Rockford BBB Announces “The Top 10 Scams Of 2024”

Say what you want about the scammers who prey on people to steal their money and their personal information---they really don't discriminate. They want everyone's money and info equally.

A big word in today's world is inclusion. You see it everywhere, and it's attached to so many things like schools, the workplace, entertainment, and scammers.

They're looking to steal money and information from every age group, economic group, and every racial background---basically every man, woman, and child that they encounter.

They've gotten really good at it, too. Far more local residents have been on the receiving end of a scammer's lies than you might realize, so let's try to keep it from happening to you by taking a look at what scams really worked in our area in 2024, according to the BBB.

The Better Business Bureau Of Chicago And Northern Illinois Recently Released The Results Of Their Annual Scam Tracker Report

That report shows that menacing online shopping scams remain dominant at the #1 position for the fifth year in a row. The pandemic really changed things to the point that shopping on websites and apps instead of brick-and-mortar businesses is the most common purchase method for local and national shoppers. Number-two on the list are phishing scams.

Scams remain at an all-time high since the pandemic. Scammers continue to add twists and technology, even setting traps with AI and conducting fake virtual or phone interviews, especially in employment scams.

Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau:

Fraudsters take advantage of new technology and current events to steal people’s money, identity, and savings. The results show that con artists keep coming up with various schemes and ways to entice all age groups to snare as targets. The only way to stop scammers is not to give them your business, which requires vigilance.

People Who Are Legitimately Looking For A Job Have Found, And Continue To Find Themselves Being Targeted By Scammers

Jumping into the #3 position this year are Employment scams. Having employees work virtually and virtual hiring has made fake job opportunities ripe for scammers who know the value of stealing personal identity and banking information.

Here's the full list of the BBB's Top Ten Scams Of 2024:

1. Online Purchase: #1 for the fourth year in a row, most often fake websites, with pets being one of the top scams.
2. Phishing Scams: Clicking on scam links can lead to malware and imposter scams.
3. Employment Scams
4. Debt Collection Scams
5. Counterfeit Products
6. Travel/Vacation/Time Share Scams
7. Government Agency Imposter Scams
8. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prize Scams
9. Tech Support Scams
10. Investment Scams