Better Business Bureau

With more people at home during the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for puppies has skyrocketed, and with that demand comes a new warning about thieves targeting people seeking companionship. “The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has seen a sharp increase in complaints not only locally but nationally regarding puppy scams,” said Steve Bernas, the CEO of the BBB serving Chicago and…

Scams involving pet breeders advertising their services online are on the rise, and NBC 5’s Kate Chappell has a warning from the Better Business Bureau.

Online thieves are preying on the anxiety surrounding the coronavirus pandemic to make a quick buck, according to the Better Business Bureau. “When you have a pandemic type situation, you have panic,” said Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Unfortunately, this is a scammer’s paradise right now.” From masks to at-home test...

Debt collection scams sit atop the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois’ Top 10 Scams of 2019. The annual report analyzes data gathered through the organization’s Scam Tracker, which encourages consumers to report fraudulent activity to help BBB monitor nationwide and local trends more effectively. According to the BBB, phony debt collectors have the rise of robocall and…

The Better Business Bureau is warning of a new “free child safety kit” scam that targets sensitive information about children.

The BBB is issuing a scam warning for apartment seekers, saying that the perfect listing may be too good to be true. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojciechowski has the story.

Whether you’re traveling or looking for a place to live, you might want to double check before you pay rent. A new warning from the Better Business Bureau suggests that if a space seems like a dream come true, it might actually be a nightmare. According to a study from the BBB, “fraud is widespread in the online rental...

The top headlines you need to know as you start your day on Jan. 3, 2019.

Officials from the Better Business Bureau announced the results of a startling new study that shows that email scams have cost organizations more than $3 billion since 2016.

It’s the number one type of fraud targeting consumers and businesses in this country right now, but many people have never heard of it. NBC 5 Responds’ Lisa Parker explains. 

On Friday, Sept. 13, a panel of experts who know the ins and outs of the Chicago area’s top consumer complaints will be at NBC Tower to answer your questions live.

The Federal Trade Commission announced Tuesday a major crackdown on illegal robocalls, including 94 actions targeting operations around the country said to be responsible for more than one billion calls. NBC 5’s Chris Hush reports.

The Rolling Stones are set to kick off their latest world tour at Chicago’s Soldier Field this weekend, and the Better Business Bureau is warning music fans to use their common sense when it comes to purchasing tickets to the big shows.

Scammers preying on grieving widows stole an Illinois woman’s identity, forwarding her mail without her knowledge, charging her credit cards and trying to open new cards mere months after her husband passed away.

Scammers preying on grieving widows stole an Illinois woman’s identity, forwarding her mail without her knowledge, charging her credit cards and trying to open new cards mere months after her husband passed away. NBC 5’s Kate Chappell reports.

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning Tuesday to Chicago-area residents affected by storm damage, noting door-to-door scams are on the rise in the wake of recent storms.

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning Tuesday to Chicago-area residents affected by storm damage, noting door-to-door scams are on the rise in the wake of recent storms.

After the death of 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa, who was killed after responding to an offer of baby items for sale on Facebook, police and advocates are warning the public to be careful when buying or selling items on the internet.

Police say Marlen Ochoa was killed while trying to get baby supplies from a woman she met on Facebook, and while going online can be a great resource, it can also be dangerous. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojciechowski has some tips to help keep you safe.