The Better Business Bureau has released its list of the top 10 scams and rip-offs of 2010. Job hunters and those struggling to make money and get out of debt were common targets of fraudsters, hackers and deceptive businesses in this tough economy.
“With the economy still on the mend, scammers had a field day targeting struggling families who were looking for work and trying to make ends meet,” said BBB President/CEO Matthew Fehling. “While some of the most popular scams – identity theft and lottery and sweepstakes scams, for example – are perpetual problems that have always plagued consumers, some new additions to the list are signs of our tough economic times, such as job-hunter scams and debt relief and settlement services.”
One of the top scams that made the BBB’s list is Timeshare Resellers. Complaints to the BBB about the timeshare industry, including deceptive resellers, increased by over 40 percent according to 2010 estimates. Timeshare owners who are desperate to get rid of their costly vacation property are being targeted by companies that claim they have an eager buyer. The company tells the seller they just have to pay up to several thousand dollars to cover fees. After paying the fees, the seller never hears from the company again.
Although the BBB cited timeshare resellers in their list of worst scammers, the Better Business Bureau has given RedWeek.com an A+ rating. “RedWeek.com has earned an A+ rating – BBB’s highest rating,” reports Niki Horace, BBB’s vice president of marketing and public relations. “We encourage consumers searching for timeshares or a timeshare company to conduct thorough research by visiting www.bbb.org where you can make informed decisions on ethical companies based on their BBB rating.”
By becoming a BBB Accredited Business in 2006, Redweek.com chose to be thoroughly evaluated by the BBB and agreed to abide by its Code of Business Practices. The Code is built on the BBB Standards for Trust; eight principals that summarize important elements of creating and maintaining trust in business.
BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. The BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust.