scams

I always look forward to our twice-monthly phone chats with Dennis Horton, Director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), because I learn something new about how to guard against scammers every single time we talk.

There's no sugar-coating how tough things have been for most people over the last year, especially when we're talking about finding a job. With record-high unemployment comes desperation, and desperation brings out the scam artists.

Okay, so you're thrilled to have completed your two-shot COVID-19 vaccination program, and you want to share the good news with everyone. That's fine, but you need to be very wary about posting a photo of your vaccine card online.

At this writing, it's Wednesday, March 17th, and St. Patrick's Day. It's also the official payment date for the third round of stimulus payments to Americans who are eligible for them.

Dennis Horton, Director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), joined the WROK Morning Show this week with a stack of information on ways to avoid being scammed, and some somewhat good news about robocalls.

Someone said to me recently "You sure do write a lot about scams and scammers." As I started to explain why, he quickly added "And I appreciate it. There are several you've written about that people I actually know have fallen for."

Scam artists tend to go where the money is. Considering how many of us have leaned heavily on Netflix and/or other streaming services to get us through pandemic lockdowns, scammers are finding ways to trick you out of your subscription fees.

It's been quite the week for scam-related news. Earlier in the week, we told you about "Freeze Scammers," then we got more news about unemployment fraud and scams, and now we wrap up the week with news about "Romance Scams."

Yesterday in this space, I posted a warning from the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) about "Freeze Scammers." Freeze scammers are out and about trying to con you with fake furnace tests, unpaid heating bills, and even shoveling.

If you've been thinking that scammers will use absolutely any crisis or situation to try to extract money from your pockets, you are absolutely right. This polar vortex, or frigid weather system we're currently receiving is another opportunity for them.