By Staff
Though consumers are continually reminded of poor business practices and those who try to scam others out of money, people still fall victim.
The statement you can't get something for nothing is all too true.
If someone you don't know and have never heard about suddenly sends you an e-mail stating you have won millions of dollars – think again.
These scams usually demand you cash a check and send money to a foreign country. By the time the check you were given bounces, you are out the money you sent and held accountable for the bad check from your bank.
Some other scams which the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers about include free items on the Internet.
A free Xbox or laptop computer may sound great, but when you start putting your personal information onto the Web, it can quickly take a turn for the worse.
Never give your bank account information and credit card numbers over the Internet to a company or business you have never heard of before, just on the promise of free goods.
You may find yourself not only without the promised item, but a victim of identity theft.
Diet miracles, hair restorers and other products also are advertised with promises of dramatic weight loss or sudden hair growth. You can contact the Better Business Bureau to see if these companies have a bad or good reputation. Do this before you make a purchase.
There are also a number of online loan companies that ask for an up-front fee, but then never produce the promised loan. Some of these firms are really scams originating out of the country.
According to the BBB, it is illegal in the United States to require an up-front fee in advance for a loan, other than credit report fees or appraisals for real estate.
A new way scammers try to get credit card numbers, the BBB warns, is to call hotels and ask for common last names.
If connected to a guest of that name, they say they are calling from the front desk and the credit card information needs to be verified.
Don't risk being a victim of this scam. Call or go to the front desk yourself to verify they really need your number.
Don't give it over the phone. The caller might be in another country, ready to steal your identity.
Preying on those people who always pay their bills when they are received, some people are being billed for magazine subscriptions that aren't even expired by a company different than the magazine. Check your bills before paying.
For questions about a certain company, contact the BBB at www.bbb.org.