WEATHER ALERT
Gift card scams are rising at an alarming rate. Here’s how to avoid falling victim this holiday season
Read full article: Gift card scams are rising at an alarming rate. Here’s how to avoid falling victim this holiday seasonAs many people grab those last-minute gift cards, the FBI is warning that gift card scams are rising at an alarming rate.
Employment opportunities, online purchases listed as top 2 scams impacting younger people ages 18 to 24: BBB
Read full article: Employment opportunities, online purchases listed as top 2 scams impacting younger people ages 18 to 24: BBBIn a recent Better Business Bureau report, younger people between the ages of 18 to 24 years old are now reported to lose more money in scams than older age groups.
12 Jacksonville-area customers come forward, say Staycation Pools & Spas never finished building their pools
Read full article: 12 Jacksonville-area customers come forward, say Staycation Pools & Spas never finished building their poolsA dozen customers of Staycation Pools & Spas in the Jacksonville area now claim their pool builds were never finished or were abandoned by the company.
BBB: Scammers hungry to steal your information, money this holiday shopping season
Read full article: BBB: Scammers hungry to steal your information, money this holiday shopping seasonShopping for the perfect holiday gift is a tradition around this time of year, but it’s also hunting season for thieves and scammers.
What to do if you’re worried VyStar issues might be affecting your credit report
Read full article: What to do if you’re worried VyStar issues might be affecting your credit reportSince VyStar Credit Union members are still having trouble accessing certain features on their accounts, like bill pay, they are worried about late payments oncredit cards, mortgages and personal loans.
Spoofing! Scammers pretending to be calling from WJXT try and dupe viewers
Read full article: Spoofing! Scammers pretending to be calling from WJXT try and dupe viewersA local woman called News4jax this week asking about a call she received from someone who appeared to be contacting her from our news station.
As Justice Dept. works to ID companies that exploit supply chain issues, here’s what consumers can do
Read full article: As Justice Dept. works to ID companies that exploit supply chain issues, here’s what consumers can doThe Justice Department is launching a new initiative aimed at identifying companies that exploit supply chain disruptions in the U.S. to make increased profits in violation of federal antitrust laws.
I-TEAM: Accused tow truck company owners had overbilling complaints dating back 7 years
Read full article: I-TEAM: Accused tow truck company owners had overbilling complaints dating back 7 yearsOwners of a Jacksonville towing company once used by local law enforcement agencies now face charges of organized fraud.
Owner of disarrayed Regency school uniform store says help is needed
Read full article: Owner of disarrayed Regency school uniform store says help is neededThe owner of School Uniforms and More at the Regency Square Mall told News4Jax on Thursday that disarray and confusion inside his store has been unfolding since last week and is the result of not being able to hire enough help.
What to know before hiring a contractor to work on your home
Read full article: What to know before hiring a contractor to work on your homeWhether you’re considering repairs to your home, townhouse or condo, the Better Business Bureau says there are some important red flags to keep an eye out for before you hire a contractor to do the work.
Having trouble finding a PlayStation 5? You’re not alone
Read full article: Having trouble finding a PlayStation 5? You’re not aloneThat’s the message from every major retailer if you’re looking for the brand new PlayStation 5. Some lifelong gamers, like Erick Koblick, aren’t willing to fork over that kind of money. “It’s a way of life.”For those who are willing to shell out extra dough for the gaming console now, there’s still risk involved. He doesn’t recommend buying a big-ticket item like the PlayStation 5 from a reseller unless you can meet them in person for the transaction. If you do plan on meeting up with a reseller, make sure to do in a public place.
Warning: Scammers posing as COVID-19 contact tracers
Read full article: Warning: Scammers posing as COVID-19 contact tracersJACKSONVILLE, Fla. Scammers are posing as contact tracers and trying to trick people into giving them their credit card numbers. They are using social media, robocalls or text messages to contact their victims, preying on your concerns about being exposed to COVID-19 to get their hands on your personal information. RELATED: State leaders warn of scam contact tracer callsStephens said scammers pose as authorities or officials to make themselves look legitimate. While legitimate contract tracers need to obtain private information to confirm your identity before releasing medical information, they will never ask for money, Stephens said. Tell them youll call them back and then contact your local health department directly to confirm someone there is really trying to reach you.
Woman says she was scammed out of getting dog, asked to send nude photos
Read full article: Woman says she was scammed out of getting dog, asked to send nude photosJACKSONVILLE, Fla. Like any dog owner, Katelyn Inman is pretty biased when she says shes got the best dog. But when the couple decided that they could not longer get a dog, they asked for their money back. Tom Stephens, president of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida, said hes received 10 reports of puppy scams in the last two weeks. And then Ill send you $200."Inman said the texter didnt just ask for nude photos once, but multiple times. Dont send money until you see the puppy, Inman said.
BBB: Avoid sharing your senior photo on Facebook
Read full article: BBB: Avoid sharing your senior photo on FacebookJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With coronavirus derailing everyone’s high school graduation plans, people are rallying behind the class of 2020 by sharing their senior photos on Facebook. The Better Business Bureau warns that these posts make it easy for hackers to find the name of your high school and graduating class, which often are used in online security questions. It’s not just school details people should be careful about, either. Tom Stephens, president of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida, said these social media challenges all seem like fun and games until your identity is stolen. Below is some advice from the BBB on how to safely navigate social media:
BBB spokesperson recommends buying gift cards online
Read full article: BBB spokesperson recommends buying gift cards onlineJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - While gift cards might seem like an easy option as a holiday present, it's also an easy way for scammers to gain access to personal information. There are two key things to look for before you've even purchased a gift card. "Probably the best way (to protect yourself) is to buy cards online," Stephens said. Stephens says to avoid gift cards that are resold at a lower price. The Retail Gift Card Association recommends purchasing cards from trusted sources and known brands.
BBB spokesperson recommends buying gift cards online
Read full article: BBB spokesperson recommends buying gift cards onlineJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – While gift cards might seem like an easy option as a holiday present, it's also an easy way for scammers to gain access to personal information. There are two key things to look for before you've even purchased a gift card. "Probably the best way (to protect yourself) is to buy cards online," Stephens said. Stephens says to avoid gift cards that are resold at a lower price. The Retail Gift Card Association recommends purchasing cards from trusted sources and known brands.
Scam alert from I-TEAM: Secret shopper offers arriving in mail
Read full article: Scam alert from I-TEAM: Secret shopper offers arriving in mailWell, before we answer that, consider this: $1.5 billion were lost last year because tens of thousands of people fell for scams, like the secret shopper offer. It has an account number and routing number, but he said he's confident it would bounce if our viewer had deposited it. Stephens said there are three red flags to this scam and similar schemes:The person who received it, never signed up to be a secret shopper. There are secret shopper jobs out there. To see what's offered or to apply to become a mystery shopper, click this link.
Tired of getting robocalls? Here's how to put a stop to them
Read full article: Tired of getting robocalls? Here's how to put a stop to themJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Tired of getting bombarded with annoying robocalls? RELATED: FCC proposes new rules to block robocalls | Can anything be done to stop robocalls? Tom Stephens, president of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida, said one way of avoiding unwanted calls is letting incoming calls go to your answering machine. YouMail, the maker of a free call-blocking app, reports that iPhone users get 29 percent more robocalls than people who use Android phones. To file a complaint about unwanted calls, visit the Federal Communications Commssion's website or dial 888-225-5322.