Shocked senior couple reading about scams in disbelief on their balcony.

Senior Alerts

Stay up to date on the latest news, scam alerts, and tips by reading our quarterly Senior Alerts from Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Greater Cleveland. 

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Senior Alert Archive

2024: Second Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Don't get scammed out of the Solar Eclipse hype (fake merchandise, eclispse glasses, and vacation rentals)
  • Don't let IRS impersonators scare you this tax season
  • Be vigilante when searching online for funeral homes

2024: First Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Scammers are constantly finding new ways to scheme elders out of their money using gift cards whether it be online or in-person 
  • Pet scams are making consumers feel "paw-ful" about looking for pets online
  • Scammers try to impersonate legitimate professionals such as Social Security Administration and try to invite you to click a link via text or email

2023: Fourth Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Scammers are targeting veterans eligible for the new Expanded PACT Act Benefits program
  • Medicare scammers are always lurking but BBB has tips to help you avoid Medicare fraud
  • Free trials are enticing but usually entail hidden fees or unwanted charges

2023: Third Quarter Senior Alerts

  • FBI releases warning about public USB charging stations or "juice jacking"
  • Timeshare industry deceptions and misconceptions
  • Online alcoholic purchasers are experiencing a wave of scammers

2023: Second Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Scammers calling to "offer" tax debt relief 
  • Surgence of stolen Kias and Hyundais
  • Artificial intelligence is now assisting scammers in committing Grandparent Scams 

2023: First Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Grandparents still major targets for scammers
  • Bills accruing post holiday shopping
  • Phony contractors scamming homeowners this winter season

2022: Fourth Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Inflation causing retirees to re-enter the workforce
  • Scammers "offering" FEMA assistance for those who passed away from Covid-19
  • Student debt affecting seniors 

2022: Third Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Shopping Prime Day deals and avoiding Amazon scams
  • Spotting travel scams this summer
  • Father/son plumber duo targeting NE Ohio Residents

2022: Second Quarter Senior Alerts

  • Tech support scammers steal nearly $300,000 from Mayfield Hts victim
  • Text message scam targeting Northeast Ohioans
  • Avoiding cryptocurrency scams

    2022: First Quarter Senior Alerts

    • Tips for holiday returns and exchanges
    • "Wrong number" texts sent by romance scammers
    • Tax scams you should know

    2021: Fourth Quarter Senior Alerts 

    • Woman's house is listed in rental scam
    • Shopping holiday sales safely
    • What to know before you donate

    2021: Third Quarter Senior Alerts 

    • Secret shopper scams
    • New twists to grandparent scams 
    • FEMA Funeral Assistance scam 

    2021: Second Quarter Senior Alerts

    • Sweepstakes scams
    • Tech Support scams
    • "Miracle" products

    2021: First Quarter Senior Alerts 

    • PPE Scams
    • Pain cure product schemes 
    • Tax scams for 2021