In this episode of "Joe Knows Better," Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) expose the top scams targeting consumers today. They start with a highly prevalent job scam, characterized by unsolicited text messages promising an amazing, remote job with high pay and minimal hours. Scammers lure victims with fake opportunities, then either send a fraudulent check and demand an overpayment back or trick them into funding their own accounts for a supposed investment, with one victim losing $190,000. They stress that you should never have to pay money to make money and that legitimate companies will not conduct hiring entirely through text or messaging apps like WhatsApp.
The hosts then detail three more prevalent scams, including romance scams, where fraudsters build emotional connections with lonely individuals online before fabricating emergencies or investment schemes to solicit large sums of money. Next, they discuss rental scams, which exploit people in a desperate housing market by demanding upfront "pre-screening" fees for fake or non-existent properties. The show also covers fake debt collectors, who use aggressive threats and lies to intimidate victims into paying for debts they don't owe. Finally, they add a bonus scam: fake invoices. These scams trick people into calling a fraudulent number to dispute a fake charge, often leading to a complex overpayment scheme, as seen in a case that even involved the Better Business Bureau itself. The episode's key takeaway is for consumers to slow down, verify information with credible sources like BBB.org, and never send cash or use unprotected payment methods.
Key takeaways
- Be skeptical of unsolicited offers: If something sounds "too good to be true"—like a high-paying job for minimal hours, a deeply discounted rental, or a perfect romantic match you've never met—it's likely a scam.
- Don't pay to make money: A legitimate job will never ask you to send them money for training, supplies, or to "activate" your account. Likewise, you should never have to pay a fee to look at a rental property.
- Vet before you commit: Before you give any personal or financial information, research the company, the individual, and the offer. Check their reputation on credible sites like BBB.org. For online relationships, do a reverse image search on their photo. For businesses, check their official website URL and contact information.
- Know your rights and don't be intimidated: Legitimate debt collectors have strict rules they must follow. They cannot threaten you with arrest or a lawsuit without providing specific details of the debt. If you receive a threatening call, hang up and verify the debt on your own using a free credit report from a source like AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Protect your money and information: Avoid paying with cash, wire transfers, or gift cards, as these methods are untraceable. Always use a credit card for online purchases, as it offers more fraud protection. Do not communicate with scammers via text or email, and never call a phone number provided in a suspicious message or invoice. Instead, find the company's official contact information on their real website.
