wire transfer
or prepaid debit cards. Other times, they demand remote access to your computer or
point you to a scam website.

One recent victim reported to BBB Scam Tracker: “I used Siri to look up the United
Airlines customer service line. Somehow, the call was connected to a different
company… The agent pretended to be a United Airlines agent and said he could help
me cancel my flight. The fee was $125. I was convinced it was United Airlines, but the
next day I realized my mistake. They said they would refund my money, but only after I
threatened to call the police. I’m still waiting for a refund.” Read more about airline
booking scams.

In another version of this scam, a consumer tried using voice search to contact Roku
with a question about setting up their device. Instead, someone pretending to represent
Roku charged them an $80 “activation fee” for a service that doesn’t exist. Learn more
about similar cons targeting smart TV owners.

In all versions of this scam, the “representative” isn’t from the company you were
searching for at all. Instead, scammers created a fake customer service number and
bumped it to the top of the search results. These bad actors hope that when consumers
do a voice search using Siri, Alexa, or another device, the algorithm will accidentally
pick their scam number and an unsuspecting victim will contact them directly.

Tips to avoid this scam:

● Be careful when searching for support phone numbers. Rather than doing an
online search or letting your smart device look up a number, use the contact
information on the business’s website (always double check the URL) on your
bill, receipt, or in your confirmation email.

Beware of fake ads. Scammers create bad ads with fake customer service
numbers. Using voice search to find a number can make it harder to tell a phony
listing from the real one. Get your information from the official company website
or official correspondence.

● Go straight to the source. For example, if you need to get in touch with Amazon,
use the Amazon mobile app or website. This goes whether you’re seeking
customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your
account. Visit the Message Center on Amazon.com or on the official app to
review authentic emails from Amazon. Remember that reputable companies like
Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information for products or
services over the phone.

● Make payments with your credit card. It’s easier to dispute a credit card payment.
Paying by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card is like using cash. There is almost
nothing you can do to get the money back.

For more information

Check out these tips from the FTC.gov on security and smart home devices. In Canada,
check out these consumer affairs tips.  To learn more about scams, go to BBB.org/ScamTips. If you’ve been targeted by this scam, help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience on BBB.org/ScamTracker.  Stay one step ahead of scammers by subscribing to BBB’s weekly Scam Alert emails.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!

A podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust!

“Honey, we have a problem with the sink…”  When your significant other says those words, it’s never a good sign.  Having a reliable plumbing system is something that many take for granted. It’s plumbing that allows clean water to flow into your home and dirty wastewater to flow out. When that service is interrupted, and it’s not just a minor problem – you need it
fixed, and fast.  But how do you know whether to grab your tools (or a plunger) and head to the bathroom, or grab the phone and call a (BBB Accredited) plumber instead? When is the
plumbing problem too big for you and best left to the experts? When the situation
threatens your health and safety, your comfort and sense of security, and your home’s
value – you want to be sure it gets fixed correctly.

Safety and health

First and foremost, the health and safety of your family takes priority. Can you safely
and effectively resolve the problem, or does this fix need to be handled by a
professional?

Here are some examples of plumbing situations that could potentially cause safety
risks:

· Sewer backups or standing water – sewer blockages can be caused by something
flushed in the toilet, or by tree roots growing into your pipes. You’ll notice a terrible
smell, and sewage or dirty water may start coming up into your drains, causing a health
hazard.
· Burst pipes – cold weather often results in frozen pipes, and older pipes can rust.
Water rushing into your house can cause structural problems, like a collapsed ceiling or
damaged floors, that compromise your safety.
· Mold – if a leaky pipe has caused mold to grow, you could have a health issue.
Get a plumber to fix the pipe and a mold remediation company to help you get rid of the
unhealthy mold.

Comfort and security

A plumbing issue can also impact you and your family’s comfort and sense of security. If
a plunger won’t fix the problem, maybe it’s time to call an expert.

· Overflowing toilets – if you’ve tried plunging and the water won’t stop flowing, shut
off the valve at the bottom where the water comes in and give the plumber a call.
Nobody wants to be without a bathroom when nature calls.

· Clogged drains – if you’ve tried to unclog your sink or tub but there is no water
getting through, you may have a blockage that requires a plumber’s assistance. Your
teenager isn’t going to like being told that she can’t take a shower, so it’s best to get that
fixed quickly.

