Salt Lake City, UT - We’re ki[1] [2] [3] cking off a series of articles this November about how to protect you and your loved ones from scams. Service members, veterans, and their families are common targets for fraud, with a median reported loss of $280 last year—27% higher than the general population.1 We know how much you give to your country, and want to help you keep your hard-earned money safe. That’s why we cracked open the databooks to identify the top five most risky scams you need to know.
The Better Business Bureau receives thousands of reports per year from active-duty service members, military families, and veterans through our crowd-sourced scam reporting tool, BBB Scam TrackerSM. We then applied the BBB Risk Index, which measures risk according to exposure, the likelihood of losing money, and median monetary loss. This gives us a better sense of which scams not only take the biggest financial toll on military consumers but also which kind of scams will most likely result in a loss. Here are the top five most risky scams from lowest to highest risk:
5. Tech Support Scams
A warning pops up on your screen with the dreaded words: You Have Been Infected. Immediately, the panic sets in: you need to keep in touch with family and loved ones, and prevent all of your valuable files and information from being lost forever. A phone number appears on the screen, or you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from a well-known tech support company. No matter how much the screen is flashing, or how loud the warning is blasting on your computer—try to stay calm. Scammers use fear to lower your defenses and lure you out of hundreds of dollars. Immediately shut down your device and reboot. Do not give control of your device to a third party that contacts you. Instead, reach out directly to a local business or online service provider you trust. Watch this video from our friends at the FTC to learn more about tech support imposters.
4. Online Purchase Scams
Nearly three out of every four military consumers reporting an online purchase scam told us they lost money to a fraudster. Between frequent moves and changing financial situations, families are buying and selling more items online—and falling into common scammer traps. No matter where you’re stationed, purchase items from reputable retailers with a verifiable physical address and a secure website. If you’re selling your items or purchasing them from individuals, use reputable online marketplace sites and apps that offer protections so your transaction is safer and more secure.
3. Fake Check/Money Order Scams
With the increased use of credit cards and other forms of digital payment, it’s easy to forget how checks actually work and how to tell if a check is fraudulent. Scammers take advantage of this in a number of ways. One strategy fraudsters use is to overpay you for a product or service with a check. The scammer will tell you to just send him or her the difference by wire transfer—and maybe even let you keep a few extra bucks for your trouble. Remember: a check may “clear” in your account, but you are still responsible for the funds—even if it turns out to be fake weeks later. Be immediately suspicious of overpayments, and don’t wire or send money to someone you do not know. Learn more about fake check scams in our latest Investigative Report.
2. Home Improvement Scams
When you’re new in town, it can be hard to know who to trust with your home repairs. Sixty-one percent of military consumers who reported a home improvement scam lost money, which is significantly higher than the 50% across all consumer types.2 No matter how trustworthy someone may seem at your door, you should always verify their credentials. Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, payments made upfront, handshake deals without a contract, and on-site inspections. Get details in writing and verify reputable contractors and home improvement professionals at BBB.org.
1. Employment Scams
By a landslide, the most risky scam for military spouses and veterans is employment scams; the median dollars reported lost was $1,715— nearly double that reported across all consumers.3 Whether you’re looking for a flexible opportunity close to home or hoping to secure your first civilian job, it can be difficult to identify if an opportunity is made for you or just plain made up. That’s why we’re dedicating next week’s article entirely to employment scams and how you can spot them!
Thanks to the more than 10,000 military consumers who contributed to this article by reporting scams they’ve encountered! You can search for scams in your community and warn others by visiting BBB.org/ScamTracker.
About BBB Military Line®: We help military service members, veterans, and their families protect their assets, plan for the future, and prosper in a trusted marketplace. Learn more at BBB.org/Military.
12017 BBB Scam Tracker Annual Risk Report: New Trends in Scam Risk.
2Based on consumer reports into BBB Scam TrackerSM from February 2016 to August 2018.
3Based on consumer reports into BBB Scam TrackerSM from February 2016 to August 2018.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. In 2017, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including BBB Serving Northern Nevada and Utah.
Media Contacts: Whitley Ray, PR and Marketing Specialist, wray@mw.bbb.org 801-506-1057
Tim Johnston, VP of Outreach, tjohnston@mw.bbb.org 775-284-0277
Sen. Lee Thanks AG Sessions for His Service
SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned.
