Better Business Bureau Upstate SC

It's becoming more and more apparent everyday that no one is immune to the tactics of scammers. People from all age groups and all walks of life can be targeted by scammers looking to steal their money or personal information.

BBB wants to make sure you and your loved ones are staying cautious and making informed purchasing decisions 💰

Check out the 2023 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report by visiting bbbmarketplacetrust.org/riskreport/.

Today is National Grandparents' Day!

Show some extra appreciation for your grandparents today, and always remember to lend an ear - seniors are still one of the most targeted groups for scammers.

Check out BBB tips and resources for Older Adults on bbb.org/all/older-adult-resources!

If you are looking to add a pet to your family, be on the lookout for scams. As consumers turn to the internet to find new pets, experts day a shocking 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake.

Your BBB has tips and resources to help you avoid falling victim to this type of scam - read them by clicking below.

Pet Scams BBB has tips and resources to avoid falling for a pet scam. If you are looking for a pet to add to your family, be on the lookout for scams. Experts say a shocking 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake.

Experts say a shocking 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake! 🐶

Hunter was on with Chrissy from Fox Carolina this morning to discuss the red flags of pets scams and the best ways to avoid them.

To watch the full interview, visit Fox Carolina's website: https://bit.ly/3ZbYpMG

As a part of our end-of-year auction, we were gifted a free VIP ride entry for the Gran Fondo Hincapie in Greenville on October 19! Since the event is taking place prior to our auction, we wanted to put it out there for anyone who may be interested.

If you’re interested in claiming the voucher, shoot us a private message!

September is National Preparedness Month, and BBB wants you to have the resources you need to prepare for natural disasters in your area. These resources include tips and suggestions to make wise decisions and guard against scams.

For more information, click this link: https://bit.ly/3X8J4tP

Spot that Seal! 👀

ANC Group is celebrating FIVE years of BBB Accreditation - and are displaying it proudly in their office off Wade Hampton Blvd 🎉

We stopped by the other day to deliver their anniversary goodies and couldn’t help but admire their entryway! 💙

If you spot the Seal while out-and-about in the Upstate, remember: it’s a Sign of a Better Business!

Hunter was on Fox Carolina's 9 a.m. broadcast with Margaret Ann to discuss pre-purchase information regarding buying tickets from an online reseller.

Watch the full interview on Fox Carolina's website: https://bit.ly/3MmH6kF

We visited Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church's Primetime Senior group on Monday to play a few games of Scam Bingo and learn about scams targeting seniors today ⚠️

A central part of our Education Foundation is visiting groups just like this one to teach about scam red flags and ways to protect yourself and loved ones from fraud - so please don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested!

Should you purchase ticket insurance for your next event? 🏈🎭🎸

With all the uncertainties of pre-planned events, more people are purchasing ticket insurance for concerts, festivals, and sports events than ever before. A study from the UK reported around three in 10 people would now be more likely to pay for ticket insurance, thanks to mass cancelations of big events over the last few years.

But is ticket insurance worth the cost? BBB recommends tips if you’re considering making a purchase - read them by clicking below.

BBB Tip: Should you purchase ticket insurance for your next event? Is ticket insurance really worth the cost? Here are six things to consider before you buy.

With football season getting ready to kick-off, it's important to stay alert and make smart choices when purchasing tickets to an upcoming sporting event.

Click the link below to access BBB's Sports & Leisure HQ to read more tips so you can enjoy the highly-anticipated games this fall.

Sports and entertainment HQ You can't leave caution and safe practices behind at work. Whether you're buying tickets to a game or show, planning something fun for your kids, or going on a vacation -- make smart choices and stay alert. And always look for the BBB Seal (it's the Sign of a Better Business).

Happy National Dog Day to all the dog-owners in the Upstate!

Don't say "cookie" in front of these furbabies! Here are a few of BBB of the Upstate's pups that we're celebrating today. Say hi to Leo, Poppy, Cinnamon, Diesel, and Sawyer! ❤️

Hunter was on with WSPA after card skimmers were found on gas pumps in Spartanburg County to discuss the best ways to protect your personal information.

Listen to the segment by clicking below.

Thank you WSPA 7News for helping us spread such vital information to our Upstate communities!

Better Business Bureau of the Upstate gives safety tips after skimmers found in Spartanburg Co. Better Business Bureau of the Upstate gives safety tips after skimmers found in Spartanburg Co.

Today, our BBB enjoyed reinforcing our relationship with the FBI. BBB's collaboration with the FBI is crucial to helping keep our community safe from scammers and business impersonators in the Upstate.

Thanks to Fox Carolina for having Hunter on their morning broadcast to talk about QR code scams and ways to avoid them!

Read more about these types of scams by visiting our website: https://bit.ly/fraudulent-qr-codes

We are here at the Sterling Community Center for SC Legal Services’s Senior Data Walk! Stop by our table for some good information on scams targeting seniors and the best ways to avoid them.

Scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated everyday, finding new ways to trick their targets into willingly giving away money or personal information - QR codes are a prevalent example.

While legitimate businesses may use QR codes to improve the efficiency of their business, scammers have the capability & resources to create them, whatever their intention may be.

So, how exactly do QR code scams work?

📲 You receive an email, direct message on social media, a text message, flyer or piece of mail that has a QR code on it.

📲 You're instructed to scan the code with your phone camera, and it'll open a link.

📲 The QR code may take you to a phishing website where you're prompted to enter your personal information or login credentials. Or it will automatically launch payment apps or follow malicious social media accounts.

Scammers hope you will scan the code RIGHT AWAY without taking a closer look - make sure the source of the QR code is legitimate.

Learn more about how scammers use QR codes by visiting bbb.org.

Companies use QR codes to point consumers to their apps, track packages, or view menus. But because these codes can’t be read by the human eye, they have become a way for scammers to disguise malicious links.

BBB Scam Tracker received an increasing amount of reports in 2021 claiming con artists are using QR codes to mislead consumers. And with the use of QR codes still trending upward, it's important to be cautious and take a step back before pointing your phone camera at an unknown QR code.

Learn more about how QR code scams work by clicking below.

BBB Scam Alert: Watch out for fraudulent QR codes As QR codes get more popular, BBB is seeing more reports of con artists using them to mislead consumers. These codes are a popular way for scammers to disguise malicious links.

BBB Serving Upstate SC has enjoyed expanding upon our partnership with the Clemson University's Rutland Institute for Ethics. Last week, we had the pleasure of serving on a panel to answer questions from High School students about how to handle different situations ethically. The Rutland Institute shares many core values with our organization, and we look forward to furthering our mission of advancing ethics across campus to students and visitors alike.

Spot that Seal!

Shoutout to Fayssoux & Landis Attorneys at Law PA for displaying their commitment to integrity as a BBB Accredited Business in the Upstate!

If you spot the Seal while out-and-about in the Upstate, remember: It's a Sign of a Better Business!

Home improvement projects sometimes need to be corrected, and you must call in an expert. Choosing the right plumber can be a critical first step to ensure nothing goes astray.

Whether you have an emergency or a planned project, choosing a plumber is the crucial first step. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has tips to remember when hiring any contractor to work in your home.

Read these tips by clicking the article below.

BBB Tip: Hiring a trusted and verified plumber can save you time and heartache Hiring a plumber is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly as they can have a serious impact on your home. Find out our top tips for choosing a plumber.

If you did not catch our tip regarding hiring a plumber on FOX Carolina this morning, be sure to read the full tip below. Thank you as always to our friends at FOX Carolina for having us on weekly for a BBB consumer tip to educate our Upstate community.

https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14084-bbb-tip-plumbers

For more than 200 years since it became a profession, today's plumbing industry moves with a deliberate pace. In 2022, the plumbing industry grew at the rate of inflation - 2.5% - in the previous five years. However, it's expected to slow to below 1%. So - why the sudden change?

The two biggest factors creating near-term momentum in the plumbing market are both familiar - new building starts and home improvement spend - both of which are finding their new normal after the pandemic.

Read more insight into the plumbing industry by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/plumbers-industry-outlook

If you're looking to hire a plumber or are interested in industry information and tips on running a plumbing business, BBB's Plumbing HQ is the place to be 🚽

Find trusted and verified plumbers that can save you time and heartache, as well as BBB's Plumbing Industry Outlook, a report on trends, challenges, and opportunities those in the industry may experience in the future.

Visit BBB's Plumbing HQ by clicking the link below.

Plumbing HQ Looking to hire a plumber? Or are you a plumber looking for industry information and tips on running your business? Either way, you're in the right place!

With kids going back to school, it's more important than ever to revisit the security of your family's online privacy.

Take these tips into consideration when you send your child off to the bus stop or drop them off in the car line - read more by visiting this BBB Tip: https://bit.ly/bbb-tip-online-safety

With the school year starting again - today for Greenville county students - social media is full of adorable back-to-school photos. Often, these pictures feature a child holding a “first day of school” sign with basic information, such as their name and grade.

But before you jump on the trend and snap a similar picture of your little one, read BBB's tips and be cautious about what you share.

Read more about these tips by clicking below.

BBB Tip: Be safe when sharing back to school photos of your kids With the school year starting again, your social media feeds are likely full of adorable back-to-school photos. But before you jump on the trend and snap a similar picture, be sure to read these tips and be cautious about what you share.

We are so glad to have you as a continued member of our Accredited Business community in the Upstate - here's to another 25 years! Don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can assist you with!

🗣️We’re celebrating 25 years as a Better Business Bureau accredited business!!! 🎉