A rapid surge in scams by impostors pretending to be representatives of the Better Business Bureau has caused the organization’s Central & South Alabama office to issue a warning to businesses and consumers.

“It’s disheartening to see scammers attempting to exploit the BBB’s reputation for personal gain,” said President and CEO Carl Bates. “We are committed to safeguarding businesses and consumers from deceptive practices. By sharing information and staying informed, businesses and consumers can better protect themselves from falling victim to these scams.”

Officials within the BBB have reported that impostors have been using phone calls and phishing emails to gain access to personal data.

To fight the scams, the BBB gave some tips and guidelines:

• Scam Tracker: Visit the BBB’s “Scam Tracker” hub to learn how to identify potential scams quickly and effectively.
• Tech Support Scams: The BBB provides insights into various tech support scams, which often involve impostors claiming to investigate fraudulent charges and requesting access to victims’ computers.
• Avoiding Impostors: The will never ask for passwords or device access information. If a call claiming to be from the BBB seems suspicious, hang up and call the BBB at 205-558-2222 or visit the website.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.