· Water heater failure – lack of hot water can impact more than just a hot shower.
You could end up with damaged floors if your tank leaks. A lack of heated water could
also lead to burst pipes in a cold climate. If your heater uses natural gas, you may even
have a safety issue (leave the home and call the police if you smell a rotten egg smell).

· Sump pump problems – if you live in a low-lying area and have a sump pump, you
could have serious water damage if the pump fails. If you notice loud noises or odd
behavior, call in a pro.

· No water/water pressure – If you don’t have any water or your water pressure is
very low, but you don’t know why, tearing down your own walls or digging up your yard
to find the problem yourself probably isn’t the best solution. Call in an expert plumber to
diagnose your problem.

Home value

Other plumbing issues may impact the value of your home when it comes time to sell or
relocate. Consider hiring a plumber if you have these issues and can’t fix them on your
own:

· Outdated pipes and plumbing fixtures
· A septic system that needs to be maintained or pumped
· A leak that has caused water damage or mold
· An outside faucet that leaks water into your foundation
· Upgrading to a new appliance (like a dishwasher or washer) and it isn’t as simple
as you thought.  Although it may seem tempting and less expensive to try to resolve plumbing issues yourself, realize that sometimes it ends up being more costly if your DIY project doesn’t work or isn’t up to code. Hiring a licensed, insured plumber will give you peace of mind that your job is done right.

BBB Accredited plumbers adhere to BBB’s Accreditation Standards and BBB checks to
ensure proper licensure. In addition, by going to BBB.org to find a plumber near you,
you can check reviews and read how the business resolved any complaints. Remember
to look for the BBB Seal- It’s the Sign of a Better Business.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!

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A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Recently, BBB Scam Tracker
has received multiple reports of an online shopping scam on TikTok. It’s a sneaky one! It
starts with a disgruntled employee supposedly seeking revenge and ends with victims
ordering hundreds of dollars in phony merchandise.

How the scam works

You come across a TikTok video featuring someone claiming they were recently fired at
a high-end jewelry store. The termination was completely undeserved, and they are
angry. To take their revenge, they are sharing their top-secret employee discount code
with anyone who wants it. This code gives you up to 100 percent off the company’s
merchandise. That’s right, they claim you can get expensive jewelry for free! As long as
you’re willing to pay shipping, that is.

You may notice some red flags when you checkout using the ex-employee discount
code. One consumer reported: “As you add more things from the website to your cart,
the shipping cost increases disproportionately… However, this still seems like a ‘deal’
because you are getting a 100% discount on (faux) jewelry that costs $100-200.”
However, that’s not the only warning sign. The consumer added, “There is no
cancellation mechanism on their website/order confirmation email, no social media, no
address, and no phone number. You can only contact them via an email address.”

If you fall for this scam, you won’t receive the high-quality jewelry you thought you
ordered. You may get cheaply made knockoffs – or nothing at all. Also, you’ll be out any
money you spent on “shipping” too.

The current version of this scam involves a jewelry store, but watch out for other
variations as scammers change their schemes to avoid detection. This con would work
with high-cost items like electronics or designer handbags.

How to avoid online shopping scams

● Don’t fall for deals that are too good to be true. Scammers love to draw people in
with this bait. If a deal seems extraordinarily good, stay skeptical. Research the
company thoroughly before you buy.
● Only shop with reputable companies. It’s always best to shop with companies
you already know and trust. That said, if you come across an appealing item from
an unfamiliar business, it’s especially important to do research. Look up the
company’s website, physical address, and contact information. Read reviews
from customers on third-party websites and review comments left on their social
media pages, too. You can even search the company name and the word “scam”
just to be safe.
● Always make payments with your credit card. When shopping online, use your
credit card to pay. Controlling fraudulent charges (and possibly getting your
money back) will be much easier with this payment method.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!

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A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Healthcare scams are as
varied as just about any con out there. The fraudster often poses as a government
authority to persuade you to provide personal information related to your Medicare or
Medicaid account for identity theft. In other cases, the con artist is after your health
insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare information to submit fraudulent medical charges.

How the scam works:

The scam typically starts with an email, text message, or phone call that appears to be
from a government agency. Con artists use a variety of stories. In one common version,
the “agent” tells you that he or she needs to update account information to send a new
medical card. In another version, the scammer asks for your account number in
exchange for free equipment or services. A third version involves a threatening robocall
purporting to be from HealthCare.gov or the Health Insurance Marketplace. You’re told
you must buy health insurance or face a fine. Sure enough, you’re soon asked to
provide personal information. A more recent version has reported Medicare recipients
receiving notices that new Medicare cards with microchips will be sent out and further
verification is required.

