---

The Purpose of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce is to promote and enhance the Business, Cultural, Educational and Civic Well Being of Columbia and Adair County.

---

1. Mystery Shopper Scam - Survey Platinum is mailing letters to the local area that contain checks, usually in the amount of $3,500.00, in exchange for participation in a "Mystery Shopping Program". The letter instructs consumers to cash the check and wire the money to an undisclosed location the consumer obtains by calling a "Training Coordinator" at the phone number provided in the letter. BBB warns that the check is not legitimate and should not be cashed.


2. Colton Financial, a company claiming to be located in Farmington Hills, Mich., informs consumers they are approved for a secured loan for $5,000.00 if they wire a down payment first. Consumers wire the money, never receive the loan, and then are unable to contact anyone with the company. The company has an "F" rating with the BBB for not responding to several complaints. BBB warns consumers to be wary of bogus loan brokers impersonating legitimate lenders.


3. Facebook phishing scams are designed to seize personal information and can lead to identity theft. Beware of the "dislike" button scam, the Free Gift Card scam, and the Fraudulent Status Update scam. Also, the Free Apple iPad scam links consumers to an external site operated by Better-Gifts.net that asks consumers to register for free trial offers. Consumers' credit cards are charged if the limited-time offers aren't cancelled on time. BBB recommends consumers avoid these Facebook offers.


4. Military dating scams are surfacing on Internet dating and social networking sites. Scammers pretending to be members of the military are building relationships with women then asking for money. Once the women send the money, they never hear from these Romeos again. BBB warns against sending money to someone you've net on a dating site.


5. Door-to-Door scams - BBB recommends exercising caution when hiring companies to do home repairs, driveway re-paving, etc. that solicit business door-to-door. Be wary of companies claiming to have "leftover materials: from a recent neighborhood job and offering services for advance payment. Always research the company first with the BBB at www.bbb.org.


6. National Magazine Exchange, a company that appears to go by at least 13 other names, calls consumers to solicit magazine sales and asks for credit card and bank account information. Invitations are also mailed to consumers inviting them to enter the Million Dollar "Strike It Rich" Sweepstakes, a promotion aimed at boosting subscription sales. The company has an "F" rating with the BBB for not responding to several complaints.


7. Beware of Vishing and SMIShing scams! High-tech scammers pose as financial institutions using voicemail and text messages to inform consumers their credit card or bank information has been compromised and their accounts have been drained or closed. Consumers are given a phone number to call for more information. Once they call the number, they're asked to dial in their credit card number, social security number, PIN or bank account number. BBB warns against giving out financial and personal information via phone.


8. Scholarship scams - Parents and college students should be wary of private scholarship scams offering "a scholarship guaranteed or your money back". Legitimate scholarship foundations don't charge application fees or ask for credit card or bank account information in order to "hold" a scholarship. Research the foundation or financial institution with the BBB at www.bbb.org.