In Northeast Ohio, the Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about business scams, with a recent incident at a Smoothie King on Mentor Avenue resulting in a loss of $492. The scam involved a caller pretending to be a police officer and convincing a young employee to send gift cards.
Similar incidents have occurred in other businesses in the area, including one in North Ridgeville through an email scam. The owner of the Smoothie King discovered the scam after about half an hour and tried to cancel the transaction, but it was too late.
The director of operations at the Better Business Bureau, Ericka Dilworth, emphasized that these scammers are targeting businesses that are already struggling financially and urged businesses to train their employees to be wary of suspicious communications and to always double-check requests for funds.
Dilworth also stressed the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any requests for funds before taking any action. Scammers are using various methods of communication such as phone calls, texts, and emails to trick businesses into sending money.
Although specific details about the Smoothie King scam were not available, Dilworth stated that this incident serves as a reminder for businesses to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with financial transactions. The Better Business Bureau continues to investigate these scams and advises businesses to report any suspicious activity.
