CT Better Business Bureau warns consumers about iPhone scams

Thieves targeting new technology consumers

Wallingford, CT - September 22, 2008 – Connecticut BBB warns that some consumers who try to avoid long lineups to buy the latest high-tech devices are playing into the hands of crooks.

CT BBB President, Paulette Hotton Scarpetti says cheats rely on consumers’ impatience to buy the hottest technology.

“Some consumers turn to the Internet for what they believe will be either a good price or fast service, and in the end may end up with little more than regret to show for it.”

The most recent example of consumer rip-offs involving introduction of high tech devices is the iPhone.

Eager buyers trying to avoid lineups to buy the devices were cheated out of their money by scammers who set up phony web sites, posed as legitimate retailers and even posted ads on online social networking sites such as craigslist.com.

Typically, victims were asked to wire payment for the phone to the scammers, and of course, the iPhones never arrived. In one case, NYPD recently busted up a ring of thieves who posted ads online, and when would-be buyers came to pick up their “merchandise,” they were robbed.

Even people who bought their iPhones at legitimate dealers ended up with an expensive, though worthless piece of equipment when they paid online vendors for instructions on how to “unlock” their phones or purchased unapproved applications (Apps).

A legion of Web sites have cropped up, all promising to sell Apps at discounted prices. BBB strongly advises consumers to stay away from Web sites promising deals on Apps as these sites are most likely a ruse, set up only to take a consumer’s money and offering nothing in return, and could potentially be sites that install viruses or malware onto a user’s computer for identity theft purposes.

For more advice on how to avoid getting ripped off when going after the latest technology, visit the BBB web site.
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Founded in 1912, BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau
94 South Turnpike Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492
203-269-2700 ext 103

This release was published on openPR.