Latest news with #BBB.org
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
BBB: thousands of dollars lost due to scams targeting vacationers
HONOLULU (KHON2) – A warning to travelers — as summer adventures heat up, so do scams targeting vacationers. The Better Business Bureau is warning travelers about a fake website and call center posing as Expedia that has already cost consumers thousands of dollars. Tips for families traveling with loved one with Alzheimer's According to BBB's Cameron Nakashima, the BBB has received reports of travelers mistakenly modifying existing Expedia bookings through a lookalike site that closely resembles Expedia. The site — often found through online search ads — claims to offer flight and hotel reservations. Several travelers reported booking flights or calling to modify tickets they thought were purchased through Expedia. But after payment, victims are left with fake confirmation numbers, no real bookings and no way to recover their money. Reported losses range from $1,500 to $4,000. So here are Nakashima's tips to avoid these types of travel scams: When you need to make a reservation or edit a booking, start by going directly to official websites, not through search ads. Type the web address manually whenever possible. Or use the company's official app. Or if you're not sure, you can go to the company's listing on to find their official contact information. Keep your money safe. Whenever possible, make an online payment with a credit card so that it is easier to dispute charges if fraud occurs. If ordering tickets through a third-party booking service or an airline you are not familiar with, always research the company at to see ratings and complaints before making a purchase. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Open ticket scams: what to watch for, how to stay safe
Oakmont Country Club will soon be the place to be as the community prepares for the U.S. Open. Scammers are hoping to take advantage of eager fans. It's one of the biggest events in sports and it generates millions. Everyone wants to cash in. 'This is a ripe opportunity for scammers to take advantage of people who are looking to attend,' said Public Relations Director of the Better Business Bureau, Caitlin Driscoll. Caitlin Driscoll works for the Better Business Bureau. She said they typically see an uptick in scam reports when there's a big concert, major sporting event or any high-profile event, so they expct to see the same for golf fans. 'If you are seeking tickets to the U.S. Open, make sure you purchase through authorized sources,' Driscoll said. You can buy tickets on If you are looking for resale tickets, the USGA Resale Marketplace is the only authorized option. Experts also say to look for a money-back guarantee if there's any problem with your tickets. The U.S. Open is mobile entry only and screenshots will not work. Download tickets in advance to avoid any issues with Wi-Fi. 'With technology nowadays, I always say that it's a blessing and a curse. Know who you're dealing with because anybody is susceptible for falling for a scam,' Driscoll said. As scams get more convincing, you cannot blindly trust ads either. They can also be counterfeit. 'Just like legitimate companies, keep in mind, scammers can purchase ads on social media to specific targeted demographics in certain areas,' said Driscoll. So double-check the URL, make sure it starts with http and has the lock icon. Use a secure payment method like a credit card, which offers more protection. Using payment apps like Zelle or Venmo offers very little protection. If you choose to buy tickets or merch elsewhere, beware. 'Very easy for scammers to create legitimate-looking ads, stealing pictures from authorized retailers, claiming to offer a slight or even significant discount to try to catch people's attention,' Driscoll said. Remember, before you buy tickets or anything online, you can use websites like and to look for customer complaints and reviews about a company. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB: Trending social media scam targets animal lovers, kind-hearted donors
HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you've spent time on social media lately, you may have come across ads or videos selling merchandise claiming to support a charity. According to the Better Business Bureau, these video ads, often featuring pleading older adults, adorable animals, and touching music, are part of a growing social media scam targeting animal lovers and kind-hearted donors. Hawaiʻi's 5 most commonly surrendered dog breeds BBB's Cameron Nakashima told KHON2 in reports received by the BBB, they're seeing an increase in deceptive ads involving the use of AI-generated videos. Recently, they published a warning specifically about deceptive advertisements on social media, notably TikTok, that allege to be associated with charities or local impact people are reporting that many of these ads are scams, not actual charities. The reality is that AI-generated videos are getting better by the year – they are convincing and effective. So we don't see them going away anytime soon. Nakashima provides these tips to stay safe: Don't give in to videos that tug at your heartstrings. If you see one of these videos with kittens, puppies, or cows and want to make a purchase to support the cause, resist the urge to do so right away, even if the video relays a sense of urgency. Give locally. Contact your local or state/provincial animal shelters or other agencies directly and ask how you can support them. Only do business with companies you know and trust. If you want to purchase a product or donate, do so through a reputable business or non-profit. If you want to buy something from a company you aren't familiar with, do plenty of research first. Look up the company name, website, and contact information. For businesses, read reviews on and do a general search with the company's name and the word 'scam.' For charities, you can look them up on Check out more news from around Hawaii He said not to skip this step, even if you're excited about the product. It's the best way to protect yourself from fraud. