Get scam warnings by text

By Dick Eppstein
Better Business Bureau

“Can you send me warnings on the latest scams? And don’t email me; I never have time to look at my emails!”

This request from an Adrian, Mich., consumer in 2020 got BBB’s attention. We did some homework, and as a result, all consumers are now invited to sign up for free BBB scam alerts by text.

It couldn’t be simpler. Just text the word START to 95577. You will be immediately signed up to receive BBB Text Alerts on the latest scams and frauds. The service is free and the information is completely confidential. It is not shared with or sold to anyone else.

A recent alert warned about social media messages that say: “Due to the pandemic, Netflix is offering everyone a year of free service. Click the link to sign up.” But the message doesn’t come from Netflix and the personal information consumers provide can be harvested by internet scammers and sold on the dark net.

Many of us don’t have time to read our email, but everyone checks their text messages.

BBB serves an 18-county area from Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties in Michigan to all of Northwest and West Central Ohio. This includes the cities of Findlay, Monroe, Bowling Green, Bucyrus, Defiance, Adrian, Bryan, Wauseon, Sandusky, Fremont, Fostoria, Upper Sandusky, Norwalk, Hillsdale, Galion and all of the NW Ohio area. All business owners and their employees are invited to sign up for these free BBB Text Alerts.

Dick Eppstein is BBB president, dickep@toledobbb.org, 419-720-7188.