Tips to avoid this scam:

● Don’t trust a name or number. Con artists use official-sounding names or mask
their area codes by spoofing to make you trust them. Don’t fall for it.
● Hang up and go to official websites. You can enroll or re-enroll in Medicare at
Medicare.gov or a marketplace health plan at Healthcare.gov.
● Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted
you unsolicited, whether over the phone, by email, or on social media. This
includes banking and credit card information, your birthdate, Social Security or
Social Insurance number, and, of course, your health insurance number.
● Guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer your Medicare ID number,
Social Security number, health plan info, or banking information to anyone you
don’t know.
● Know the signs. Medicare will never contact you via email, text message, or
phone, asking you to verify personal information.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!

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A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust!

You used to have to go to the stadium to root on your local high school athletic team. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed that. With schools forced to restrict entry to events, they turned to online streaming of games so that people could watch from the comfort of their living rooms. While many attendance restrictions have been lifted, schools are still streaming games. Unfortunately, the scammers have followed. The scammers aim to capture personal information, including credit card and Social Security numbers, as fans log in to watch their team play. How the scam works You want to watch the local high school’s football game, or your niece’s travel softball team is playing in a tournament out of state. You search on social media to find a link where the game might be streamed, and sure enough, a fan has put in a link where you can watch for free! It’s almost time for the game to start, so you eagerly click the link. The next screen asks you to sign up for the streaming service, so you enter your name and email… and then you get asked for a credit card number and potentially more sensitive information. Are you seeing red flags yet? These scammers infiltrate social media with links to fake streams. The posts often will tag the schools involved to make the post appear legitimate. The scammers hope the would-be viewer inputs their information and pays to watch the event. The consumer doesn’t get to watch the game because the scammer has not set up a stream. Instead, whatever data they entered may be compromised. As a new school year begins, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) reminds consumers to do their research when looking to watch a high school sporting event online. “Fans need to remain diligent in where and how they find the stream of a high school contest,” Matt Troha, an Assistant Executive Director with the Illinois High School Association, told BBB. Troha said fake streaming links posted to social media lure unsuspecting fans. “On Twitter especially, take notice of account names and photos, which often seem random, and look at their follower and following numbers,” Troha said. “Low follower counts indicate the account likely was just started. Look at the content of their posts as most are nothing but tweets to stream games.” Last year, state associations that oversee high school athletics in New Mexico, Indiana, and North Carolina issued warnings about the fake streams. “If you want to watch a specific school’s game online, check with the school to see if it has streaming options available,” said Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO of the BBB office in St. Louis. “While many schools do offer live streaming now, there are others who do not.”

Until next time!

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This Podcast is from BBB of the Tri-Counties.

A BIG Thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Like many of us, older adults
are often targeted by con artists. Many victims don’t ask for help until it is too late! Help
your friends, family, clients, or patients avoid fraud by knowing the signs of current or
impending fraud.

Warning signs that fraud may occur:

● Frequent junk mail and spam calls. Incoming junk mail (illegitimate sweepstakes
offers, etc.) or receiving frequent calls from people offering valuable rewards or
asking for charitable donations are signs that fraud could easily occur or may
have already occurred.
● Unfamiliar payments are being made. Checks written or payments made to
unfamiliar or out-of-state companies should be a red flag.
● Acting secretively about phone calls or messages. When someone hides or acts
secretively about phone calls and messages, it could signify that they have
engaged a scammer.
● Sudden problems paying bills or buying food and other necessities. A sudden
lack of funds could mean an individual’s money is being drained in some form of
scam activity. The cause should be investigated to rule out fraud.
Tips for helping your loved one avoid fraud
● Become familiar with common scams targeting older adults. Knowing the most
common tactics used to target older adults can help you more quickly identify
when scams occur.
● Emphasize the criminal nature of telemarketing and email fraud. Help your loved
one learn how to identify it and help them understand that these tactics are
illegal. In participating, it is possible they could be pulled into criminal activity
unknowingly.
● Encourage the person to ignore phone calls and messages that appear
suspicious. Don’t reply to or click links within emails or text messages they are
unfamiliar with.
● Have a calm discussion about securing accounts and monitoring finances.
Helping older adults monitor their finances can be a great way to prevent scam
activity and identify if it has occurred.
● Help the person change their phone number. If constant calls continue, changing
the person’s phone number may be worth changing. Registering the number
with the Do Not Call list is a great first step, although scammers won’t necessarily
follow the Do-Not-Call list laws. If unsafe calls continue, it may be best to change
the phone number.

