Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2024 BBB Scam Alert: Don’t get played during the Summer Games! T he Olympics are upon us, and many eyes are on Paris and the athletes representing their countries. Amidst all the distractions, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers and businesses to be alert for potential scams, some of which were reported to BBB Scam Tracker in previous Olympic Games, as well as laws surrounding fair use of logos, trademarks and copyrights. Ads for merchandise, text alerts for watching events, and even job opportunities are all potential sources that scammers might use to prey upon unsuspecting consumers. Businesses also need to be aware of bad actors and copyright violators who might try to use the excitement to pitch ripped-off gear. Types of scams to expect: • Phishing texts and emails: You might get a text with a great offer for gear that sounds like it’s from a legitimate seller, or a link to view a certain event. Spot the red flags of fake text messages and never click on a link without first determining who it is from. Visit the company site directly or go to the offi cial Olympics website to learn the event schedule. • Job scams: Prior to the Olympics in 2022, college students saw emails for jobs sent to their school email, asking them to drive around with Olympics ads wrapped on their vehicles. BBB Scam Tracker received a report that said, “I got an email saying that NBC was looking for people to drive 100 miles or more weekly (basically any normal route you would take) with the decal of the ‘2022 Winter Olympics’ on their vehicles.” Naturally, it was a scam. • Counterfeit merchandise: You will likely see merchandise ads during the Games with logos on them; resist the temptation to buy fake gear or collectors’ items that could be knockoff s and only purchase items from offi cial sellers. Check out BBB’s advice for buying sports merchandise. • Fake sports streaming links: Similar to the way in which scammers post fake streaming links for other sports contests, like high school football, you might see links to stream the Games in the comments on social media posts. Only use the official links, and do not fall for those fraudsters who are out to get your personal information. A word of caution for business owners: In addition, businesses need to be aware of the copyright and trademark laws that surround the Olympics: • Educate yourself. Be aware of the ways in which the words “Olympics” and logos are protected trademarks. Educate yourself on the ways in which hashtags and social media posts can and can’t be used, and avoid sales and promotions that misuse the protected logos and terms. • Follow proper procedures. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) outlines the Olympic Properties owned by IOC and how they can and cannot be used. You must make a formal request in order to use them via a form. Resources for more information: Learn how to identify scammers at https://www.bbb. org/all/spot-a-scam. See a scam? Report it to BBB at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker. ~ OP-ED ~ Country over self By Juan Pablo Jaramillo T he Biden-Harris administration has been the most pro-worker administration in the history of our country. President Biden has served our country diligently and has fought hard for working families. His decision to drop out of his reelection bid is shocking, but his legacy as a proworking-class president will be hard to match. The president’s self-awareness around the critical moment we are in for our Democracy will place him as one of the most principled presidents as it relates to domestic policy and a standard bearer for the American Republic the likes we have not seen since Abraham Lincoln. Simultaneously, the President’s domestic policy legacy in addition to helping save American Democracy has signifi cantly improved the material well-being of working families. While he is stepping away from electoral politics, the Biden-Harris administration brought us back from being overwhelmed by a global pandemic that cost millions of lives at home and abroad, the brink of an economic depression and into the strongest job growth our country has experienced in decades and increase in union membership which in turn has improved the economic wellbeing of millions. Further this administration has paved a clear path toward fighting for coastal communities like ours by earnestly addressing the climate crisis. Thanks to their work communities like ours are better prepared for increased fl ooding, droughts, and property damage due to extreme weather events that are happening more and more frequently. The job of saving Democracy, however, is ongoing and we can always deliver more for working families by lowering housing and child care costs, making more investments in our public infrastructure, including public safety and disaster relief, and securing a future with clean air and clean drinking water. Vice President Kamala Harris is the right person to carry on the mantle for all the things that matter to working-class people in Revere. We know of OP_ED | SEE Page 9
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