Ohioans seeking help from companies promising to reduce or eliminate debt or fix their credit scores are getting duped, and often are left financially worse off, according to a new report.

Judy Dollison, president of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, said the rise in student loan, medical and credit card debt has increased demand for such services. The problem, she said, is not all companies are legitimate.

"BBB has had more than 12,000 complaints and negative reviews combined about credit and debit assistance companies," Dollison reported. "That just shows you that this is a problem."

The Better Business Bureau advised using a credit report service such as AnnualCreditReport.com, and calling the debt holders yourself to attempt to negotiate a lower payment or interest rate.

Dollison pointed out sketchy debt relief, debt consolidation and credit repair companies offer quick and extensive financial fixes and use high-pressure tactics to get consumers to quickly pay upfront fees.

"What we find is, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is," Dollison explained. "Credit and debit repair actually take months, if not years, to solve."

If a legitimate company has bad business practices, Dollison advised, people can file a complaint or do a customer review. But if they believe the organization is scam, she said they should use the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker site to report it.

"You cannot only report when you've been approached by a scammer," Dollison noted. "You can also look up the situation that you're in, to see if others have reported that as a scam."

She added if you are seeking out a company's services, do not be rushed, and avoid giving away any personal banking information until you have evidence it is operating legitimately.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day when millions of Americans are expected to make charitable donations.

But it can also be a field day for scammers. Experts have tips on how to make sure your contribution ends up in the right hands.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says charities are required to file financial reports with the state's Department of Justice, so you can go online and check their registration status.

"You can use our registry: search tool@oag.ca.gov, under charities to ensure a charity is in good standing and is up to date with its financial reporting requirements," Bonta explained.

Consumers are urged to read those financial reports, to find out what percentage of their revenue is spent on the mission versus on staff and overhead. Experts also warn people not to fall for high-pressure tactics used on telemarketing calls.

Bonta urged people to check the name, email and web address carefully to be certain you don't fall prey to a scammer posing as a real charity.

"Take, for example, the American Red Cross of California. Sounds good. But that's not the American Red Cross that we know and love," he said. "It sounds like the Red Cross, but that was actually the name of a now-defunct organization that our office ordered to 'cease and desist' back in 2019 for misleading donors."

Officials also advise consumers to be careful if asked to make a donation via text, QR code or portable credit card reader. Verify that the person asking truly represents a legitimate charity, get a receipt, and check your credit card statement right away to make sure you were charged the correct amount.


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Consumer watchdogs say Black Friday sales might have set records this year, as retailers offer deep discounts to get shoppers into their stores, and Cyber Monday could do the same.

For shoppers who are concerned about where these gifts were made, a new directory lists American-made products from more than 200 companies, and in every state. The latest poll shows consumers support buying them, to boost the economy and create more jobs.

Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, said the purpose of the "Made in America Holiday Gift Guide" is twofold.

"We have found that a lot of people don't know where to look for 'made in America' gifts, and having something that's curated makes that task a little bit easier," Paul explained. "We also want to celebrate the companies that are making things in America."

Five Indiana companies are included in this year's guide. Among those polled, 86% said they would purchase American-made items this holiday season if large retailers stocked them.

Paul sees America's renewed interest in the manufacturing sector as a positive for public policy and small businesses. The Small Business Administration said Indiana is home to nearly 14,000 small businesses within the manufacturing industry.

Cyber Monday has grown to reap billions in sales from online shoppers since it began in 2005. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce said Cyber Monday sales totaled almost $11 billion in 2021. However, hundreds of thousands of items posted on retail websites omit the origin of a product.

Paul argued an informed customer makes better choices, and online shopping should be more transparent.

"Even though, if you're shopping on a big website, there's no requirement that they post where that product is made," Paul pointed out. "Despite offering thousands of other details, in some cases, about that product."

In the poll, 81% of those surveyed would support a bill in Congress, known as the Country of Origin Online Labeling Act, which would require a product's country of origin and seller information be available to shoppers online. By law, only brick-and-mortar retailers must now provide such information.

It is Cyber Monday, which means you will likely find great deals on your holiday shopping but the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas cautioned it is also easy to fall victim to scams.

In 2022, people in North Carolina and throughout the country reported losing a staggering $8.8 billion to scams, with a significant portion stemming from online shopping fraud.

Meredith Radford, senior communications specialist for the Better Business Bureau of the Eastern Carolinas, said there are several ways to stay safe, starting with ensuring you are on a secure website.

"Any website that doesn't have that HTTPS, where the S stands for 'secure' at the end, means it's not a secure site, and that can be a red flag," Radford pointed out. "We also see a lot of scammers making fake versions of legitimate brands."

In addition to checking a website before entering personal information, she advised against clicking on unsolicited links. She also advised against purchasing items seemingly sold out everywhere else or at significantly lower prices than usual.

Radford warned shortages in electronics and toys may lead consumers to seek out unfamiliar websites. She emphasized the need for extra caution during this season to safeguard your money. She added once your money is lost, it may not be easy to get back.

"Unfortunately, there isn't always a ton that can be done to get your money back once it's gotten taken by a scammer," Radford noted. "Because a lot of times the scammers are overseas and so they don't fall under the jurisdiction of police or anything like that, so it's really just important to look out for yourself."

Other ways to exercise caution, according to Radford, include checking for authentic reviews and using credit cards to minimize the risk of losing money.