Rockford BBB Reveals The Top 10 Local Scams Of 2021

You've got to appreciate consistency. In a world where things are constantly being disrupted, postponed, and cancelled, the people who prey on others sure aren't locking themselves down.

Scams are a constant from coast to coast, and the Rockford area isn't being excluded, according to the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Dennis Horton.

Online Purchase Scams Are Still In The Number One Position For The 2nd Straight Year In And Around Rockford

And, according to the Rockford BBB, online purchase scams hold that #1 spot by a wide margin. Fake websites have cost people in our area some serious money, and so has the particularly awful tactic of "puppy scams," also called "pet scams."

Moving Up Into 2nd Place Thanks To Online Shopping Scams, Is Phishing

Phishing scams can come in the form of prize offers, threatened punishments, or even a text message. Sometimes the sender relies on a victim’s curiosity to prompt a click or download of something dangerous. Other phishing formats may not have any links to click, but rather a phone call to inquire about an account or subscription.

Grabbing The #3 Spot For Scams Affecting The Rockford Area Is Employment Scams

This one comes in many different forms, but almost always involve a fake job offer, sometimes involving the concept of "work from home."

Rockford BBB's Dennis Horton:

Scammers have been notorious for taking advantage of current events and what’s in the news, and unfortunately, the pandemic has been no exception. This has been an opportunity for fraudsters to prey on people’s emotions and the huge increases in remote working.

The Rest Of The Top Ten Include "Evergreen Scams," Which Have Had Success For Years, And Some New Tricks, Too.

• #4: Counterfeit Products (Clothing, electronics, shoes, purses, etc.)
• #5: Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill (Sent to businesses who sometimes pay without checking)
• #6: Identity Theft
• #7: Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams
• #8: Debt Collections
• #9: Tech Support Scams
• #10: Cryptocurrency