BBB tallies Greater Cleveland's Top Scams of 2018

Computer Scams (WTAM)

(Cuyahoga County) - The Better Business Bureau has compiled the top five scams reported by Greater Clevelanders in 2018. 

Number One is Phishing Scams, which involved attempts to get victims to divulge personal and confidential information. 

Better Business Bureau CEO Sue McConnell says there schemers attack consumers on all fronts, in an effort to swindle them into revealing their personal information, like bank account and social security numbers. 

The second most prevalent is the Tech Support Scam which creates alarming but fake warnings of a computer virus infection to frighten users into paying for a phony repair. 

Third are Bogus Sweepstakes and Lotteries where supposed "winners" must pay to get their non-existent jackpots. 

Rounding out the top five are Phony Government Grants, with scammers soliciting upfront frees by phone, email, and social media. 

Lastly are Cheap But Counterfeit Online Purchases, inferior knockoff goods usually promoted by crooks in foreign countries. 

McConnell warns that these scams have been around for many years, often catch older people by surprise. However, millennials who they think they are too savvy to get scammed, sometimes let their guard down.

(Photos by Ken Robinson/WTAM)

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