In an effort to keep
the public informed, Better Business
Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina offers monthly Marketplace Alerts.
Information regarding business or consumer topics reported here can be obtained
through the BBB office by contacting mschmidt@raleigh.bbb.org.
BBB warns job seekers to exercise
caution when searching for employment opportunities online, as scam artists are
placing fake employment opportunities on Craigslist claiming the BBB is hiring.
This nationwide scam is an attempt to trick consumers into giving away their
personal information. BBB advises consumers to protect their personal
information, as job seekers should never provide their birth date or Social
Security number until they have verified that the position is legitimate.
BBB cautions consumers to beware
of an e-mail that is claming to be from Kentucky Fried Chicken. The e-mail
states that if you complete a survey, KFC will award you with a gift card. The
survey asks for personal information, such as your home address and phone
number. Consumers who complete the survey are not receiving the gift card and,
in turn, are receiving numerous telemarketing calls. This e-mail is not from
KFC and it is not a KFC sponsored survey. Consumers who come across this e-mail
should file a report with the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
BBB
urges consumers to beware of calls from scam artists who tell them they have
won a lottery and need to collect their winnings. Scam artists are calling both
individuals and businesses to inform them that they have won a significant
amount of money, but must first wire a fee to receive the money. Avoid wiring money to someone who awards you with something too
good to be true and never pay money to accept a prize. BBB
advises consumers to research a company before providing any personal
information or sending money.
BBB urges consumers to beware of a
new scam targeting cell phone users. Posing as bank employees, scam artists are
sending text messages urging consumers to contact them immediately about a
“pressing issue” that needs to be discussed. Victims of the scam are often
asked to call a toll-free number and provide information, such as their debit card
or account number, to a fake automated system. BBB advises consumers to never
respond to the text messages, as this will let the scam artist know that your
number is active. Also, contact your cell phone provider to block the scam
artist’s number.
BBB
has received complaints from consumers regarding paid online survey companies.
Consumers are completing surveys online, and not getting paid by the companies
for their work. Consumers are also having difficulty reaching the companies
after they complete the survey. BBB advises consumers read the privacy policy
and other fine print before submitting personal information to any paid survey
Web site. It is important to research the company as well to find out the
legitimacy of it. Visit bbb.org
to review the Business Review of a specific online
survey company.
