Scammers Close In as Tax Season Opens

January 26, 2023

Filing season marks the return of Tax Schemes
Read this BBB Alert to learn how to protect yourself and file safely.

Holidays are Prime Time for Pet Scams

December 12, 2022

BBB Investigation Update: Average Money Loss in Puppy Scams Spikes

Rockford, IL – Dec. 6, 2022 – Puppy scams are not only one of the most emotionally devastating scams, but a new BBB study update also reveals victims are losing more money per incident than ever before. In fact, average monetary losses are climbing, with an average loss of $850 in 2022, up 60% since 2017. BBB has tracked this since 2017, when it issued an in-depth study Puppy Scams: How Fake Online Pet Sellers Steal from Unsuspecting Pet Buyers. Yorkies, Dachshunds and French Bulldogs make up nearly 30% of all puppy scams, according to 2022 BBB Scam TrackerSM reports. However, consumers mentioned more than 40 breeds, meaning that buyers should be cautious when shopping for any breed online.

BBB Alert: Avoid Black Friday Scammers

November 23, 2022

Rockford, IL – November 23, 2022 – Black Friday, traditionally the single busiest combined online and in-person shopping day of the year, arrives a little earlier this year, with many stores already advertising Black Friday prices. Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau says, “This always is a time where emotions run high and, to snap up a great deal people often rush their decisions. This can lead to buyer’s remorse if a fast decision leads to getting scammed online, or buying an item that shoppers end up deciding they didn’t want or dealing with a company that turns out to be substandard. The lowest price is not always the best deal; working with companies you know, and trust is invaluable.”