Better Business Bureau warns of phony debt collection scam
The Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina is warning local businesses to be aware that a new scam that targets businesses by pretending to be the Better Business Bureau is trying to trick businesses into paying overdue fees and dues. While this has been prominent in the Midwest, it is important that the business community know the threat may reach the Carolinas soon. Multiple reports from BBB Accredited Businesses have come in to BBBs serving Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio.
While there are countless variations on phone debt collection scams; this appears to be the latest scam. A phone call is initiated to try and extract money from the business; however, the scammers will also phish to get personal identifiable information by claiming that they need to update a company’s contact information, address, and payment information. They then use the information to perpetrate fraud. Many times the caller’s phone number is blocked, so there is nothing to indicate who is calling or where the call comes from.
The scam may also include an email that looks as it if is sent from a local BBB office, requesting the status of unsettled payments and demanding immediate compliance. The email includes a link to a payment site that is not associated with BBB and could be malicious.
“It’s important that our local businesses are aware that there are scammers who are spoofing BBBs to collect dues,” said Dr. John D’Ambrosio, President and CEO of the BBB of Coastal Carolina. “Please contact us if you receive a suspect email or call claiming to be the BBB. You can check directly with us before you share any
information and don’t click on any links in the message.
Remember, one false click can infect a whole computer, or a whole business. You may also report it on the BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker.”
While a BBB office may contact a business for a variety of reasons, you should never give personal or financial information over the phone during an unsolicited call from someone you do not know. A caller from a legitimate BBB office will not be offended if you tell them you want to contact them through a main number. End the call and call back through the number in your records or the number on the organization’s website.
