Q: Recently I was the victim of scam activity. Will you advise me of scams currently active and what to watch for in the marketplace?
A: Yes, there is always active scam and fraud activity; consumers and businesses have to be alert at all times to not fall victim. Maybe the best method to answer your question is to advise of the top 10 scams and rip-offs of 2009, which many are still active. Not surprisingly, many scams sought to take advantage of people who were suffering under tough economic circumstances-such as the unemployed. Additionally, the use of free-trial offers to lock consumers into recurring credit and debit card charges was widespread online.
While many of the scams on the list are perennial problems, some scams were distinct in 2009 because of the economic climate and scammers’ fondness for taking advantage of the top headlines. Some scams plagued different parts of the country more than others. For example, in places particularly hit by the housing crisis, bogus offers for foreclosure rescue or debt assistance ran rampant.
Following, in no particular order, is BBB’s list of top scams and rip-offs that took advantage of consumers and small business owners across the U.S. in 2009:
1. Acai Supplements and Other “Free” Trial Offers – Ads offering trial offers for teeth whiteners, acai anti-aging pills and other miracle supplements blanket the internet. The marketing campaigns often falsely claimed an endorsement by Oprah, Rachel Ray and Doctor Oz. Thousands of consumers complained to BBB that the free trial actually cost them as much as hundreds of dollars, month after month.