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BBB warns of holiday travel scams: How to spot fake websites and protect your money
Read full article: BBB warns of holiday travel scams: How to spot fake websites and protect your moneyAs millions of travelers prepare to hit the skies for Thanksgiving, the Houston Airports System is bracing for an influx of around 2.2 million passengers. But this busy travel season also brings a surge in travel scams, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning passengers to stay vigilant.
Houston ranks second in nation for moving scams, new study reveals
Read full article: Houston ranks second in nation for moving scams, new study revealsA new warning as many of you get ready to send your kids off to college: With summer being a busy time for moving, reports of people getting scammed are surging all across the Houston area, leaving many residents vulnerable and out-of-pocket.
‘I’ve been meaning to reach you about your car’s extended warranty’: Is it a scam or just misleading?
Read full article: ‘I’ve been meaning to reach you about your car’s extended warranty’: Is it a scam or just misleading?They try by phone, by email and even by mail. It seems a carrier pigeon is the only method of communication these companies looking to reach you about your vehicle’s extended warranty.
The ‘rule of thirds’ to follow when hiring a contractor to repair your home
Read full article: The ‘rule of thirds’ to follow when hiring a contractor to repair your homeWe’ve warned you before: some contractors use big weather events to try and rip people off. You have to be careful. KPRC 2 Investigator bill spencer has what you need to know before hiring a contractor.
Stay alert, Houstonians: Don’t fall victim to this new subscription renewal scam
Read full article: Stay alert, Houstonians: Don’t fall victim to this new subscription renewal scam🚨 Attention Houstonians! 🚨Be on the lookout for a new twist in email scams! Scammers are posing as businesses and tricking people into providing personal and credit card information. They send urgent emails claiming your membership or subscription has expired and ask you to click on a link. Don't fall for it! Stay vigilant and protect your personal information. Spread the word to friends and family to keep them safe too. #HoustonScamAlert #StaySafeOnline 💻💪
Fraudsters target small businesses with scams. Here are some to watch out for
Read full article: Fraudsters target small businesses with scams. Here are some to watch out forIt’s never fun to be scammed, but if you’re a small business owner then falling for a scam can have long-lasting effects on a business, damaging client relationships and profit.
Fake jobs: Red flags, how to spot the differences when looking for work
Read full article: Fake jobs: Red flags, how to spot the differences when looking for workLinkedIn reports 50 percent of workers will actively look for a new job this year and most of those people will search online to find one. But beware, as job scams are a growing problem.
A year and a half after Northside man buys car he can’t register, seller promises to help
Read full article: A year and a half after Northside man buys car he can’t register, seller promises to helpBuyer beware! A northside man who says he paid thousands of dollars in cash for a vehicle including tax, title, and license, tells KPRC 2 that nearly a year and a half later, he still hasn’t been able to register the vehicle in his name after the DMV told him he needed more paperwork.
How to hold an estate sale without getting ripped off
Read full article: How to hold an estate sale without getting ripped offAmy Sharp and Jason Leopard are in the middle of a battle they never dreamed they would be in. They were ripped off by an estate sale company. Bill Spencer looks into what you should do if you have a similar problem.
‘We just want peace’: Family frustrated after waiting more than 2 years for headstone
Read full article: ‘We just want peace’: Family frustrated after waiting more than 2 years for headstoneA family says they can’t grieve the death of their mother because they are wrapped up in a mess over her headstone. They are both heartbroken and mad and reached out to KPRC 2 Investigates for help.
Fraud alert: Thieves target families looking for financial aid
Read full article: Fraud alert: Thieves target families looking for financial aidFamilies with kids going to college or vocational schools may be looking for all the financial help they can get. There are a lot of places to go for scholarships and grants but you should be careful about where you apply. Thieves prey on unsuspecting families so we have three things to look out for.
Ask Amy show notes: Avoiding roof scams
Read full article: Ask Amy show notes: Avoiding roof scamsThe roofing industry is not regulated or licensed, so you really need to watch out. Investigator Amy Davis looks into what you should know before hiring roofing help. Christian and Jennifer Hernandez from JC and C Roofing join Amy Davis for an episode of Ask Amy.
Scam alert: Alief woman thought she landed a new job but instead had her identity stolen
Read full article: Scam alert: Alief woman thought she landed a new job but instead had her identity stolenIf you’re on the hunt for a new job, beware of scammers who the Better Business Bureau says are getting more sophisticated and putting new twists on traditional job scams.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Customers waiting for windows
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Customers waiting for windowsA popular window company is accused of taking customers’ money and ghosting them for months, some for more than a year. Windows can be a great upgrade but for some, it’s turning into an expensive and risky investment.
CenterPoint Energy loses BBB accreditation; This is what the company is saying about it
Read full article: CenterPoint Energy loses BBB accreditation; This is what the company is saying about itCenterPoint Energy has lost its Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas accreditation due to several issues the BBB has identified, according to its website.
Florida woman says she paid Christal Clear Designs over six-figures for home renovations and the company never showed up
Read full article: Florida woman says she paid Christal Clear Designs over six-figures for home renovations and the company never showed upA woman in Florida is speaking out, claiming she paid Christal Clear Designs over six figures for interior design work but the company never came to her home.
Don’t fall for it: BBB reports fake parking ticket scams on the rise nationwide
Read full article: Don’t fall for it: BBB reports fake parking ticket scams on the rise nationwideReports of fake parking tickets are on the rise as consumers were reportedly scammed by tickets that looked surprisingly real.
