Washington and Oregon credit unions are working together to tackle text-message scammers.

Credit unions in the region say they're seeing a sharp increase in complaints about fraudulent texts pretending to be from the regional financial institutions.

At the peak of the scam, one credit union fielded between 200 and 400 calls per day from people reporting it. Wendy Smith is chief risk officer for Columbia Credit Union, based in Vancouver.

"What we're seeing in 2023 is that they're targeting local financial institutions that are trusted, and we haven't seen that in the past," said Smith. "So, we really want to get that message out, because consumers might be caught off guard."

Losses from internet scams in general have been on the rise over the past five years.

In 2022, more than 800,000 complaints were filed, with total losses of more than $10 billion, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Smith said she has tips for how to avoid being defrauded by scammers.

"When in doubt, go straight to the source," said Smith. "Do not respond to the text message, and end the phone call. Visit your financial institution with the website that you are accustomed to putting into your browser, with your mobile app - or call their main phone number, or the phone number on the back of your card."

Smith said there are resources for people who have fallen victim to a scam.

"Contact their financial institution right away," said Smith. "Contact them directly and they will help secure your account and refund your money, and protect your financial assets."

You can also file complaints with your state attorney general's office, or with the Federal Trade Commission.




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Small Business Saturday has come and gone and the North Carolina Sustainable Business Council urged people to keep "shopping local" this season.

The council said supporting homegrown businesses creates jobs and makes communities healthier. One of those businesses is the Little River Pecan Farm, with 100 pecan trees on a 10-acre section of sixth-generation land.

Crissy Neville, the farm's owner, emphasized the need to support local growers. She said shopping at local farms and agro-tourism sites preserves family businesses, but can also benefit the environment.

"Shipping is not involved, trucking is not involved," Neville pointed out. "Essentially, you know, you're buying locally, and that's the best thing that you possibly could do for lowering your carbon footprint."

Neville cited the added benefit of knowing where your food comes from. Studies estimate processed food in the U.S. travels more than 1,300 miles, and produce may travel more than 1,500 miles before reaching the table if it is not grown locally.

Rebekah Miel, owner of Miel Creative Studio in Durham, works with nonprofits to help them amplify their work. She pointed out local businesses often help their communities in ways beyond offering their products or services.

"Small businesses donate 250% more to local nonprofits and community causes," Miel explained. "That is also exemplified in our business. Our 'Design to Give' model means we give at least 5% back to local nonprofits, 1% of which is to local environmental nonprofits."

Anne Shaw, state director for the Small Business Center Network, said there is nothing "small" about the power of small companies. Their overall contribution to the workforce is enormous.

"The 1 million small businesses that exist in North Carolina, they employ 1.8 million employees," Shaw emphasized. "Which represents about 44% of North Carolina employees."

Shaw added research also shows on average, a local retailer will recirculate about 48% of their revenue back into the local economy, compared to about 14% of revenue from a national chain.


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A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors.

Repayments began in October following a three-year pandemic-related pause. Since then, complaints of inaccurate bills, late notices and poor customer service have only increased.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said borrowers are struggling to reach loan service providers on the phone while more than 20,000 people received grossly incorrect bills.

"Now imagine opening your mail and seeing a bill for 100,000 dollars. This is ridiculous," Pressley asserted.

Pressley pointed out borrowers' financial situations are as precarious now as they were when the pandemic began and argued they deserve student debt relief. Critics countered American taxpayers should not be saddled with college loan debt they did not incur.

Officials with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said they are working to protect student loan borrowers from incompetent or predatory student loan servicers, including the more than 800,000 people who missed their first payment since the pause was lifted because their bills were mailed out too late.

Rohit Chopra, director of the bureau, said borrowers should be cautious, especially when talking to third-parties contracted by loan servicers for bill payments.

"If you're having trouble, please file a complaint," Chopra urged. "We're often able to get those individuals across the country fixes and sometimes clear answers on what really needs to happen."

The Supreme Court struck down President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan earlier this year, affecting more than 800,000 student borrowers in Massachusetts who would have been eligible to have some if not all their debt erased.


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Today is Giving Tuesday, a day when millions of Americans are expected to make charitable donations.

But it can also be a field day for scammers. Experts have tips on how to make sure your contribution ends up in the right hands.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says charities are required to file financial reports with the state's Department of Justice, so you can go online and check their registration status.

"You can use our registry: search tool@oag.ca.gov, under charities to ensure a charity is in good standing and is up to date with its financial reporting requirements," Bonta explained.

Consumers are urged to read those financial reports, to find out what percentage of their revenue is spent on the mission versus on staff and overhead. Experts also warn people not to fall for high-pressure tactics used on telemarketing calls.

Bonta urged people to check the name, email and web address carefully to be certain you don't fall prey to a scammer posing as a real charity.

"Take, for example, the American Red Cross of California. Sounds good. But that's not the American Red Cross that we know and love," he said. "It sounds like the Red Cross, but that was actually the name of a now-defunct organization that our office ordered to 'cease and desist' back in 2019 for misleading donors."

Officials also advise consumers to be careful if asked to make a donation via text, QR code or portable credit card reader. Verify that the person asking truly represents a legitimate charity, get a receipt, and check your credit card statement right away to make sure you were charged the correct amount.


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