(Los Angeles, CA) – Scambook, the web’s leading complaint resolution platform, today released its Industry Report for Q3 2012. Based on a sample of more than 100,000 user-submitted complaints from July to September 2012, the Report describes how Scambook’s complaint resolution platform helped facilitate over $895,000 in consumer resolutions.
The Report also reveals the Top 3 Fraud Trends that most affected consumers in Q3 2012. They include:
1. Free Best Buy $1000 Gift Card Texts: A spam text message disguised as an official offer from Best Buy that attempts to gain the recipient’s private or financial information. Anyone who receives these texts is advised to ignore the message or report it to their cell phone service provider.
2. HCG Ultra: A diet supplement described by over 240 Scambook users as misleading, with alleged connections to phishing and social media hacking. Scambook users allege that they ordered the product after a friend emailed them or sent them a link via social networking sites, directing them to a commercial website designed to mimic a well-known news outlet. The users say they later discovered that the person who sent them the link had been hacked. Users are advised to ignore the ads for this product.
3. SurveyCruise.com: A telemarketing call that targets mobile phone users and tries to obtain personal information through a free cruise offer. Scambook users who attempt to redeem their cruise tickets report that they experience difficulty with the website and never receive their prize. Users are advised not to give out their personal information, such as credit card numbers, to any unsolicited caller. If the caller is representing a trustworthy company, Scambook recommends that consumers obtain the company’s information (such as the name and phone extension of a supervisor), then research the company and call back later if it proves legitimate.
The Scambook Q3 2012 Report also includes a detailed list of Warning Signs and General Consumer Safety Tips to protect users against scams and bad business practices. Consumers are encouraged to arm themselves with information as the best way to protect themselves.
The Scambook Q3 2012 Report is available as a free PDF download here: http://bit.ly/13xb1d4
ABOUT SCAMBOOK
Scambook is an online complaint resolution platform dedicated to obtaining justice for victims of fraud with unprecedented speed and accuracy. By building communities and providing resources on the latest scams, Scambook arms consumers with the up-to-date information they need to stay on top of emerging schemes. Since its inception, Scambook has resolved over $3 million in reported consumer damages. For more information, visit scambook.com.