BBB releases list of top 10 scams of 2012 - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

The Better Business Bureau always takes a look back at the previous year, and compiles its top 10 scams list.

According to the I-Team, the list are schemes that have been around as long as the BBB, 100 years. The only thing different is the technology.

This list is made up of what the BBB calls their "most audacious, the most egregious" scams of last year.  They are scams that hurt many people, and seem to be more prevalent even as consumers get savvier.

The top scam of the year is the Newtown, Connecticut charity scams.  Within hours of the deaths of these school children, folks were asking for money for victims' families. The FBI has already made an arrest.  Here's some advice: stick with legitimate, well-known charities.
 
The same advice applies for fending off  the Hurricane Sandy storm chaser scam. This one pops up after a tragedy to fix your roof, or remove trees.

Two others are the mystery shopping and car ad scams.  They have different target audiences, but they both fall under the heading of fake check scam.  Ultimately you are sent a big check from some employer you met over the internet to shop, test out customer service or to drive a car with a logo on it.

When you get paid you're overpaid and asked to return some of the money through Western Union. All along it's a bad check, and you're on the hook for it when the bank figures it out.

When it comes to sweepstakes or lottery scams, especially ones claiming you won a big overseas lottery, you have to ask yourself a question: Did you play?

And what about the emergency scam? It's the one where someone you know – a friend or family member – has an emergency overseas and their wallet has been stolen. Did they go to London and not tell you – probably not.

Finally, despite what lands in your inbox, the president is not going to pay your utility bill -- ever.

To view the BBB's list of the Top Ten Scams of 2012, click here!