3 On Your Side: BBB Launches Scam Tracker Website
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Scams are a growing business for criminals. But now the Better Business Bureau is providing a new tool that can help consumers from being targeted and ripped off. 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan explains.
It's called Scam Tracker. It's designed to monitor and track fraudulent activity, both locally and across the U.S.
Matthew Webster was working on his computer when he received a pop-up claiming that his laptop had a virus and he needed to call tech support. He says, "I couldn't do anything with my computer, my computer was locked up."
Webster called and through a series of clicks gave the person on the other end remote control of his computer. He says, "It's kind of scary that they could get access to my computer." But when the caller tried to sell him anti-virus software, he realized it was a scam and shut down his machine.
The Better Business Bureau is now using reports like Webster's for a new system called Scam Tracker. The program documents thousands of reported rip-offs nationwide., everything from credit card and charity scams to fake lotteries. Simply click on the map on the Scam Tracker website to see what specific scams are happening in your area.
Mary Power is President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. She says, "Scams have been around forever, but with the advent of technology they've exploded and we're now using technology to catch the scammers."
Information reported to the Scam Tracker site is shared with law enforcement. Matthew Webster hopes the information that he shared will keep others from getting scammed.
To check out the Scam Tracker website visit: www.bbb.org/scamtracker