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB: New graduates become targets for scammers during end of school season
HONOLULU (KHON2) – While many new graduates enter the job market or search for their first rental property away from home, the local Better Business Bureau warns that scammers may be targeting these young adults. Experts share tips on how to navigate today's job market as graduation season is upon us Cameron Nakashima from Better Business Bureau identified three types: Fake Job Offers Scammers impersonate real companies or create fake ones. They offer remote jobs or 'hiring now' roles via email, text message, or social media. After a short 'interview,' victims are offered the job—but must provide sensitive information or pay for training or equipment. Student Loan Forgiveness Scams: They mimic federal programs or call pretending to be with the U.S. Department of Education. They claim they can reduce monthly payments or eliminate loans altogether—for a fee. Victims are pressured to act quickly and give up FAFSA credentials. Rental Scams Scammers copy real listings or invent fake ones, post them on social sites or rental apps, and collect deposits before disappearing. First-time renters are especially vulnerable because they often don't know what a legitimate lease process looks like. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Nakashima said to prevent falling into these schemes, you need to pay attention. Watch out when people reach out to you – especially via text. Across the board, recent graduates and young adults report the primary method of losing money to scammers is through text messages and with digital payments and payment apps. Do your research on the company. Look up its website, look for the address and contact info – does it all look legit? For example, for student loan forgiveness, that should be a government website (.gov). If its not, that's suspicious. If the website looks good though, you should also check them out on and other online reporting agencies to learn what people and professionals have to say about those businesses. Listen to your gut if something seems off – and get a trusted second opinion. If you feel like something is not quite right about an opportunity or offer but can't put your finger on it, get a second opinion. You can ask a friend of family member or you can even call your local BBB office and we can give you advice based on our database of information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds being scammed with text messages in Hawaii
HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you've received a text saying your package couldn't be delivered, you owe unpaid tolls, or you've won a prize you don't remember signing up for — it probably didn't come from a legitimate company. It likely came from scammers trying to steal your money or identity. Infant and early childhood mental health services available in Hawaii 'Scammers go where we pay attention — and today, for many of us, that's our phones,' said Cameron Nakashima with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 'We've seen a major increase in reports of smishing — that's phishing via SMS — over the past few years.' According to the BBB, more than 14,000 phishing scams were reported nationwide last year, with roughly 400 of those coming from Hawaii. Losses from phishing scams totaled more than $20 million. One growing challenge is that more legitimate companies are texting customers, which makes it harder to distinguish real messages from fake ones. Scammers take advantage of that trust by impersonating delivery companies, banks or even government agencies — all in an effort to get you to click a malicious link or share personal BBB recommends watching for red flags in suspicious text messages: Unsolicited texts — If you didn't sign up for it, don't trust it. Links in the message — Legitimate companies typically won't send strange-looking links asking for personal information. Personalized details — Scammers often use your name or address to make the message seem more real. That information may have come from a data breach or public source. And while it might be tempting to reply 'STOP' or 'Unsubscribe,' or even confront the sender, Nakashima warns against it. 'It might feel like the right thing to do — but don't reply. That's what scammers want,' he said. 'Replying confirms your number is real, which can lead to even more spam and scams. Instead, block the number, delete the message and report it.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Consumers can report suspicious messages to the BBB Scam Tracker or their mobile provider. More tips and information are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
