The Rockford Region Lost $500,000 In 2018 Because Of The Internet
The top two sources responsible for Rockford-area folks losing a whole lot of money last year, can you guess what they were?
According to the director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau, Dennis Horton, online shopping scams were the biggest culprit (#1). Although that may not be surprising, who is affected was. In a comment to WIFR.com Horton said: "Online purchase scams are especially detrimental to both consumers and businesses because they open the door to phishing scams and malware attacks and frauds." I didn't realize the business community was at risk for the same scams as people sitting on their couches.
The second biggest scam also involves the online world - employment, a.k.a. fake job offers. There aren't details as far as an explanation but the internet is no stranger to job offers that ask for money or "an investment" in order to get said job. This isn't about upgrading wardrobe or buying tools needed for a job, this is fronting money to a company in order to get said job. That is not a legitimate job.
WIFR.com shared BBB's list of the top 10 scams in 2018;
1. Online Purchase (fake websites)
2. Employment (job offer scams)
3. Debt Collections (invoices, calls or emails for fake debts)
4. Tech Support (calls, texts or emails from fake tech support agents)
5. Tax Collection (fake IRS or Treasury Dept. calls/emails)
6. Utility (fake calls/emails claiming your service will be shut off unless you pay)
7. Fake Check/Money Order (scammers send a fake check and convince recipients to send fees or the balance of an “overpayment” back)
8. Counterfeit Product (often tied in with scam websites – consumers are sent cheap counterfeit items worth a fraction of the real item)
9. Phishing (a series of fake spoofed emails requesting money or personal information)
10. Advance Fee Loan (the promise of a “loan” – after you pay fees)
More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5