Texas Pride Disposal complaints reach BBB as some homeowners associations consider cutting ties over trash service
Read full article: Texas Pride Disposal complaints reach BBB as some homeowners associations consider cutting ties over trash serviceThe Texas Pride Disposal complaints KPRC 2 viewers have been sharing all week are enough to fill a garbage can.
Ask Amy: Holiday shopping related fraud warning
Read full article: Ask Amy: Holiday shopping related fraud warningThe holiday shopping season is in full swing - and so are thieves, working hard to trick you. More people are already being targeted by mail delivery schemes. Amy Davis explains you should know to protect both your packages and your personal information.
Ask Amy: How to get help when dealing with a bad business
Read full article: Ask Amy: How to get help when dealing with a bad businessBefore you buy just about anything these days you probably check the reviews. Are you getting the best information when looking around? Or, what about if you need help dealing with a bad business? We are looking into what you need to know about backgrounding a business with the Better Business Bureau.
Ask Amy show notes: How the BBB helps you with consumer issues
Read full article: Ask Amy show notes: How the BBB helps you with consumer issuesYou probably check reviews for just about everything, even when you have a problem. Hear from Better Business Bureau President Dan Parsons about using the BBB to get help with issues you are having with a company or business. You’ll learn the review process, how complaints are handled, how the company ratings are scored and why some businesses get kicked out.
How to prevent your video security system from being hacked
Read full article: How to prevent your video security system from being hackedYou buy smart video security systems to keep an eye on your home when you are away. But you could be exposing your home to thieves if you are not careful. The KPRC 2 Investigates team explains 4 things you can do to protect yourself.
Ask Amy: Can an apartment complex require you to buy insurance? Plus, a roofing scam warning
Read full article: Ask Amy: Can an apartment complex require you to buy insurance? Plus, a roofing scam warningNearly half of all Houstonians pay rent every month instead of a mortgage. So, many of you may relate to our first question about renters insurance. Also today, the warmer weather is nice but it also means the prime season for roofing scammers. What you need to know if someone knocks on our door offering to help you.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Woman says worker tricked her out of nearly $800 for air duct cleaning
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Woman says worker tricked her out of nearly $800 for air duct cleaningWhen you hire someone to do a job at your house that you can’t do, you have to trust that they’ll do the job right. A Humble woman says she’s out nearly $800 and has nothing to show for it after she hired someone to clean her air ducts. It’s a common crime that happens in communities all over the country and we want you to know what to look out for.
KPRC 2 Investigates online car buying nightmares
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates online car buying nightmaresWhen you buy a car online, you are buying it sight unseen. No test driving and no kicking the tires, so it's already a little risky. One online car buying company is standing out from the others - and not in a good way. Complaints about the used car company Vroom are skyrocketing. Hear from two customers who can't even drive their cars and what the company has to say about the increase in complaints.
FBI, other agencies warn of increase in ransomware attacks against individuals
Read full article: FBI, other agencies warn of increase in ransomware attacks against individualsThe Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas and the FBI are warning of an increase in ransomware, alerting individuals to be wary of unknown or misleading emails, texts, and phone calls that could lead to individuals installing ransomware on their devices.
Posting a photo of your COVID-19 vaccination card on social media poses threat of identity theft, BBB warns
Read full article: Posting a photo of your COVID-19 vaccination card on social media poses threat of identity theft, BBB warns(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)The Better Business Bureau is warning those who have received their COVID-19 vaccine to not share a photo of their vaccination card on social media. According to the BBB, sharing a photo of a vaccination card poses a threat of identity theft as it displays self-identifying information including a person’s full name, date of birth, and where they received the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, the BBB warns that photos of COVID-19 vaccination cards shared on social media can help scammers create phony versions. Scammers in Great Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok,” the BBB said in a release. Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell phony ones.”AdBefore sharing news that you’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine, BBB recommends the following:
5 things to know about the evolving COVID-19 vaccine scams
Read full article: 5 things to know about the evolving COVID-19 vaccine scamsWe are learning more about COVID vaccine scam warnings. Know the rules about COVID vaccine distributionCrooks are also lying about how you can get your vaccine. Right now there is NOT an option to send a COVID vaccine to your home. Be aware, the vaccine will always be freeYou should never have to pay out of pocket for anything related to the COVID vaccine. Make sure aging parents know the vaccine guidelinesJust like other scams, the most common victims are often our aging parents.
How to spot fake shopping sites and avoid being scammed
Read full article: How to spot fake shopping sites and avoid being scammedOnline shopping scams are on the rise as thieves look to take advantage of the increase in people shopping online during the pandemic. Online shopping scams, like the one Black fell for, are on the rise as thieves take advantage of the surge of people flocking to the internet during the pandemic. To lure you onto the sites, scammers pay for ads on Facebook, Google and other websites. So far this year, the FTC has received more than 37,000 reports of online shopping fraud, amounting to $27 million in losses. You can also report the site on the Better Business Bureau and FTC websites, which could help others from being scammed.
BBB warns ‘Secret Santa’ and ‘Secret Sister’ gift exchange is illegal
Read full article: BBB warns ‘Secret Santa’ and ‘Secret Sister’ gift exchange is illegalIt’s called the “Secret Santa” or “Secret Sister” and it’s a gift exchange, usually amongst women. It works like this:Secret Sister social media recruitment post (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.) Secret Sister social media post (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.) • Report social media posts. Some pyramid schemes try to win your confidence by claiming they’re legal and endorsed by the government.