The Better Business Bureau received a phone call Friday from a Saskatchewan consumer who reports receiving a telephone call from a gentleman identifying himself as Joshua from the BBB, and alleging to be investigating a credit card transaction from several months ago. This consumer reports the caller used high pressure tactics and offered ease of solution at low cost as his approach. The consumer asked many questions, but fear of more expensive outcomes as mentioned in the scare tactics convinced her to provide her credit card number. The prospect of satisfying an alleged obligation at a hugely discounted price was perceived as the best alternative even though she was unclear or uncertain about the alleged historical transaction. The consumer reports that the telephone number from which the call came was all zeros which indicates that a computer controlled audio dialer environment was employed and as a result is virtually untraceable, and in all probability outside the country.
In this instance the customer acted immediately on the advice of the BBB and called both her Bank and her Credit Card Service provider. Her service provider advised that in the short time period of 45 minutes a transaction in excess of $70 had been processed with the funds charged to her credit card account.
The Better Business Bureau does not engage in investigation collection disputes, does not act as a collection agency, will never call consumers to collect money for historical transactions, will not negotiate discounts for the purchase of services over the phone, and will not use high pressure sales tactics.
BBB Tips:
- Do not provide your credit card number to unsolicited phone calls from any service provider over the phone under any circumstances.
- Hang up when a caller uses scare tactics or offers huge discounts.
- If you shop over the phone or online with a credit card, use a card with a small credit limit to manage the potential financial risk you may be subjected to in the event of a security breach.
- Check your back account and credit card statements on a regular basis. If you use internet banking you can do this daily or weekly, and most major credit card issuers have 1-800 numbers you can call to review transaction history. Pick up the phone and call between statements.
- If you have doubts about the identity of a caller, obtain the phone number and offer to call back after satisfying your doubts.
- Call the Better Business Bureau to inquire about any suspicious telephone calls, emails received, or advertising flyers dropped in your mailbox.
Contact the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan at (306) 352 - 7601, toll free at 1 (888) 352 - 7601 or online at
www.sask.bbb.org or email at
info@bbbsask.com. The Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan Inc. is a non-profit organization funded by accredited businesses throughout the province.
"The BBB... developing, encouraging and promoting
ethical business practices in the marketplace."
