BBB Scam Tracker: How Consumers Report Fraud and Spot Emerging Scams

Each year, millions of consumers fall victim to deceptive schemes that erode trust and drain wallets. Breeanya Hinkel, Northern Arizona Director of Community Relations for BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California, points to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker as a free, user-driven platform that helps people report suspicious activity, spot emerging threats, and protect their communities.

By publishing real-world scam reports, Breeanya Hinkel notes, the tool helps everyday people make informed decisions and stay one step ahead of fraudsters.

What Is the BBB Scam Tracker?

The BBB Scam Tracker is an interactive online map and database where anyone can anonymously submit details of attempted or successful scams. Users can:

Report phone, email, and online scams in a few clicks
Browse recent reports by type and location
Identify patterns and warning signs in near real time

Operated by the Better Business Bureau, the tracker aggregates firsthand accounts from consumers across the country. Related guidance includes 10 steps to avoid scams and How to spot a BBB impostor.

How to Report and Search Scams

Breeanya Hinkel emphasizes that reporting through Scam Tracker takes minutes and does not require personal information beyond what you choose to share about the incident. Contributors select a category—such as imposter fraud, investment scams, or romance scams—add a brief description, and mark the date and location.

Once submitted, the entry can appear on the interactive map. Visitors can:

Filter incidents by city, state, or scam type
Read anonymized summaries of consumer experiences
Identify clusters of similar reports that may signal organized schemes

Search businesses and ratings separately at BBB.org. Marketplace disputes with a company are different from scam reports; those may be filed at File a Complaint.

Learning From Real-World Reports

Behind every pinpoint on the map is a story of how fraudsters adapt. Recent public education from BBB highlights themes such as unexpected calls demanding payment, bogus tech-support pop-ups, counterfeit online marketplaces, and messages that impersonate trusted brands—including BBB itself.

Breeanya Hinkel says these firsthand accounts show how scammers:

Leverage urgency to bypass critical thinking
Exploit trusted brands and familiar channels
Mask location or identity to avoid detection

Awareness of those tactics helps consumers recognize red flags before money or data is lost. For shopping and research habits that reduce risk, see How to research any business before you buy and 6 things to look for when buying online.

Tips to Protect Yourself

Armed with Scam Tracker reports, Breeanya Hinkel recommends strengthening everyday defenses:

Verify unsolicited requests. Hang up and call known, official numbers—not the number in the message.
Watch for pressure tactics. Scammers often demand immediate payment or threaten legal action.
Research unfamiliar companies. Seek reviews and BBB Accreditation before you transact.
Secure personal data. Do not share Social Security numbers, bank details, one-time codes, or passwords with unexpected contacts.
Keep software and devices updated. Patches close loopholes fraudsters exploit.
Avoid gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards for unknown sellers.

In urgent cases such as identity theft or financial fraud, also notify local law enforcement, your financial institution, and the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Find your bureau via the BBB Directory.

Closing From Breeanya Hinkel

Breeanya Hinkel underscores that Scam Tracker works only when people use it. Report what you see, search before you send money, and share official BBB resources with neighbors and local businesses. That combination—consumer reports plus cautious habits—reduces risk for the whole community.

About the author
Breeanya Hinkel is Northern Arizona Director of Community Relations for Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California. Based in Prescott, she works with local businesses, nonprofits, and consumers to advance ethical practices and marketplace trust. Appointment announcement: Better Business Bureau welcomes Prescott local Breeanya Hinkel.