BBB: Online purchase scams
Adults ages 18–24 reported the highest median losses and the highest likelihood of loss to BBB Scam Trackersm in 2020, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Previously, older age groups consistently lost higher median dollar amounts to scammers year over year, even while young adults tended to lose money more often. This year, the financial loss reported by those 1824 was equal to that of adults 65+. Online scams rise during COVID-19 pandemic: 2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report (Bbb.org/riskreport), focuses on the impact of scams in the wake of the pandemic and the demographic groups most at risk.
More scams were perpetrated online and yielded the highest likelihood of financial loss in 2020. This is likely connected to consumer habit shifts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; in a survey of over 5,000 individuals that reported scams to BBB Scam Trackersm(bbb.org/scamtracker) in 2020, 43.1% said they spent more time online due to the pandemic, and 57.1% said they purchased more online because of the pandemic.
“Scammers go where they feel they can best take advantage of people,” said Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, BBB'S educational foundation. “Not surprisingly, scams perpetrated online through websites and social media apps were the riskiest contact methods for all age groups in 2020 – including both young adults as well as older adults.”
The risk of financial loss also rose significantly in 2020. Nearly one of every two reports to BBB Scam Tracker (46.7%) noted a financial loss, with two-thirds of reports (64.7%) resulting in financial loss being online purchase scams, which was the top riskiest scam in 2020. Online purchase scams were the most common scam reported to BBB, comprising 38.3% of all scam reports. Pet and Ppe-related online purchase scams spiked during the pandemic.
“Scammers are opportunists,” said Trumpower. “If there is a shortage of a product, or an opportunity to leverage a person's heightened emotional state – they will use that scarcity or fear for their personal gain. Scammers will also imposter a recognizable and respected organization or brand to get your attention.”
Another way scammers take advantage of younger adults in particular is by utilizing a payment method less familiar to younger generations: checks. Fake check scams were the second most risky scam for adults ages 18-24 in a year where payment via online payment systems rose across all age groups. Fake check scams yielded one of the highest median dollar losses per encounter at $1,679 in 2020.
“Scams aren't just a drain to people's wallets,” Trumpower noted. “In our annual study of individuals that reported a scam to BBB Scam Tracker, a majority reported losing time and confidence or peace of mind in the marketplace, with over one-third also losing personally identifiable information in the encounter. We share these insights to help fight fraud and promote a trustworthy marketplace for all.”
STANTON – While West Texas has seen some exceptionally dry and extreme drought conditions since August, the little amount of rainfall received could have filled a rain barrel! One inch of rain on a 2,000 square foot roof will yield about 1,200 gallons of water. Imagine the possibilities of capturing large amounts of water to store in your own personal rain barrel.
Rainwater Harvesting is a great practice in dry arid areas because one heavy rain can fill a rain barrel. Stored rainwater can be used for landscape, small wild life, indoor plants, fire protection, or storm water management. While the practice of rainwater harvesting is not commonly known, the benefits of capturing rain can make a positive difference on your outdoor water use. Rainwater has a near neutral ph, is chlorine free, and doesn't have mineral deposits or harsh chemicals. This makes rainwater ideal to use on lawns, landscape, and even crops and fields.
The Permian Basin Underground Water Conservation District (PBUWCD) would like to host a Rainwater Harvesting Seminar to teach the public more about rainwater harvesting and how simple it can be to install a rainwater harvesting system on your own home or building. The seminar would take place at the PBUWCD office at 708 W. Saint Peter St. in Stanton on Thursday, May 6th from 5:306:30 PM. Due to safety concerns, a pre-registration is required with no more than 10 guest being able to attend, but a minimum of 5 guests needed in order to proceed with the seminar. Guests will be temperature checked at the door and asked to wear a face covering and practice social distancing as much as possible. If you would like to attend, please call the PBUWCD office by Wednesday, April 7th, at 432756-2136 to register.
Those in attendance will be introduced to some general knowledge of rainwater harvesting from the District's education coordinator. Then the District's field technician, Shain Howard, will tell how he installed an outdoor system on the PBUWCD building in 2016 which consists of 2- 2,500 gallon tanks as well as rain barrels and rain chains. Shain will tell how plans were developed, how the system was built, and what maintenance it requires. There will also be a door prize drawing for a rain barrel and rain chain giveaway. Come learn with the PBUWCD how simple it can be to install your own rainwater harvesting system for use outside of your home!