The Better Business Bureau investigated thousands of scams last year. This week, it released a list of the ten most prevalent scams of 2011. They include:
Check Cashing Scam: The scammer finds a victim who has posted an ad. The victim is sent a check for more than the amount owed, then asked to deposit the funds in his bank account and then send the difference via Western Union. The deposited check bounces after the money has been wired, leaving the victim out of his money.
Door-to-Door Magazine Scam: Consumers complained they paid for subscriptions, but never received a single magazine. The companies also did not answer when victims called to collect a refund.
Facebook Viral Videos Scam: Hackers send what looks like a video from a friend, but when the link is clicked, it downloads malicious software to the user's computer. It also sends the message to friends.
Hotel Identity Theft Scam: Victims received a call in their hotel room in the middle of the night from the "front desk clerk" asking for his/her credit card number because the computer crashed. The scammers then take the credit card numbers and go shopping.
Mark Zuckerberg Sweepstakes Scam: An email claiming to be from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said the recipient won $1 million dollars from the social networking site.
Mortgage Relief Scam: Many websites were created to mimic federal government mortgage relief sites. Most asked for a fee upfront, eventually leaving homeowners in more debt that before.
National Automated Clearing House Association Scam: This email scam would tell recipients an electronic transfer did not go through, and said to click a link. That link would either ask fo rpersonal information or download a virus to the recipient's computer.
Online Job Scam: Job hunters were sent emails or went to websites and filled out applications that looked legitimate. They were even interviewed for jobs. When offered the job, candidates were asked to fill out a credit report or provide bank information for direct deposit. The "new hires" found out they had no job and their identities were often stolen.
Red Light Scam: A caller impersonating a Texas Department of Public Safety official threatened arrest if the consumer did not immediately pay a red-light safety camera ticket. DPS does not collect traffic fines or oversee red-light cameras.
Trade Show Scam: Businesses paid for booth space for a trade show, but found the event was moved to an undetermined date or canceled. The contracts usually included a no-refund policy.
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For more information on these scams or to check out a company, you can go to the BBB's website.
