BBB INSTITUTE FOR MARKETPLACE TRUST

Research (bbb scam tracker risk report and marketplace challenges facing the military community ): bbb institute published two research reports in 2024. The bbb scam tracker risk report analyzes all scam reports submitted to bbb scam tracker in 2024, highlighting how scams are perpetrated, who is being targeted, which scams have the biggest impact, and more. Marketplace challenges facing the military community, published in partnership with the association of military banks of america (amba) and zelle, highlighted the unique marketplace challenges facing military consumers (service members, their families, and veterans).

Scam survivor day: on may 8, 2024, bbb institute and its partners marked the first scam survivor day to recognize those who report their scam experiences to warn others and help stop scammers. During an event held at amazon's hq2 office in arlington, va., fraud-fighting organizations came together to hear from scam survivors and discuss how to better meet their needs. Bbb institute plans to create a scam survivor day coalition in 2025.consumer education campaign with walmart (safe holiday shopping): bbb institute partnered with walmart to deliver a digital campaign to help people shop safely during the holidays (bbb.org/shopsmart). The campaign highlighted four key safety topics, including gift card scams, porch pirates, dishonest sellers, and fraudulent ads.military & veterans initiative: bbb institute introduced the military & veterans initiative (mvi), a virtual train-the trainer program made possible with support from zelle and developed with guidance from an advisory board of subject matter experts. Trainees included bbb community outreach professionals, credit counselors from the national foundation for credit counseling (nfcc), and accredited financial counselor professionals from the association for financial counseling & planning education. Mvi graduates deliver hands-on, interactive workshops to our veterans, service members, military spouses, and their families, empowering them with the tools and information they need to build sound financial futures. Bbb4good: seven bbbs currently offer the bbb4good program. The program enables purpose-driven businesses to become "bbb4good verified businesses" by vetting their social good activities with bbb. Bbb4good empowers consumers to identify businesses that reflect their values and allows purpose-driven businesses to stand out in the marketplace.outreach: the bbb institute team continues to speak and participate in events with strategic partners, enabling the organization to expand its reach to the general public, including vulnerable populations, about how scams are being perpetrated in the marketplace.