BBB of Greater Houston & South Texas

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*BBB Silver Sleuths*

The BBB and the Educational Foundation believe that consumer education is the best protection against deceptive business practices. Additionally, statistics indicate that senior citizens are often special targets for fraud because they are more trusting and less suspecting of the presence of fraud. For this reason, the BBB and the Educational Foundation have implemented an innovative volunteer program called the "Silver Sleuths" that helps Houston’s older adults identify and avoid fraudulent business practices. Because the BBB receives thousands of consumer calls and Internet inquiries each week, it is often the first to know about deceptive sales practices. Consequently, the BBB is in an excellent position to curtail fraud against older adults before it spreads throughout the Houston community.

Silver Sleuths are volunteers over the age of 55 working in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau to combat schemes targeting older adults. Sleuths are trained to monitor and identify fraudulent schemes and scams in their neighborhoods and report them to the Better Business Bureau for review. Volunteer Sleuths are also trained to listen for possible social service or health needs among other older adults in their neighborhoods.

Once an older adult signs up to become a Silver Sleuth, training is provided by BBB personnel to identify deceptive advertising and trade practices. Sleuths are given educational materials that describe the types of deceptive activities to identify. Sleuths also learn how to report and share this information with the BBB and their neighbors.

If you are interested in learning more about the Silver Sleuth Program, or if you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Barbara McGinity at bmcginity@bbbhou.org. Be sure to read about BBB Silver Sleuths volunteer positions.