BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust

Session 3 of the BBB Military & Veterans Initiative, sponsored by Zelle® in partnership with Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), featured guidance from the Veterans Benefits Administration about the VA Home Loan Program. This session and others prepare BBB community outreach professionals, as well as NFCC credit counselors and AFCPE’s Accredited Financial Counselors, to share knowledge and resources with their local military and veteran communities. Cheers to this inaugural cohort (nearly 30 strong!)

In our Oct issue, you’ll find partner guidance on PCS planning, absentee voting, and QR phishing (Quishing), as well as BBB resources on puppy scams and purchasing long-term care insurance. Read more below, and sign up to receive this monthly newsletter for our military, veterans, and their families at: BBB.org/SalutingTrust https://lnkd.in/eF74Cjja

Ever wonder who the people are whose images are being used in romance scams? They're here on this video, and they have a message for you. Thank you to our partner, Advocating Against Romance Scammers, for sharing this powerful project.

For #WorldRomanceScamPreventionDay, we're sharing an important reminder from what consumers reported to #BBBScamTracker in 2023: The percentage of romance scams reported with a monetary loss more than quadrupled from 2022 to 2023, with a median loss of $3,600. There are still people who haven't heard of romance scams. Let's keep talking about it and help prevent romance scams! https://lnkd.in/ek79pkrY Better Business Bureau Advocating Against Romance Scammers

Congratulations to FINRA Investor Education Foundation for a great conference on "Disrupting the Cycle of Financial Fraud." Thank you for inviting our Executive Director Melissa Lanning to moderate the panel on "Supporting Scam Victims & Survivors" as we are passionate about reducing the stigma around experiencing a scam. Kudos to panelists (as pictured) Kim Casci-Palangio, Dr. Trina Clayeux, and Amy Nofziger for their insightful contributions to this important topic. Christine Niles Kieffer Robert Mascio

If you've gotten a message about a fake Amazon order, don't click the link! Amazon has tips to identify these scams and stay safe: https://lnkd.in/eJqaaRwg

Congratulations to the 2024 graduates of BBB's Fighting Financial Fraud program! Funded by our partners at the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and led by Program Director Mark Batchelor, this program enabled these incredible professionals from Better Business Bureau markets across the country to increase their knowledge so they can provide greater financial fraud awareness guidance in their communities. Kudos to our graduates and thank you for your dedication to the people you serve! Robert Mascio Christine Niles Kieffer Rebecca Friend Caitlin Driscoll Erica Muñoz James Marin Janet Morante Jackie Ireland Katie Galan Mackenzie West Marcus Rasmussen Nakia M. Nicole Cordero Toddnetta Trice William Wirth Jennifer Hahnke Jason Blankenship Danielle Bass Darrellyn Bonstell

Catch this free BBB Forum on Corporate Responsibility taking place on 9/25! Register now at https://lnkd.in/ezMf4Q2y

Join us at the inaugural Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Americas - this important event is almost sold out!

Our Sept issue is packed with partner guidance on filing VA claims safely, recognizing fake SSA messages, as well as BBB tips on fake subscription renewal notices and the privacy risks of posting “back to school” social posts of children. Read more below, and sign up to receive this monthly newsletter for our military, veterans, and their families at: https://lnkd.in/exfQkBFQ Better Business Bureau https://lnkd.in/ewRfbtqf