The Better Business Bureau has launched a scam tracker.
If you are aware of a scam in your neighborhood you can report it by clicking here.
When the BBB launched the scam tracker earlier this year, they learned that tax scams were the most commonly reported scams.
In 24 percent of those cases suspects were pretending to represent the IRS. Also high on the list were tax scams and debt collections.
What You Can Do:
- Don’t be pressured into making fast decisions.
- Take time to research the organization. Check them out on bbb.org, search online, etc.
- Never provide your personal information (address, date-of-birth, banking information, ID numbers) to people you do not know.
- Don’t click on links from unsolicited email or text messages.
- If you are unsure about a call or email that claims to be from your bank, utility company, etc., call the business directly using the number on your bill or credit card.
- Never send money by wire transfer or prepaid debit card to someone you don’t know or haven’t met in person.
- Never send money for an emergency situation unless you can verify the emergency.
For more information:
- For scam information go to BBB Scam Stopper.
- Report scams (whether or not you’ve lost money) to BBB Scam Tracker.
- For information on investment scams, go to BBB Smart Investing.
- To search for a business in the U.S. or Canada, or to find your local BBB, go to BBB.org.
- For information on charities, go to Give.org (BBB Wise Giving Alliance).
- For information on U.S. government services, go to: USA.gov.
- For information on Canadian government services, go to Service Canada.
See more at: http://www.bbb.org/top10scams/#sthash.DoAvsHmm.dpuf