Recognizing abuse against older adults:

The most common types of abuse are physical, emotional, financial, and verbal. The
National Council on Aging says up to five million older Americans are abused yearly,
and the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion.
In Canada, over 10 percent of older adults are victims of crime, and some experience
violent crimes or physical abuse.

BBB recommends that family, friends, and caregivers learn the signs of abuse or
neglect in older adults. Business owners dealing in the industry can share these signs
with employees.

Until next time!

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This Podcast is by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Bed Bath & Beyond declared
bankruptcy and closed its physical stores in recent months. It was then acquired by
furniture and home furnishings e-retailer Overstock.com, a BBB Accredited Business,
which rebranded its website and mobile app to Bed Bath & Beyond in the U.S. in early
August. Scammers are taking advantage of the big changes by targeting unsuspecting
consumers with fake “going out of business” sales. Here’s what you need to know to
spot the scam.

How the scam works

You see an online ad on social media for massively marked-down Bed Bath & Beyond
products. It’s a going-out-of-business sale, and the prices are too good. The website
you are directed to looks legitimate, with the Bed Bath & Beyond logo and product
information. However, a closer look at the domain name or email address reveals you
aren’t on the official website.

One consumer shared the following experience: “I saw an ad for Bed Bath & Beyond on
Facebook. The sale seemed safe, and I knew that the company was closing some of
their stores. I ordered a couple items and paid with my debit card. I did not notice
anything fishy with the website. Months later, I had not received any products or
messages from them. I tried to look up my order and found it was not the right website,
so now I have no order number or information about the company.”

Shoppers report making purchases and never receiving the products they ordered.
Emails to the impostor company typically go unanswered. However, in some cases, the
scammers reply, only to state the product was accidentally delivered to another state –
an issue they should take up with the United States Postal Service. In reality, the
website was fake, and the discounted products never existed.

Bed Bath & Beyond is working to uncover and remove all impostor websites. “With the
increased attention we’ve seen surrounding the launch of the new Bed Bath & Beyond
website, scammer sites are more prevalent. To protect consumers, we are diligently
working with federal authorities to help shut down these fraudulent sites,” said Jonathan
Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond.

How to avoid impostor website scams

● Always double-check the URL. Scammers love to build fake websites that look
like the real thing. Often, the URL is only off by a letter or two. Take a moment to
ensure you are on the official website by looking closely at the URL. Bed Bath &
Beyond’s official websites are www.bedbathandbeyond.com in the U.S. andwww.bedbathandbeyond.ca in Canada.
● Go directly to the official website instead of clicking on ad links. Con artists can
make ads claiming to be legitimate businesses, but the link takes you to a
completely different website. Look up deals featured in ads by typing the
business’s URL directly in the browser bar instead of clicking through an ad. If
you can’t find the special deal anywhere, the ad may have been a fake.
● Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. This beloved scam tactic plays
on people’s desire to get a great deal on something. If a price sounds too good to
be true, stay skeptical. Verify the source and the deal before you make a
purchase.
● Use your credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer certain protections
your debit card doesn’t. For example, credit cards will allow you to contest
charges if you accidentally purchase from a fraudulent website.

Until next time!

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This podcast is by BBB of the Tri-Counties.

A BIG thank you to Ayers Auto Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust. There’s a lot of buzz lately
about verified social media accounts, thanks to Twitter’s announcement of the
$8-a-month program and Meta’s announcement of their $14.99-a-month program for a
“verified account.” Social media has long been a favorite haunt of scammers. In light of
those two facts, businesses and consumers should be alert to how the scammers will
use this latest twist to benefit themselves.

BBB is monitoring reports to BBB Scam Tracker, and recently the BBB Institute for
Marketplace Trust and Amazon (a BBB Accredited Business) partnered to educate
consumers on impersonation scams.  In recent phishing scams, con artists have been going after businesses and individuals with verified accounts – a measure that was supposed to help prevent scams.