“Jeff Sessions is a dear friend who has served our nation admirably as U.S. Attorney, a senator, and as Attorney General. I wish him well in the next chapter of his long and successful career.”
An online version of this release can be found here.
=============================
OPINION: House Republicans paid the price for their inaction on education
Washington Examiner | by Jeanne Allen | November 08, 2018
Many post-mortems about 2018 midterm elections are circulating. Everyone has an idea about why the Republicans lost the House. But at the risk of sounding arrogant, I have the real answer, and I have proof.
I have conducted hundreds of meetings in the 115th Congress with members, staff, and anyone seemingly with authority, to try to achieve three very fundamental education goals embraced in principle by the majority party and some in the minority.
The least controversial is the idea that infrastructure dollars, once moving as a package, should include incentives for rural communities to complete or expand their digital footprint. To get additional funds, schools and districts would be required adopt innovative approaches to delivering education, even if the instructor lives outside the district, the state, or the country. Technology gives us access to expertise we often don’t have in our communities. By combining infrastructure with education, schools improve, people want to live there, business grows, and jobs become available. Instead, we are almost two full decades into the 20th century, yet are still using education methods quite literally from before cellphones were introduced.
This leads to the second idea, ... Read More...
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
===================
Don't miss these free expert webinars!
Interested, but can't make the live webinar time? Register and we'll email you the replay link after the webinar airs.
A Careful Diagnosis: Expert Guidelines for Getting an Accurate ADHD Evaluation
Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 1pm ET
with ADHD expert Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D.
Many professionals insist that an accurate ADHD diagnosis requires a full battery of neuropsychological testing, brain imaging, and computerized tests to measure attention. Dr. Thomas Brown disagrees. Families can save money, he says, by knowing which tests are valuable in assessing symptoms of ADHD, and which aren’t.
The sponsor of this webinar is...
NEBA® Health offers the first FDA-cleared brainwave test to help clinicians determine if a child’s symptoms are due to ADHD or some other condition. NEBA is only available by prescription. It is a non-invasive test and only takes minutes. Find a NEBA provider in your area: nebahealth.com
MRK0150/2018.10.05
ADDitude webinar sponsors have no role in the selection of guest speakers, the speaker's presentation, or any other aspect of the webinar production.
Sleep and the ADHD Brain: Why It’s Critical and How to Get More
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 1pm ET
with ADHD experts Joel Nigg, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Super, M.D.
Sleep problems are highly correlated with ADHD, but professionals often neglect to consider them during diagnosis, and parents too often overlook the vital role that sleep plays in healthy attention and brain development. Learn the optimal amount of sleep to get each night, and how to resolve common sleep challenges.
The sponsor of this webinar is...
Sonic Alert: Never sleep past your alarm clock again with this extra loud alarm and powerful bed shaker. This dual alarm clock has been proven to wake up even the heaviest sleepers.
sonicalert.com/alarm-clocks
ADDitude webinar sponsors have no role in the selection of guest speakers, the speaker's presentation, or any other aspect of the webinar production.
Shout, Stomp, Slam! How to Communicate and Connect with a Child Who Doesn’t Want to Talk
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 1pm ET
with ADHD expert Kirk Martin
How do you connect with a child or teen who doesn’t want to talk with you — and who is defensive, angry, or unresponsive? How can you de-escalate these situations and re-establish domestic tranquility? Kirk Martin offers practical strategies for building a trusting relationship with your child.
The sponsor of this webinar is...
Play Attention: Play Attention is the most comprehensive program available for both children and adults designed to strengthen Executive Functions and Self-Regulation. We can customize a program to improve your child’s Executive Functions and communication skills. www.playattention.com | Request a Free Professional Consultation
Play Attention is offering ADDitude webinar participants a $200 discount. Mention code ADDMAG0808, and you will receive two add-on games for free!
ADDitude webinar sponsors have no role in the selection of guest speakers, the speaker's presentation, or any other aspect of the webinar production.
Want more free webinars?
Click here to find and listen to all of ADDitude's free on-demand webinars.
Subscribe to our FREE ADHD Experts Podcast — and leave a review!
