Better Business Bureau Serving West Florida on LinkedIn: BBB Scam Alert: How to avoid scams when booking a hotel online (2024)

If you want solar panels, be very careful when evaluating installation offers. Con artists use misleading sales tactics and lies to trick homeowners out of money and personal information. If you've received an offer for "free solar panels," it could be a scam. Always look for businesses you can trust - like Accredited Businesses using the BBB Seal.

If you are applying for jobs online, do your research before accepting an interview or employment offer. Job scammers have gotten very sophisticated, convincingly claiming to represent real employers, requiring interviews, and even providing phony offer letters. These cunning new twists on traditional job scams have increased in BBB's Scam Tracker. In fact, according to BBB's latest Scam Tracker Risk Report, employment scams were identified as the number one riskiest scam for people ages 18-44 in 2023.

Don’t take the bait. Phishing scams are on the rise. Phishing is one of the most common tactics scammers use to steal cash and bank information from their targets.

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Airline industry profits are projected to exceed $25 billion in 2024 according to the International Air Transport Association, but scammers continue taking advantage of consumers by fabricating flight cancellation notices and tricking consumers when they are trying to contact airline customer service agents. BBB Scam Tracker has received multiple reports of scammers creating fake airline ticket booking sites or customer service numbers to charge travelers for rescheduling fake flights. If you are buying airfare, use caution and double-check the URL or phone number before providing your credit card information.

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As a new interpretive rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is set to give “buy now, pay later” customers more legal protections, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) shares tips for using these services wisely.

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Does travel insurance cover canceled trips? According to experts, the short answer is it depends on the policy and the situation.

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June is National Homeownership Month, an opportunity for U.S. residents to reflect on the importance of the home and its role in their lives. With a median asking price of $319,000 for a home, becoming a homeowner takes dedication, patience and smart budgeting. For many first-time homebuyers, closing the deal on their purchase is a time of celebration and gratitude. While moving furniture and solidifying paperwork might seem like the biggest obstacle to enjoying their new home, it doesn’t take long before they find their first major home improvement project.

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Looking for the perfect gift for Dad? While shopping online for Father’s Day, don’tforget to check with BBB!

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Phishing, despite being one of the oldest and most well-known scam techniques, continues to be successful, because of its adaptability to various forms of communication.Phishing scams target both individuals and businesses, with business losses totaling in the billions over the last three years, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and supported by BBB Scam Tracker reports. https://bit.ly/3x7izfq

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