13 red flags to make 2013 `scam-free’

Consumer scams and rip-offs are at an all-time high as unscrupulous individuals and companies will roll-out every trick in the book, according to the San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB).

“There is no stronger remedy for fraud that an educated consumer who refuses to be conned,” said Sheryl Bilbrey, San Diego BBB president/CEO. “The fact is that anyone can be scammed. One trusting moment, one bad decision or just bad luck and those hard-earned dollars can be gone. Thieves with no consciences are eager to steal more than just your money, they’re stealing people's hopes, dreams and their security.”

To be a savvy consumer and avoid being a victim, here is the BBB’s list of 13 common “red flag” danger signals for scams so you can enjoy a scam-free year in 2013:

#13. Think before you click. Keep your computer virus free by avoiding attachments and links on e-mails that promise all kind of treats, ranging from humorous videos to get-rich quick schemes. Nary does a day passes when the average consumer doesn’t have a phishing e-mail swim into their inbox.

#12. Scams have found a comfy home on the Internet, so don't believe it just because you read it on a website. Obtain a company's physical address and phone number and verify a business' reliability with the BBB.

#11. Check your credit score. Checking your credit score can help keep you stay aware of any sudden or unexpected dips in your score, which may be a sign that your identity has been stolen.

#10. Ask questions before giving money to charities. Give, but give wisely. Beware of appeals that bring tears to the eyes but tell you little about how they plan to solve the problem they describe so well. Also, be cautious with sound-alike organizations using names that sound similar to legitimate groups. Also, watch out for disaster-related charity scams.

#9. Slam the door on door-to-door salesmen. Whether it’s wrapping paper, candy bars, driveway repaving or magazine subscriptions, they may seem legitimate but do your homework before exchanging money with any person or business.

#8. Stay off the wires. Wiring money is a red flag when conducting any marketplace transaction. Consumer should be extremely wary of any person who insists on wired for goods or services.

#7.  Job hunting scams are common during rough economic times. Beware of any job offer, including work-at-home schemes or business “opportunities,” that offers big money for little work and no experience. Also, before your blindly send your Social Security number to Craigslist, make sure the company receiving your personal information is legitimate.

#6. Avoid foreign lotteries, which are illegal in the U.S. Don't believe the hype about a “guaranteed free prize.” If the sweepstakes promoter demands advance fees to cover shipping or to pre-pay taxes, or asks you to call a 900 number, then it won’t be free. Consumers who receive phone calls informing them that they’ve won a lottery that they never entered are advised to hang up immediately.

#5. Be smarter than your smartphone. Mobile apps and QR codes can downloaded viruses onto your phone. Make sure you are sure of the source before you download or click on your mobile device.

#4. Read the fine print before you sign any agreement, fully understand it and make sure it matches what the salesperson told you. Get any promises in writing. Tricks and caveats are often included in the fine print of a contract. Don’t get caught in a bad deal because you didn’t read the fine print before signing.

#3. Take your time and investigate before you invest. Avoid the easy-money schemes. Be wary if you hear "buy now or forever lose your opportunity to profit." Beware of high-pressure sales pitches that are “good only today.” Be firm in the face of pressure, say “no” and walk away.

#2. Beware of “free” trial offers. After signing up for a “free” trial, you could end up with monthly charges that are hard to stop. Beware of any offer that sounds too good to be true, because it usually isn't true.

#1. Prevent identity theft by protecting your personal information, including Social Security and credit-card numbers. Don’t share private information with strangers over the phone or e-mail.

For additional consumer protection information, visit www.bbb.org or contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) by phoning (858) 637-6199 during regular business hours. Or, call the BBB's 24-hour Consumer Helpline at (858) 496-2131 or 1-800-600-7050 to obtain free information on local companies along with a list of BBB member companies in a particular type of industry.