BBB Names Scam Of The Month For July

Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont (BBB) has narrowed down the top scams affecting the community using BBB’s Scam Tracker, with phishing scams currently the number one scam circulating the area.

Last month, 13 phishing scams were reported to the local BBB. Consumers reported receiving calls from scammers both recorded and personal. In many reports, the first thing the scammer will say is “Can you hear me?” - an ongoing scam that began targeting consumers earlier this year.

One consumer reported that when they were asked “Can you hear me?” and answered in the affirmative, someone else came on the line with a foreign accent and mentioned they were in the correct age bracket for a special offer.

So far, none have reported money loss, but it’s unclear how the scams will play out over time, or if the targets will be victimized at a later date.

“Scammers have created multiple cover stories to disguise their true intentions,” says Paula Fleming, spokesperson for the local BBB. “Always be wary of unexpected emails, calls, or text messages that ask for personal information.”

BBB advises consumers to use Caller ID to screen calls, and consider not even answering unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they will leave a message and you can call back.

If you believe you have fallen victim to a phishing scam, make a note of the number and report it to bbb.org/scamtracker to help warn others. BBB also shares Scam Tracker information with government and law enforcement agencies, so every piece of information is helpful in tracking down scammers.

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