Scammers cash in on credit score concerns

Are you trying to buy a home, or take out a loan? Then, you care about your credit score.

Everyone knows that credit scores are important. A low credit score can prevent you from qualifying for a loan or other financial product. Your credit score affects the interest rate you get on a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan or credit card. In addition, property owners, employers, utility companies and cell phone companies use your credit score.

Scammers know the importance of credit scores too, and they are using related scare tactics to get consumers to give up sensitive personal information.

Recent scams concerning credit scores follow a similar pattern. For instance, you receive an email from a credit reporting company (such as TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax) asserting there is a problem with your credit report. The email contains the logos of the companies it claims to represent and looks legitimate. The email says there is a problem with your credit score, perhaps due to a security breach, and your score has been updated.

You want to find out what happened. The email prompts you to click a link or download a PDF to view your new credit score. When you click, you could unknowingly download malware to your computer, giving scammers access to your system.

The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers the following tips on how to avoid credit score scams:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails. If you think the correspondence is real, confirm it by visiting the company’s official website or calling them. Just be sure to find the phone number on their website, not in the potential scam email.

• Don’t click on links or open attachments if you aren’t sure about the sender. Never click on links in suspicious emails or text messages. Hover your mouse over links without clicking to see if the address is truly from the company it claims to represent. The URL in the text should match the URL that your mouse detects. If the two do not match, it is most likely a scam.

• Don’t believe what you see. Just because an email looks real, doesn’t mean it is. Scammers can fake anything, from a company logo to the “sent” email address.

• Don’t give in to fear. Scammers want you to panic and take immediate action. Stay vigilant, ask questions, and do your research before making a decision.

• Review your credit history periodically, so you are aware of any potential issues. You are entitled to a free

The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail lnapoliello@bbbhou.org. Include your mailing address and phone number.