ID theft now No. 1 scam
Through April and May, hundreds of thousands of people lost their
Robocalls and political scams increase as election day nears
Few groups keep up with current events quite as well as scammers.
BBB: With lower inventory, rental scams rise
A tight housing market with low vacancy rates and rising rental costs means
BBB: How to safely participate in census
With a little more than 40 days left to count every person living in the
Back-to-school cybersecurity
Back-to-school preparations have a little different feel to them this year. Families planning to learn remotely in the fall are likely expecting laptops, tablets, and other online technology to see a significant uptick in usage within their households. Unfortunately, the risks associated with using those devices are likely to increase, too.
Seller beware!
For some of us, the annual act of spring cleaning may have stretched well into the fall. And why not? The added time at home has provided plenty of opportunities to clean out closets and clear away clutter. It’s no surprise, then, that all the tidying up has translated into a surge in online sellers wanting to cash in on their unwanted items.
Government imposter scams prey on fear during pandemic
Picture this. You’re sitting at home when you get a telephone call from an unknown number. When you answer, the caller on the other end identifies themself as a government employee and informs you that a police officer will soon be at your doorstep to arrest you. The caller urges you to check the telephone number that appeared on your phone. Sure enough, it matches a government agency. You are caught off guard. And worried.
That face mask exemption card? It’s fake
As businesses and cities continue to discuss making face masks mandatory, fake cards are showing up online that claim to exempt people from covering their faces. The cards are yet another unfortunate reminder that you shouldn’t believe everything you see right now, no matter how legitimate it looks.
BBB Advisory: Cyber and Legal Issues of Tracking and Contact Tracing
Agency reminds businesses about privacy and data security in collecting personal data
Better Business Bureau: COVID-19 contact tracing scams
It’s alarming to imagine a call stating you were exposed to COVID-19. Anyone who receives such an alert would understandably provide the caller with whatever information they requested if it meant preserving their health. But what if you just gave your personal information to a stranger, not a health official? It’s happening, and it’s making work harder for those trying to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Safe shopping, COVID style
No shoes, no shirt, no service. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
How to tackle travel refunds
Spring break excursions were shelved, summer vacays are getting suspended and weekend getaways have all but gone away.
Price gouging? Better believe it
Reports of price gouging have increased 279% since January, according to the latest statistics from the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
Open(ing) for Business
While we cannot predict the future or know exactly how things will go as we navigate this entirely new existence and economy brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we at least know this: Even if it won’t be “business as usual,” we all have a part to play getting doors open again.
Puppy scam predators barking plenty
Who let the dogs out? It’s a question you may not have asked yourself this pandemic. With all the extra time spent at home, many are turning to “man’s best friend” as a cure for their isolation blues.
Watch out for work-from-home offers
As businesses remain closed because of COVID-19, Idaho’s unemployment rate continues to rise, with more than 30,000 people in Idaho needing benefits weekly. For many people, the uncertainty of their long-term employment status and a decrease in income has them looking for ways to make money working from home.
COVID-19 cautions extended
There are reminders everywhere about the need to take physical precautions. Wash your hands for 20 seconds after an interaction, maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and even suggestions to wear a mask when in public.
Stimulus gives scams a big boost, as well
As job loss continues to rise with the spread of the coronavirus, people are looking to the passing of the stimulus bill to bring some relief. The United States Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that the distribution of economic impact payments will begin soon.
Social isolation opens scam doors
Social distancing and isolation are good health practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but it may be helping scammers. Research from the Better Business Bureau, along with other organizations, has found that people are more likely to lose money to a scam when they are socially or physically isolated from others and are actively engaging online during uncertain times.
SBA disaster loans available
In these chaotic, confusing times, one thing is crystal clear for businesses. They need help. And they need it now.
COVID-19: Remain calm but alert
It’s here. Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that the strand of coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 has made its way to the United States.
Impostor scams on the rise
Spring is in the air! No, really, it is! Or it’s at least around the corner.
Cracking down on robocalls
Scam or legit, calls can annoy
‘Credential Stuffing’ puts new spin on old tricks
Admit it. Most of us are guilty of using the same username and password on multiple accounts. It’s just so much easier to remember. But that one simple shortcut puts you at a much higher risk of getting hacked than ever before through a method called “credential stuffing.”