New Phone Scam Reveals Man Posing as BBB Representative

Posted November 8th, 2011
Written by RPD Staff

In the past, we have heard of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warning consumers about phone scams, but this incident is the first of its kind. Apparently, the Saskatchewan BBB has received reports of a scam artist calling local residents posing as an employee of the organization.

Pat Heffernan, executive director of the BBB, was contacted by a woman who took a call from a man claiming to represent the Better Business Bureau. The man on the call identified himself as “Joshua”. The man stated that he was currently involved in an investigation on prior credit card transactions and asked for the woman’s credit card information. He pressured her by threatening penalties if she did not comply.

Heffernan, surprised that someone would impersonate a BBB worker, was concerned about the call and suspects more incidents will arise in the near future. “It’s pretty rare that somebody would use the identity of the Better Business Bureau,” he said. Heffernan went on to say that he will not start an internal investigation since the organization is not involved with collecting finances. “I haven’t bothered to search the entire better business bureau network for a ‘Joshua,’ because I know that the Better Business Bureau ethically doesn’t operate that way,” he said.

Sadly, the woman fell prey to the scam and gave over her credit card information. Once she noticed an unauthorized $70 charge on her credit card, she realized she had been scammed. She contacted her bank, credit card company, and the BBB to complain and warn others about the scam. “She did all the right things after the phone call,” said Heffernan.

The scam artist used scare tactics to force his victim to reveal personal credit card information. “I think she was intimidated or bullied, which is very much an approach of these scam artists on the phone,” Heffernan added. “If you’re not used to dealing with people that are like that, you may react the wrong way.”

The BBB believes the call originated out of the country hailing from a “computer-controlled auto dialer”. The BBB is warning people to stay alert to such calls and to never be pressured to provide personal information. “It’s OK to hang up and be rude,” said Heffernan. “If you have doubts about the caller, get rid of him.”