Page 16 Better Business Bureau T actics used by scammers have shifted drastically during the past several years, with scams being perpetrated online rising 87% since 2015, according to a new report published by the Better Business Bureau. During the same period, scams perpetrated by phone dropped by 42%. The new report, Start With Trust® Online: BBB Online Scams Report, analyzes the changes in how scams are being perpetrated, including new information about impersonation and online purchase scams. This research paper is based on two sets of data: 1) An analysis of more than 300,000 reports submitted to BBB Scam TrackerSM between 2015 and 2022, and 2) survey research conducted in July 2022. “The methods scammers use to target consumers have shifted signifi cantly since BBB began collecting scam reports from the public in 2015,” said Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, which produced the report. “The shift in scam tactics is driven by a range of factors such as the rise of social media, world events, and changes in consumer behavTHE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022 LAWSUIT | FROM Page 14 reports Online Scams have risen 87% since 2015 ior. Our latest fi ndings reinforce the guidance we’ve been giving consumers to help them stay updated on these tactics to avoid losing money to scams.” All scam types perpetrated online So far in 2022, scams perpetrated online are more prevalent (55%) than other delivery methods, with a higher percentage of people losing money when targeted (75%). When breaking out scams perpetrated via phone with a monetary loss, scams perpetrated via text message rose from 11% in 2015 to 30% in 2022. Scams perpetrated via text had a median dollar loss of $800 in 2022, higher than other reported means of contact. Text messaging was the most reported offl ine method used to push people online. “Carrots” appear to be riskier than “sticks,” according to our survey research. About 70% of respondents said they continued the online engagement because they hoped to gain something, sell something, or were curious to learn more. That’s compared to ELECTION | SEE Page 20 city ads to the newspaper that was criticizing him on nearly a weekly basis. “Can we agree that you’ve been angry at the mayor because you held him responsible for advertising revenue not coming into the coff ers of the paper?” asked the attorney. “That’s a valid statement,” replied Resnek. Resnek further claimed that the mayor forced a major advertiser from advertising with the Leader Herald but refused to reveal the name of the advertiser or any other advertiser. The Leader Herald reporter was asked for his defi nition of extortion, Resnek replied that it is when “one thing is withheld from someone else to give someone else an advantage.” When asked if he knew if stealing was a crime, Resnek replied, “I would not consider stealing in some respects a crime.” When asked if he knew extortion was a crime, Resnek replied, “I would say, in some respects, that the use of the word ‘extortion’ to connote the interaction between people is not a crime.” Resnek was then asked to look at the article he wrote in which he stated, “We won’t be intimidated or extorted here by the mayor” – “you were saying he was trying to extort you, correct?” – to which Resnek “Do you have any evidence that he’s (mayor) ever taken a kickback?” asked the attorney. “Do I have any evidence that he’s taken a kickback?” replied, Resnek, adding. “No, I don't.” – Attorney questioning Josh Resnek in Carlo DeMaria, Jr. Defamation Lawsuit vs Leader-Herald, Matthew Philbin and Andrew Philbin, Sr. dismissively replied, “Water off a duck’s tail,” claiming that it wasn’t his words and that he wasn’t prosecuting the mayor. The attorneys then delved into a Sept. 6, 2021, redacted email thread between Resnek and Philbin where Philbin complained that the Everett Co-Operative Bank had stopped advertising and blamed the mayor. Resnek was then asked if he contacted anyone at the bank to fi nd out why the ad was pulled; he stated he did not. “Did you make any eff ort, sir, to ascertain from anybody at the Everett Cooperative Bank whether or not Mr. DeMaria had intervened to get the bank to not provide money to your newspaper?” “I did not,” replied Resnek. He was then asked why he stated in the email thread that the Everett Co-Operative Bank was not advertising in the Leader Herald because the bank was somehow connected to the city putting money in the bank interest free. Resnek replied that’s what he believed to be true. Resnek was then asked if he spoke to anybody at the bank or City Hall about if the allegation was true. “Did you ask to look at any public records refl ecting the holdings of city money in various banks to see what the interest rate was?” asked Robbins. “No, I didn't,” replied Resnek. Resnek was then shown a list of fi nancial institutions, all public record, in which the City of Everett has money deposited: 10 accounts, all showing interest that is paid. “Did you do any investigation to ascertain whether or not there was a single account at Everett Cooperative Bank where city money was held which was interest free?” asked Robbins. Resnek claimed he was told by a variety of sources – sources which he refused to name. Resnek gave another deposition on Thursday and is scheduled for another at a later date.
17 Publizr Home