Better Business Bureau
QUINCY — You might have heard of “phishing” phone calls or messages, where a scammer pretends to be someone from your bank, tech support or a government agency to get your personal info or money. But what happens when you get a scam call that seems like it’s from someone you know? Emergency scams, sometimes…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Swimming season has officially kicked off, and, with some hotter-than-normal temperatures in the region lately, a dip in the pool sounds extra refreshing. If you’re considering adding a backyard pool to your list of summer projects, research contractors carefully before taking the plunge. Investing in a pool is a big decision, but a…
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FOWLER, Ill. — Dorothy Williams says just because she’s old doesn’t mean she will fall for a scam. “I am tired of people thinking it’s OK for them to come out here, I’ll give you money and they can do whatever the hell they want to my house,” she said. “I may be 82, but…
Read Full Article QUINCY — June, recognized as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, is a good time for older adults and their loved ones to take extra safeguards against scams and fraud. Older adults, especially those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, can be more susceptible to scams. Scam awareness is a complex mental task, and it’s harder for those…
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'They really got me': Golden man explains how phishing scam starting on YouTube page cost him $7,200
GOLDEN, Ill. — One of the customer service employees at GameStop in Quincy finally helped convince Jason Blentlinger he might be the victim of a scam. Blentlinger, who lives in Golden, recently visited GameStop four times in four days to buy various gift cards. He was sending them to someone imitating a person connected with…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Phishing is one of the oldest and most common tactics scammers use to steal money and personal information from people. A new Better Business Bureau (BBB) study shows that phishing scam reports to BBB Scam Tracker nearly doubled last year, reaching a record high of more than 9,000. Phishing has been around for…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Summer is on our doorstep, and the last thing you want is for the air conditioning to stop working in the middle of a sweltering day. Good HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) contractors are in high demand during the summer, so now is a great time to make sure everything is working…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Sports fans have a lot to appreciate right now with the baseball, UFL and soccer seasons in full swing – but be on the lookout for counterfeits and scams when buying tickets. There’s plenty of team spirit to go around this spring and summer, and buying online is the easiest way for many…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A cross-country road trip is an American summer staple, but if you’re hitting the road this summer, make sure you keep track of your tolls. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received reports of phishing text messages that impersonate road toll collection services to trick people into paying for fake outstanding tolls. The texts…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Figuring out what to do in the aftermath of a scam can be incredibly stressful. Better Business Bureau’s Scam Survival Toolkit can help guide survivors of scams through recovery. Scams affect people of all walks of life. BBB often shares tips on how to avoid scams, but you might still be at risk…
Read Full Article As you start to spruce up your lawn for the summer, make sure you’re working with a trusted lawn care or landscaping service. A beautiful yard takes hard work, and sometimes you need to call in the professionals. Whether you’re looking for help with spring to-dos like yard cleanup, weed control or seeding, or if…
Read Full Article While prospective college students await their highly anticipated acceptance letters this spring, they’re also starting to think about finding financial aid. Some companies offer scholarship opportunities or help finding aid for a fee, but are they really the best option for students? For students struggling to pay for tuition, a sudden scholarship offer or a…
Read Full Article QUINCY — You may be making plans to clean up the physical clutter in your house this spring, but what about the digital clutter on your phone or computer? Spring cleaning season is a great time to check in on your digital cleanliness. Keeping your phone, computer and other devices organized and secure helps ensure…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Spring weather might inspire you to get started on home improvement projects you couldn’t complete during the winter months. Hiring the right contractor is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your project goes smoothly. BBB commonly receives reports from consumers who paid a deposit for home improvement…
Read Full Article As you and your family plan for warmer weather and all the summer fun that comes with it, make sure you vet potential summer camps for your kids carefully. Summer camp is a safe environment for kids to develop social skills, grow a bit of independence and experience the outdoors. At a top-quality camp, parents…
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QUINCY — Jeremy Farlow simply wanted to buy a vehicle for his daughter. He lost $250 to a scam on Facebook … and a little pride as well. “I’m super embarrassed,” Farlow said. “So many warning signs.” The Better Business Bureau said the number of virtual vehicle vendor scam reports increased in 2023 in a…
Read Full Article QUINCY — SAT and ACT scores are a big deal, and high school students and their families invest significant time and money into preparing for these college admissions tests. Scammers know this, and BBB has received reports of scammers taking advantage of students by tricking their families into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Can you recognize AI-made content when you see it? Edited images and videos are nothing new, but generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are making it faster and easier for people to create text, images and videos from scratch. Some experts are predicting a wave of AI content in scams as generative AI programs…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Planning to go see the upcoming total solar eclipse? Be wary of scams when you’reshopping for eclipse glasses and lodging. The path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse will cut through southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Great American Eclipse estimates that between 43,000 and 172,000 people will travel to Missouri and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Couples who got engaged during the holidays are likely to spend spring in a whirlwind of wedding planning, attending wedding expos, bridal shows and consultations. The last thing anyone needs during this stressful wedding planning process is to deal with a business that can’t deliver on its promises. BBB often receives complaints about…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It’s tough to keep track of your info in an increasingly connected world. As we rely more on online services for daily activities, it’s more important than ever to be in control of your data. Quite a bit of personal information is already shared on the internet by cell phones, tablets, laptops or…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Finding a new place to live is stressful, and apartment hunting moves quickly. People looking for a new rental don’t always have time to do thorough research. Scammers try to take advantage of this by creating fake rental listings that use photos and descriptions stolen from real listings to look legitimate. Rental scammers…
Read Full Article QUINCY — No one likes doing their taxes, but filing early may help you avoid tax fraud this year. Tax scams are among the types of fraud most frequently reported to BBB, and scammers often impersonate the IRS. Their goal is either to get your personal information for tax identity theft or to trick you…
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QUINCY — Better Business Bureau Quincy welcomed two new Advisory Board members to its ranks, effective Jan. 1. “Our new board members share BBB’s commitment to making sure Quincy is a great place to live, give and do business,” Don O’Brien, BBB Quincy Regional Director, said in a press release. “I look forward to working…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Success stories in ads for online dating services can make it sound like true love is just a click (or swipe) away. But all dating services have their limitations – and costs. Plenty of people find happiness using a dating website or app, but some may end up disappointed in the number or…
Read Full Article January 02, 2025
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