Rutherford Weekly

Page 18 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, March 4-March 10, 2021 6 DAY FORECAST RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S For Up To The Minute Rutherford County Weather Go To rutherfordweekly.com 65 31 Sunny 58 34 Mostly Sunny 55 29 Partly Cloudy 57 28 Sunny 61 32 Sunny 65 38 Mostly Sunny THU MAR 4 FRI MAR 5 SAT MAR 6 SUN MAR 7 MON MAR 8 TUES MAR 9 ©Community First Media Community First Media www.duffi escopier.com www.duffi escopier.com 828-245-5116 828-245-5116 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 40 YEARS LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 40 YEARS SUPPLIES EQUIPMENT SERVICE PRINTED MATERIALS 671 Oak St., Forest City, NC 28043 BUY LOCAL • SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED DOLL ARS! BUY LOCAL • SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED DOLL ARS! 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Sailors advertising@rutherfordweekly.com advertising@rutherfordweekly.com RUTHERFORD WEEKLY 157 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043 Phone 828-248-1408 • Fax 828-245-7013 Visit us online at: rutherfordweekly.com If you're unable to get your regular copy of Rutherford Weekly, view it online at rutherfordweekly.com rutherfordweekly.com Our Our Digital Edition Digital Edition is is FREE! FREE! To receive a copy of each week's publication via email, To receive a copy of each week's publication via email, click on click on "subscribe to our weekly digital edition" "subscribe to our weekly digital edition" It's That Simple! It's That Simple! Our Online Version Same As The Printed Copy! Don't Miss This Week's Don't Miss This Week's RUTHERFORD RUTHERFORD WEEKLY WEEKLY Although the calendar says spring doesn't begin until March 20th, we have enjoyed some warm days and signs of spring are beginning to appear. Article Provided By: Pat Nanney Adults ages 18–24 reported the highest median losses ($150) and the highest likelihood of loss (56.6%) to BBB Scam TrackerSM in 2020, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Previously, older age groups consistently lost higher median dollar amounts to scammers year over year, even while young adults tended to lose money more often. This year, the fi nancial loss reported by those 18- 24 was equal to that of adults 65+. Online scams rise during COVID-19 pandemic: 2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report (BBB.org/RiskReport), focuses on the impact of scams in the wake of the pandemic and the demographic groups most at risk. More scams were perpetrated online and yielded the highest likelihood of fi nancial loss in 2020. This is likely connected to consumer habit shifts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; in a survey of over 5,000 individuals that reported scams to BBB Scam Tracker in 2020, 43.1% said they spent more time online due to the pandemic, and 57.1% said they purchased more online because of the pandemic. "Scammers go where they feel they can best take advantage of people," said Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, BBB's educational foundation, which produced the report. "Not surprisingly, scams perpetrated online through websites and social media apps were the riskiest contact methods for all age groups in 2020 – including both young adults as well as older adults." The risk of fi nancial loss also rose signifi cantly in 2020. Nearly one of every two reports to BBB Scam Tracker (46.7%) noted a fi nancial loss, with two- thirds of reports (64.7%) resulting in fi nancial loss being online purchase scams, which was the top riskiest scam in 2020. Online purchase scams were the most common scam reported to BBB, comprising 38.3% of all scam reports. Pet and PPE-related online purchase scams spiked during the pandemic. "Scammers are opportunists," said Trumpower. "If there is a shortage of a product, or an opportunity to leverage a person's heightened emotional state – they will use that scarcity or fear for their personal gain. Scammers will also imposter a recognizable and respected organization or brand to get your attention." Another way scammers take advantage of younger adults in particular is by utilizing a payment method less familiar to younger generations: checks. Fake check scams were the second most risky scam for adults ages 18-24 in a year where payment via online payment systems rose across all age groups. Fake check scams yielded one of the highest median dollar losses per encounter at $1,679 in 2020. "Scams aren't just a drain to people's wallets," Trumpower noted. "In our annual study of individuals that reported a scam to BBB Scam Tracker, a majority reported losing time and confi dence or peace of mind in the marketplace, with over one-third also losing personally identifi able information in the encounter. We share these insights to help fi ght fraud and promote a trustworthy marketplace for all." Adults 18-24 report highest scam risk in 2020 Online purchase scams become riskiest scam in the wake of COVID-19 Article Provided By: Juliana O'Rork

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