Opinion
Guest column: Use peer-to-peer mobile payment apps wisely
While the apps are a legitimate payment method, using them involves some risks that are greater than paying with a credit card.
Randy Hutchinson
Columnist
Randy Hutchinson is the President and CEO of the BBB of the Mid-South, serving 28 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He graduated from Western Maryland College and has an MBA from Wilmington College. He can be reached at rhutchinson@bbbmidsouth.org
There are 80 articles by Randy Hutchinson :
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May 2022
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Opinion
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July 2022
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Guest ColumnistsGuest column: Scams on the rise, with social media a heavy contributor
More than one in four people who reported to the Federal Trade Commission that they lost money in a scam in 2021 say it originated on social media, an 18-fold increase over 2017.
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August 2022
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Business Guest Column: Use caution before buying prescription drugs online
The FDA says you may be putting your personal and financial information at risk when you deal with unsafe online pharmacies.
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September 2022
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Guest Columnists Guest column: Buying now and paying later isn’t risk-free
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has opened an inquiry into Buy Now, Pay Later loans to determine if they require additional regulation.
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October 2022
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Buyer beware when shopping for cars online
If you’re buying it from an online-only dealer, be sure you understand the return and refund policy and that the dealer’s reputation indicates it will stand behind the policy.
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December 2022
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Consider a credit freeze after data breach
The Identity Theft Resource Center recommends that data breach notices explicitly recommend that victims freeze their credit and that credit reporting agencies create a common system for people to do so.
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Buy contact lenses from sellers who verify prescriptions
The FTC’s Contact Lens Rule requires prescribers to provide copies of prescriptions automatically — that is, the patient shouldn’t have to ask for it — and at no extra charge.
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January 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Vet charitable crowdfunding requests
“It’s best to give to a campaign organized by someone you know. If you don’t know the organizer, check out the story as best you can and gauge the amount of your donation against the risk it may not be true.”
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February 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Made in the USA isn’t always true
If it’s important to you that a product is truly made in the United States, research the reputation of the manufacturer or marketer making the claim, including with the BBB, to be sure they’re trustworthy.
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April 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: FBI warns about growing cryptocurrency scam
“Pig butchering” alludes to the practice of fattening up a hog before slaughter. The investment scam originated in Southeast Asia and spread worldwide during the pandemic.
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: FTC challenges more bogus COVID claims
“When there’s a medical breakthrough, you’re not going to hear about it first through an ad or sales pitch.”
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May 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Think carefully before cosigning a loan
Cosigning for a child with no credit record to buy a first car may be a good decision; cosigning a credit card for a delinquent brother-in-law not so much.
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June 2023
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Guest Columnists Advertisers being able to back up product claims is ‘bedrock principle’ of FTC law
The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to be skeptical of miracle health claims. Consult your doctor before trying any product that claims to prevent, treat, or cure a serious illness.
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July 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Protect kids from ‘Frankenstein Fraud’
Synthetic identity fraud is harder to prevent or detect than other forms of identity theft. Children’s SSNs are particularly vulnerable because they often aren’t monitored and the theft may not be detected for years.
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August 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Health apps may share sensitive information
The FTC recommends that users of health apps look for a privacy notice that explains in simple terms what information the app collects, how it’s used, and if it’s shared with third parties and how they use it.
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September 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Beware of credit-repair offers
If there’s an error in your credit report, you can do anything a credit repair company can do to fix it yourself at little to no cost. If you’re asked to pay an upfront fee for help, it’s likely a scam.
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October 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Student loan debt relief fraud is rampant
With 43 million Americans resuming payments as the COVID-related moratorium ends and President Biden forgiving as many student loans as he can under various relief programs, the situation is ripe for student loan debt relief fraud.
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December 2023
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Beware of AI scams
The Federal Trade Commission is concerned that consumers will be mesmerized by such terms as “machine learning” and “neural networks” and fall prey to crooks who misrepresent or outright lie about how AI is used in their products.
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: FTC cracks down on addiction recovery companies
“Doctors peddling phony promises should know that the FTC will use its strengthened authority from Congress to stop them from exploiting Americans struggling with addiction.”
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January 2024
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: ‘Check washing’ surges, can cost victim thousands
“Check washing” is a crime the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network says is surging despite the fact that the use of checks is declining.
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February 2024
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Ponzi schemes run gamut, from postal coupons to emu farms
Charles Ponzi gave his name to a type of investment scheme, but they were around before him and are with us still. Here are some red flags from the SEC and BBB.
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March 2024
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Be wary of get-rich-quick schemes
Even if you’ve determined a business opportunity is legitimate, be sure it’s right for you. Ask what you’d be selling or doing, how shoppers would find you, what your expenses would be and when you could expect to turn a profit.
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April 2024
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Poor password practices make hackers’ lives easier
Study after study show that 123456 is one of the most common passwords. Others in the top 10 include 12345678, qwerty (the first five letters on a keyboard), ********, 1q2w3e (check your keyboard to see why) and the word “password” itself.
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May 2024
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Beware of cash advance apps
Personal finance apps like Brigit may be new, but established consumer protection principles apply.
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June 2024
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Guest Columnists Hutchinson: Don’t trust your data won’t be misused online
Personal information collected in an app could be misused despite data broker’s promises and privacy policies, so businesses must be sure the benefit of using it is worth the risk.
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