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RALEIGH — Marketplace scams affect one in four households each year at an estimated loss to individuals and families of $50 billion, yet most consumers believe they are invulnerable. In an effort to help consumers of all ages remain informed, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina has expanded SCAMBUSTERS, an interactive game played in-person to help people recognize and avoid scams, to an online format that is free to use. Since its inception in 2017, SCAMBUSTERS has been presented to more than 5,000 people across the state, including 3,000 high school students. Consumers can access SCAMBUSTERS Remote by visiting scambustersremote.thinkific.com.

“SCAMBUSTERS is a great program that is both educational and fun when we are able to play it in person,” said Steve Fromme, executive director of BBB’s Educational Foundation. “We are thrilled that we were able to replicate that same level of excitement in an online format so that everyone can remain informed about the scams happening around them in a safe manner.”

Although it was originally designed with high school students in mind, the program has proven so versatile that it has been successfully presented to audiences ranging from middle schoolers to senior citizens. SCAMBUSTERS has also been adopted by other BBBs and is now being presented internationally.

For additional information on the program, contact Steve Fromme at sfromme@raleigh.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 4,000 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit bbb.org.