BBB Serving Central Indiana
151 N. Delaware Street, Ste. 2020
Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.bbb.org/indy/
 
Contact: Leah McGrath
Sease, Gerig & Associates
317-502-9996
lmcgrath@seasegerig.com
 
 
 
 

For Immediate Release: 8/19/2014

 

August Hot Topics:

  1. Just Because a Friend Shared the Story on Facebook Doesn’t Mean it’s Legit: Do Your Research Before You Click “Give”
  2. Phishing by Email: It may seem like a great opportunity until theses schemers end up taking your money!
  3. Think an Ad Goes Too Far? BBB Investigators are Here to Help
  4. Weekly Tip

(See BBB tips below for these Hot Topics)


Just Because a Friend Shared the Story on Facebook Doesn’t Mean it’s Legit: Do Your Research Before You Click “Give”

Have you ever stumbled upon a crowdfunding site and wondered what is this? Crowdfunding as defined by Merriam-Webster states: “the practice of soliciting financial contributions from a large number of people especially from the online community.” There are several websites that sole purpose is crowdfunding and these sites are very popular right now.

How it works: You find a project on a site that you believe your contribution will impact. Projects can be to help someone with financial struggles or to help someone with an entrepreneurial adventure. Sometimes these projects are legitimate and sometimes they are not. Since you are the donor, you will need to find out for yourself if the information is viable.

Better Business Bureau® Serving Central Indiana offers these tips when considering donating your money:

  • Look into all of the information before you decide to give. Put on your investigative hat. Does the person in charge of the project have enough experience to make the project take off?
  • Read the terms and conditions before giving any money.
  • If you desire, reach out for more information to get your questions answered.  If there is not a phone number to call or place to go for more information, then it may not be a project worth your investment.
  • Set a budget for yourself and only give out money you can afford to give.
  • Contributions are not tax deductible unless the group is a 501©(3).
  • If you think one of the crowdfunding sites has suspicious looking information, please contact the site directly with as much information as you can.
  • Find out if you will receive anything in return for your donation.
  • As always do as much research as possible to make the best informed decision you can.

If you have a question about a company or want to find an Accredited Business you can trust, visit BBB’s website at: bbb.org/indy/


Phishing by Email: It may seem like a great opportunity until theses schemers end up taking your money!

Receive an email saying you deserve to have your money returned or you inherited money or there is unclaimed money? Be very cautious. Often times these emails are phishing schemes in which con artists are out to get your personal information such as banking and financial information. It may seem like a great opportunity until theses schemers end up taking your money!

Better Business Bureau® Serving Central Indiana offers these tips:

  • Don’t click on an email from someone you don’t recognize.
  • If you are in doubt, delete the email.
  • Don’t give out your personal information via email.
  • Look for any typos and grammatical mistakes, as this is a red flag to the senders’ legitimacy.
  • Foreign banks and/or governments do not contact people in the United States advising them of money due to them or requesting help to transfer money. 
  • “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

If you have a question about a company or want to find an Accredited Business you can trust, visit BBB’s website at: bbb.org/indy/


Think an Ad Goes Too Far? BBB Investigators are Here to Help

Did you know? Better Business Bureau® Serving Central Indiana investigates companies that are misleading, deceptive or untruthful in their advertising. Most of the time, companies don’t mean to mislead, but BBB helps them communicate more clearly with their customers. Our investigations team also works with companies whose advertising is under review to seek voluntary substantiation of claims or modification of the claim in review. As a result of deceptive and untruthful advertising, BBB informs the public to these instances when appropriate. BBB is proactively researching advertisements and anyone can contact BBB to report potential misleading advertisements.

If you suspect suspicious advertising or are a victim of a scam please reach out to us by emailing us at ckelley@indybbb.org or calling us at 855-371-5877. 


Tip for the week:

  • Ever regretted a purchase made from a door to door salesman?  Remember FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule!
    • The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Cooling-Off Rule gives consumers three days to cancel purchases of $25 or more, if that purchase was made outside a permanent business location. Learn more about the exceptions and FTC’s Cooling Off Rule here.
    • When signing into any deal or contract, read the contract thoroughly before signing and agreeing to it. Make sure all agreements are given orally are written in the contract. Always read the fine print as well. Once you sign the contract, you have agreed to the terms outlined.

Schedule an interview or need more information, please contact Leah McGrath at lmcgrath@seasegerig.com or 317-502-9996.