Even though the idea of cell phones emitting dangerous radiation is still being studied and is open to debate, this notion has spawned its own scams that take advantage of worried consumers.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning people to be on the lookout for scammers selling shields that supposedly protect cell phone users from cancer caused by waves emitting from their phones.

“This is unproven technology guarding against an unproven danger,” said Kim States, BBB President.  “Instead of spending money on questionable products, we recommend consumers turn to free options if they are concerned about cell phone electromagnetic emissions.”

States also noted that the Federal Trade Commission also stated that these shields may interfere with cell phone reception.

BBB advises consumers to consider these free options for limiting cell phone electromagnetic emissions:

• Go hands free. When chatting on the phone for long periods of time consider using a hands-free device, like an earpiece or the speakerphone. For short conversations, texting the message allows for a quick response and keeps the phone away from your head.

• Wait for a good signal. When you have a weak signal, your phone works harder, emitting more radiation. Phones also give off more radiation when transmitting than when receiving, so tilt the phone away from your head when you’re talking, and bring it back to your ear when you’re listening.

• Shop around. When looking for a new cell phone, consider investing in one that has a low specific absorption rate (SAR) before you buy. Measured in watts per kilogram of tissue, the SAR reveals how much radiation the body absorbs while using the mobile device. The Federal Communications Commission has record of this information for phones that were made in the last two years. You can find the FCC ID number on the inside of your cell phone’s case. Legally, in the US, a phone can’t emit more than 1.6 watts per kilogram.

For more consumer tips, visit www.tucson.bbb.org

As University of Arizona students prepare to head back to campus, fighting fraud may not be at the top of their list of priorities. Students are susceptible to identity theft, however, and Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recommends that they take eight steps to protect themselves on campus.

“Identity thieves don’t care if you’re a struggling student and don’t have a penny to your name,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Sometimes all they want is to exploit your clean credit record. By establishing good habits for monitoring and detecting fraud, students can lay a path for healthy financial practices for the rest of their lives.”

Last year, 11.6 million American adults became victims of ID theft- and increase of 13 percent compared to 2010- with losses totaling $37 billion, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research.

Young adults aged 18-24 are among the last to detect identity theft when compared to other age groups. It took them 132 days on average to spot it, and their average loss was roughly five times more than the amount lost by other age groups.

BBB recommends that college-bound students take the following seven steps to fight identity theft on campus:

• Update your smartphone’s operating system, and protect your home screen with a password. Javelin Strategy found that 7 percent of smartphone owners were victims of identity fraud in 2011. Students should keep their operating systems updated to prevent hackers from accessing their devices remotely, and password-protect their home screens to prevent prying eyes in the event they lose their device.
• Send sensitive mail to your parents’ home or a post office box. School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment.
• Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport and bank and credit card statements. Shred credit card offers and any paper documents that have sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out.
• Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone. Just say no if your friend wants to borrow your card or asks you to co-sign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.
• Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus and spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from any new advances by identity thieves online.
• Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you’ll suffer in the long run.
• Check out unfamiliar websites with the BBB. Look for the BBB Accredited Business seal along with other trust seals; click on the seals to confirm that they are legitimate.
• Check your credit report at least once a year. You are entitled to one free report a year from each of the three reporting bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Look for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

For more advice on fighting fraud and managing personal finances, visit www.tucson.bbb.org or call (520)888-6161.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning consumers about scams related to the passing of former Apple CEO, Steve Jobs. Many of the scams claim that consumers are eligible to receive free Apple products.

Within hours of Jobs’ death, scammers began announcing that companies were giving away free Apple products ‘in memory of Steve Jobs’, and it’s just the beginning, warns BBB.

In a recent Facebook scam, the announcement read: “In memory of Steve, our company is giving away 50 iPads. R.I.P. Steve Jobs”. The ad instructed people to click on a link to get a free iPad. After clicking on the link, users were asked to complete an online survey that required personal information, an action that often leads to identity theft.

Scammers use fake product offers to get you to click on the links they contain for several purposes:

1. To infect your computer with malware in order to obtain your personal information to steal your identity.
2. To drive traffic to certain websites that pay the scammer a commission for every survey completed, every product purchased, and/or every account compromised.

“Past experience tells us that con artists will invent more Steve Jobs offers, including fraudulent (more…)