Holiday online shopping scams expected to surge on Cyber Monday
Close behind Black Friday and Small Business Saturday is Cyber Monday, and it is prime time for high-risk online shopping scams. It is one of the top shopping days of the entire year, so people must be extra cautious online.
“Scammers will be out in full force Cyber Monday with devious tricks to cash in on your hard-earned money,” says Steve J. Bernas, Better Business Bureau (BBB) president and CEO. “The holiday rush has started. People are racing to get the best deals on the most sought-after products.”
“For crooks and con artists, this season is the most wonderful time of the year. Scammers love raking in bundles of money with minimal effort. They reel you in with copied photos, fake websites, and harmful links to capture your money,” he added.
Just exploring bad websites could cause problems
If you click a link on a scam website, you could download malware. Con artists capitalize on the fact that people are very busy with holiday preparations so they might not pay as much attention to internet safety.
BBB is calling attention to fraudster schemes so you can avoid giving scammers holiday presents. Ads for special online deals are everywhere, tempting consumers with great discounts. Scammers prey on online consumers, taking advantage of the hard-to-find items by creating fake websites and substandard products, offering them at “too good to be true” prices. Sometimes, what the customer orders is different from what they receive, and sometimes the company doesn’t send the product at all.
If you are shopping for a child this holiday season, don’t let scammers trick you into accidentally buying a fake (or nonexistent) version of a popular toy. You may see a pop-up ad, email, or text that takes you to a website that miraculously has the toy in stock. The site may look professional but, unfortunately, many such offers are fake.
BBB tips for a successful Cyber Monday
• Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company sells the hottest item of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Closely monitor the web address in your browser. Scammers love to create look-alike websites that appear to belong to a trusted retailer. Ensure that your site has an address, legitimate contact information and working customer service numbers.
• Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only. Be wary of businesses you aren’t familiar with. Check their BBB Business Profile at BBB.org, review the rating, and read customer reviews. In addition, be sure any webpage you purchase from has a secure web address beginning with “HTTPS,” not just “HTTP.”
• Keep your antivirus software up to date. Ensure you have antivirus software installed on your computer or mobile device and that it is current. This protection will help you avoid nonsecure websites and pop-up phishing scams.
• Price check before you buy. Dozens of online retailers will claim they have the best price on an item, but their offers can be misleading. Do your homework by comparing prices. Remember that the best deal may not be the real deal.
• Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs. Check your credit card rewards program for special point offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays.
• Use your credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If shady charges appear later, you can contest them through your credit card company.
• Understand return policies. Online store policies may change for Cyber Monday offers. Read the fine print before you buy. Understand the return or exchange policy for the item you want to purchase. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for “final sale” or “closeout” items. Be sure to get gift receipts so the recipient can return or exchange the item if necessary.
• Watch out for phishing scams. Busy schedules and increased purchases make it easier to miss — and fall into — a phishing scam. Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, calls, or letters. These messages may claim you have a gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with delivery — all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. Don’t do it!
• Look for the BBB Seal, the Sign of a Better Business. Shop with confidence and peace of mind, avoid scams, and make smart purchase decisions by choosing businesses that prioritize trust and ethics in the marketplace.