In a slight twist on the New Year’s resolution, the Better Business Bureau is offering tips consumers should consider as they leap ahead into 2012.
The bureau encourages consumers to add “being alert to scam artists” to their 2012 list of resolutions.
“The basic thing is to educate yourself and promise yourself never to give personal or financial information to anybody over the internet or over the phone,” said Jill Atkinson, communications director with the Better Business Bureau serving the Atlantic provinces.
“These scammers are so well versed they can make things sound very true, so don’t ever agree to anything. Educate yourself. Take five to 10 minutes to check the company out with the Better Business Bureau.”
Running a scenario past the bureau is a way to protect yourself and others. Atkinson said a five minute phone call could save you misfortune down the road and help protect other consumers.
In 2011 the Atlantic bureau received the most phone calls from consumers questioning a Microsoft phone scam. Consumers were getting calls from scammers alleging to work for the company. The scammers would attempt to gain access to consumers’ home computers in order to “remove a virus” or solve some other problem.
“There is no way a company like Microsoft could call all its customers. They want to (remotely access) your computer to steal your personal or financial information, or to sell you a fix and get your credit card information,” Atkinson advised.
Technology-related scams are on the rise as people move away from more traditional banking and financial methods. Consumers are now being advised to beware of cyber criminals who may target their smart phones.
“They (criminals) are now moving from computers into smart phones because that’s where people are now storing their information, doing banking, storing transactions,” Atkinson said. “The hackers and cyber criminals will go where people have information.”
Next month, the Better Business Bureau will post its top 10 scams list for 2011. Included on that list are the computer virus scam, door to door sales, and gold and antique sales.
Tips, press releases and up-to-date information on scams can be found via the Better Business Bureau’s website at www.maritimeprovinces.bbb.org, and on its Facebook and Twitter pages.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
Tips from BBB
In addition to checking with the BBB, consumers are advised to keep the following New Year resolutions in mind for 2012:
Never succumb to the hard sell, “one day only” offer. Resolve to avoid sales or investment pitches demanding you “act now” or lose the opportunity forever – think things through, talk to family and friends, and check with the BBB for information.
Everything should be in writing. Always make sure contract provisions match what the salesperson or advertisement said. Resolve to read and thoroughly understand every provision in the contract, before you sign.
With a plan, comes action. If your household operates without a budget, you may be just one paycheck away from a financial crisis. Resolve to establish and adhere to a budget that provides the means to deal with unexpected expenses, while enabling you to decrease debt and increase savings.
You haven’t won anything! Sweepstakes and lottery scams abound. Resolve to never send money to collect prizes – legitimate sweepstakes and lotteries do not require winners to pay money to claim awards. Be leery if you receive a check, are told to deposit the “winnings” and instructed to wire money back to the company or an unknown person. The check will ultimately bounce and you will lose that money.
“Easy” money is never easy. Resolve to resist work-at-home promotions from unknown companies promising big bucks. Be similarly suspicious of ads from lenders “guaranteeing” loan regardless of your income, credit history or financial situation. Advance fee loan and work-at-home offers invariably ask for money “up front” and deliver little, if any value in return.
Always deal with reliable merchants. Resolve to always ensure a business has a permanent address and phone number, check customer references and contact the BBB for information about the company’s marketplace record.
Resolve to safeguard your personal information. Don’t give out your credit card, bank account, driver’s license or Social Insurance numbers to anyone you don’t know, no matter how tempting the offer. Always shred paper documents that include sensitive financial data and dispose of computers, cell phones and digital data safely. Install anti-virus software on your computer and make sure that you keep up to date on any updates and patches. Do not open attachments or click on links in emails unless you can confirm the email came from someone you trust.
