By Rod Davis, CEO, BBB serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean
As we head toward October 31, it is wise to remember that scary and dangerous things are not confined to Wilton Drive on Halloween night.
Apps: Proceed with Caution
An app can pose serious safety threats to people who downloaded it. Illegal, secret surveillance provided by the apps can make it easy for stalkers and abusers to monitor their potential targets and steal sensitive information about their physical movements, phone use, and online activities. For example, some of the products allowed the buyer to see the device’s live location and view the device user’s emails and video chats.
“SpyFone is a brazen brand name for a surveillance business that helped stalkers steal private information,” said Samuel Levine, Acting Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The stalkerware was hidden from device owners, but was fully exposed to hackers who exploited the company’s slipshod security. This case is an important reminder that surveillance-based businesses pose a significant threat to our safety and security. We will be aggressive about seeking surveillance bans when companies and their executives egregiously invade our privacy.”
Unfortunately, before the FTC takes action, many consumers are already at risk. Be smart before you consider downloading an app.
- Do you really need the app? Limiting the number of active apps on your device limits the chances for bad things to happen.
- Use apps that have been approved and are available in the Apple Store, Google Play or Amazon.
- Be wary of apps that seek to gain access to key parts of your device, operate in the background and disable safety or privacy protocols.
- Read reviews on the apps and pay special attention to issues that might indicate the app is creating safety issues or sharing data/information.
5. Stay away from “sound-alike” apps. Confirm that any app that you install is the legit app, since many scammers will attempt to fool you into downloading a similar sounding app.
Scary Moves
While Elaine’s dance moves on Seinfeld might be scary, a bad moving experience can be much worse. The BBB serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean closed 3,426 complaints for the moving industry in the first eight months of 2021, which is 83 more than the entire year of 2020. BBB complaints for this industry include complaints from moving brokers and full-service movers. The main reason for increased complaints is complaints associated with moving brokers.
Knowing the difference between a moving broker and a full-service mover can help consumers avoid a nightmare. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency regulating the moving industry, moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company.
A moving broker is not a mover. A broker does not assume responsibility for, and is not authorized to transport, your household goods. Brokers do not have moving trucks or professional movers. Brokers for interstate moves are required to use only movers that are registered with FMCSA.
A full-service mover will provide customers with an estimate for the move, schedule the move and pick up and deliver the household goods. Using a broker adds another business into the process and can create complications since the broker, not the consumer, picks the mover.
BBB also recommends that you clarify up front whether you are working with a broker or a full-service mover. Always check the license for the broker or full-service mover. If you are working with a broker, get the name and license of the moving company the brokers assigns to your move. Also, check the reports for all movers, brokers and moving companies before you sign the contract. If you see a pattern of price increases, late deliveries, or damaged goods, you might want to look at other options with a better track record. You can always use bbb.org to check out the reputation of a business.
Most moves are time sensitive. The broker or mover may set a target date for pick up and delivery, but read the contact carefully about the legal obligation for the move. Most contracts provide a window of anywhere from 3 to 10 days. Even in the best of circumstances, damage can happen to goods in transit. Each mover will provide basic coverage at 60 cents per pound, but this amount will not replace a TV or other expensive items. You can take some of the stress out of your move by taking full coverage to protect your goods.
Enjoy your Halloween.