How the scam works

You receive a direct message or email that appears to come directly from Twitter,
Instagram, or another social media platform. It states that your verified account has
been flagged, and you must re-verify it. You could allegedly lose your verified account
badge if you don’t respond. For example, some Twitter users have reported receiving
direct messages or emails stating that their blue verified badge has been marked as
spam and, if they don’t appeal the decision, it will be deleted.

The scam message asks you to click on a link or download a form to start the appeal
process and re-verify your account. You may download malware onto your laptop or
mobile device if you click. This can collect your personal data without your knowledge. If
you fill out forms or reply with the requested information, scammers may be able to hack
your account or use your personal information to commit identity theft.

How to avoid social media scams

● Understand how social media platforms work. Get to know a social media
platform’s policies before using it. For example, Twitter never sends emails
requesting login credentials, nor do they send emails with attachments. If you are
clear on the platform’s policies and procedures, you’ll be less likely to fall for
correspondence from a scammer – even if it looks legit.
● Be wary of unsolicited messages. Be skeptical about out-of-the-blue messages,
whether it’s a DM, an email, or a message on a messaging app, especially if they
ask you to click on links or open attachments. Instead, go straight to the source –
the platform’s official customer service center – to determine if the message is real.
● Look for the signs of a scam. Poor spelling, bad grammar, pressure to act now,
and scare tactics are all red flags that indicate a scam.
● Always protect your personal information. Never give a stranger your login
credentials or other personal information without verifying their request’s
legitimacy. Most reputable companies won’t ask you for your login information.
● Monitor your accounts. Make a point to monitor your social media accounts and
do a search for your name or brand, making sure there are no impostors.

For more information

If a scammer has contacted you, report your experience to BBB Scam Tracker to help
other consumers recognize the con. Read more about spotting fake social media
accounts.

Learn more ways to protect yourself by visiting BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Until next time!

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A podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your MOment of Trust!

BBB Scam Tracker has gotten numerous reports of a clever travel scam this summer vacation season. Con artists pretend to own a vacation rental and insist on being paid directly rather than through the official rental platform. If you book with them, you’ll be out of money and face a potentially ruined vacation.

How the scam works:

You search a vacation rental site, such as VBRO or Airbnb, for a place to stay on your
next trip and find a perfect rental listing. The photos are beautiful, and the price is right.
Other times, you discover the rental through a social media post. The scammer may
have shared it to a Facebook group, claiming to be renting “their” vacation home.
Either way, when you message the “owner” about booking, they offer you a deal. If you
book with them directly, paying through a digital wallet, such as Venmo or CashApp,
instead of the rental platform – they can give you a discount. You agree and send an
initial payment. The scammer may reply with a realistic-looking receipt. But once the
scammer receives your money, they stop replying to messages. Unfortunately, the
vacation home may be real, but the person you paid to rent it is a scammer. They don’t
own the property, and your deposit is in the hands of scammers.

One consumer reported this experience: “I booked a long-term rental for June and July
on Airbnb through a female host advertised as Amy. I was contacted soon after by a
man named Sean over text. He requested a phone call and suggested we go through
Venmo instead of Airbnb to avoid fees and to give me a discount…. I decided to cancel
to protect myself, but Sean refused to return my 1st-month rent payment of $2,500. I
have never been able to speak to Amy and believe he is using this profile as a cover-up
to scam people out of money and avoid taxes.”

How to avoid online booking scams:

● Do business with reputable websites. Legitimate websites like VRBO and Airbnb
have certain policies to protect renters and rental owners. If there’s a problem
with your rental, you can open a case, and you may get your money back. If a
seller asks you directly to book outside a website, think twice.
● Research the rental property. Do an online search for the owner’s name and/or
the property’s address. Look for complaints online, watching for any reports of
scams or dishonest behavior.
● Pay with a credit card. Whenever possible, use your credit card to make online
purchases. It is easier to dispute fraudulent charges, and you have a better
chance of getting your money back if something goes wrong.
● Save any documents related to your purchase. Save copies of your receipt, order
confirmation page, shipping information, etc. You may also want to save a copy
of the business’ return policy so you know how to proceed if there is a problem
with your order or if it doesn’t arrive within the promised timeframe.

For more information

See BBB’s travel HQ for more tips for planning and booking your next vacation. Read
these tips on avoiding hidden travel fees and spotting hotel scams.
If you spot a scam while booking travel online, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your
report can help other consumers spot a scam before it’s too late.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!