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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!

Check out this episode!

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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!

Check out this episode!

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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!

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A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Check use may be declining,
but check fraud is still a serious problem. Watch out for this scam, dubbed “check
washing,” which involves stealing checks from mailboxes and then altering them.
Fortunately, you can do a few things to protect yourself and your business.

How the scam works:

You send a check in the mail as payment for a service or product. However, a few days
or weeks later, you are contacted by the company you paid. They say they never
received a payment. Then, you discover the check you sent has been cashed, either for
the amount you wrote it for or for a much higher amount. What happened?
Scammers use many techniques to intercept mail, sometimes directly from your or the
post office’s big blue mailbox. Scammers have even been known to sneak into post
office boxes with stolen keys. Individuals can fall victim to this scam, but scammers
mostly target businesses, which typically write checks for larger amounts and have a
predictable schedule for paying and mailing bills.  Once scammers find an envelope containing a check, they use household chemicals to “wash off” the name and amount you wrote down, replacing it with a name and dollar amount of their choice. Usually, they use fake identities to cash the check later on. And even if no one cashes your check, you are at a much higher risk of identity theft once it’s found its way into scammers’ hands.

How to avoid check-washing schemes

● Take advantage of electronic payment methods. If you can use electronic means
to make payments and receive them, do so. That will eliminate the possibility of
falling victim to check washing.

● If you must mail a check, take precautions. Drop it off at the post office using the
lobby mail slot instead of leaving a check in the mailbox with the flag up. If you
need to use a blue box, drop off the mail before the day’s last pick-up time. Don’t
leave unsent mail in your mailbox overnight; retrieve your delivered mail
promptly, advises the United States Postal Service.

● Put a hold on your mail. If you are going out of town, have your mail held at the
post office until you return. If you run a small business that isn’t open on
weekends, consider asking the post office not to deliver mail on Saturdays.

● Improve your mailbox security. Installing highly visible cameras near your mailbox
and using a locked mailbox are two additional ways to avoid falling victim to this
scam.

● Keep an eye on your checking account. Monitor your bank accounts carefully to
ensure no one cashes a fraudulent check from your account. If you notice
suspicious activity, notify your bank immediately.

● Use “positive pay” services. Many banks offer “positive pay” services for business
checking accounts. You can pre-authorize checks for a specific amount by their
check number. This will at least stop scammers from withdrawing more money
than the specified amount.

● Always report check fraud. If you think your check was intercepted in the mail, let
your bank know right away. Then, file a report with the Postal Inspection Service
and your local police department.

For more information:

Read about more ways scammers use checks to commit fraud in BBB’s Fake Check Scams
Study. Get more advice on how to avoid scams at BBB.org/AvoidScams.
If you’ve been a victim of check fraud, you can also report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Your reports help build public awareness and reduce scammers’ effectiveness.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!

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David gives the latest interest rates and Santa Barbara sales stats. He and his co-host Patt, discuss Open House etiquette. While David stresses that you should feel free to ask the Open House Realtor questions about the house you’re viewing, he advises that it’s a good idea to let the realtor know if you’re already working with another realtor.

Then David and Patti shift their attention to The Fur Babies at Home segment. David discusses the benefits of feeding your dog a raw food diet and then discusses his new organic dog treats, Chowdees. To purchase chowdees dog treats, go to https://www.chowdees.com

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A Podcast 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! Electric bicycles— or e-bikes –
allow riders to go farther and faster than a standard bicycle. Riding an e-bike instead of
driving a car can help you lower your carbon footprint, save on gas money, and stay
active.

E-bikes come in many models and price ranges, so finding the right one for your needs
requires research. BBB recommends the following tips to help you pick the right e-bike
for your budget.

Tips for buying an e-bike

● Think about what you need. First, think about your riding style. Will your e-bike
be for recreation or commuting? Do you need to haul groceries or a child? Will
you be riding on dirt roads or pavement? Will you be riding on flat ground or
steep hills? How many miles will you cover on a trip? Knowing the answers to
these questions will help you narrow down your choices.

● Get to know e-bike classes. E-bikes are divided into classes. With class 1 electric
bicycles, the motor only runs when you pedal and stops running when you reach
20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes do the same but also have a throttle-powered mode.
Class 3 e-bikes work like class 1 bikes but assist up to 28 mph. Think about how
you intend to use your e-bike but check access rules too. E-bike regulations vary
from state to state and determine where to use the bike.

● Choose the right type of electric bicycle. There are many different kinds of
e-bikes. The style you pick depends on how you plan to use your bike.

○ Commuter bikes usually come with fenders, lights, and other accessories
that make them safer to use in traffic. Some come in foldable models,
making them easier to stow on public transportation.

○ Cruiser models are more comfortable and allow the rider to sit upright.
These are generally for recreation and don’t always come with
accessories that would make them suitable for long-distance trips.

○ E-mountain bikes have thicker frames and bigger tires and are suitable for
off-roading and steep inclines.

○ Performance road bikes are more lightweight and designed to tackle
longer distances with dropdown handlebars that help you maintain anaerodynamic posture.
○ Cargo bikes are robust and built to haul bulky items or even an extra
passenger.
● Understand the motor options. E-bikes come with either a hub-drive motor, which
sits in the wheel’s hub, or a mid-drive motor on the bike’s bottom bracket where
your pedals are. Mid-drive motors have a more natural feel, while rear-wheel
hub-drive motors make you feel like you are being pushed along.
● Need more power? Consider a high torque number. The lower the torque
number, the less powerful the bike will feel. If you are cruising city streets, this
may not be a problem, but if you plan to ride trails, gravel paths, or steep inclines,
you might need a higher torque rating.
● Be sure the battery meets your needs. Review battery ratings and determine how
many miles you can ride before recharging. Does this cover your commute
distance and other needs? Find out how many charge-discharge cycles you can
expect your battery to last. Quality e-bikes generally last for at least 1,000 full
cycles. For an average rider, the battery will last for about three to five years
before you need to replace it.
● Get the right size bike for you. Be sure you fit comfortably on the e-bike model
you are considering buying. You should feel comfortable when riding and be able
to mount and dismount without falling over. It’s always best to check out an
e-bike before buying. If you are shopping online, carefully compare the e-bike
measurements to those of a similar style bicycle you know you feel comfortable
on.
● Think about maintenance. Like any vehicle, your e-bike will need periodic
maintenance and perhaps even repairs. Always understand your warranty and
the type of tune-up and repairs needed. Purchase your e-bike from a company
that is happy to answer your questions and offers good customer service. This
will come in handy if you ever need a repair.

Until next time!

Check out this episode!