News Summary
The Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York has introduced a new initiative aimed at educating young adults, particularly students, about scams. This program addresses the rise in fraudulent activities targeting individuals aged 18-24, emphasizing employment scams and other common schemes. The BBB’s initiative will utilize partnerships with educational institutions to provide essential tools for recognizing and avoiding scams. By equipping students with necessary knowledge, the BBB aims to foster a safer community and mitigate financial losses among this demographic.
New York – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Upstate New York has launched a new program aimed at combating a significant rise in scams targeting young adults, particularly high school and college students. This initiative is especially critical, as recent statistics indicate that individuals aged 18-24 are losing substantial amounts of money to scams, with losses nearly matching those of older generations.
The BBB’s mission has been consistent since its establishment in 1923: to promote trust in communities and educate the public about scams and fraud. Serving a 48-county region that includes major cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany, the organization has become a trusted resource for both businesses and consumers. The President and CEO, Warren Clark, emphasizes the importance of fostering awareness in order to help protect the community from fraudulent activities.
This new program is tailored to educate students about various types of scams that frequently target their demographic. In particular, employment scams have been highlighted, with reports indicating an increase in deceptive job offers disseminated through text messages, promising high pay for remote work. The BBB has confirmed that these scams frequently result in financial losses averaging around $1,500 per victim, particularly affecting individuals aged 18-34.
Scope of the Scam Education Program
Among the topics addressed in the student-focused scam and fraud program are:
- Employment Scams
- College Admissions Scams
- Online Shopping Scams
- Social Media Scams
- Phishing Scams
- Identifying AI-Generated Content
The BBB aims to reach out to students through partnerships with educational institutions, providing them with the tools needed to recognize phishing attempts and fraudulent job offers. The organization will present information both virtually and in-person to various community groups and senior organizations across its service area.
Consumer Engagement and Resources
In 2024, the BBB received inquiries, scam reports, or complaints from over 3 million consumers, showcasing the pressing need for ongoing education and support in the community. Consumers are encouraged to utilize the BBB’s Scam Tracker, a free resource that allows individuals to report and investigate scams in their area.
The BBB also offers Accreditation to businesses across all sizes and industries in Upstate New York. Research indicates that more than 80% of consumers prefer to engage with BBB Accredited Businesses over non-Accredited competitors with the same A+ letter rating, citing trustworthiness and a strong reputation as key reasons for their preference. BBB Accreditation is recognized as a powerful marketing tool, making businesses appear more trustworthy in the eyes of consumers.
Getting Involved
Businesses interested in obtaining BBB Accreditation can reach out to Nadine Tasevski via phone or email. For organizations seeking to request presentations regarding scams, Katarina Schmieder is available for contact. The BBB actively promotes its mission through various channels, ensuring that community members are well-informed about prevalent scams and how to avoid them.
Conclusion
In summary, the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York is taking proactive steps to safeguard young adults from scams, particularly through its comprehensive education program. By empowering students with the knowledge to recognize and report scams, the BBB strives to foster a safer community for all consumers. Additional information about business research, event updates, and scam avoidance tips can be found on the BBB’s website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CNHI: DMV Text Message Scam Warning
- Wikipedia: Scam
- Democrat and Chronicle: Common Scams in Rochester
- Google Search: Scams in New York
- Spectrum News: Donation Request Scam Warning
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- WGRZ: Rising Job Scams Alert
- Google News: Job Scams in New York
