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Gone phishing

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Scammers dangle bait for online shoppers

Editor’s Note: The coronavirus pandemic didn’t start the online shopping trend, but is certainly kicked it to the front of the line for many would-be purchasers. If you’ve become enamored of the ease of click and done, beware. Just as you love the immediacy of online shopping, fraudsters love the ease of tricking unsuspecting buyers, too. Avoiud being a victim with thes tips and advice from the Better Business Bureau (BBB):

This year, Amazon wasn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts for Prime Day in June. Walmart, Target, and Kohl’s, just to name a few, ran competing sales.

But more deals mean more chances for scammers to capitalize on the buzz and trick shoppers.

Whenever there’s a hot shopping season – be it end-of-summer deals, back-to-school or the holiday season – be wary of phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites.

Scams come in many forms

Below are some of the most frequent types of shopping scams reported to the Better Business Bureau:

  • Phishing scams. Phishing scams that appear to come from a popular retailer increase during busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. When you are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for a phishing scam posing as a big name store.
  • Messaging scams. Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information.

One recent phishing con claims to be Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account. This a ruse meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.

  • Advertising scams. Beware of false advertising and phony websites.

When searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look more closely at the URL, you’ll noticed that the domain name is slightly different (i.e., Instead of Popularstore.com, the URL might be PopvlarStore.com or PopularStoreOnline.com).

Always make sure websites use the correct spelling of a business name and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Also, use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably a con.

Tips to avoid online shopping scams

Nobody wants to believe they can be fooled by a scammer – but it happens to the best of us. Keep these tips in mind for safer shopping online:

  • Beware of fake lookalike websites: Check the URL, watch for bad grammar, research the age of the domain, search for contact information, and read online reviews.
  • Don’t trust the photos. Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer. Scammers often steal photos off other websites, so don’t believe what you see.
  • Make sure the website is secure. Look for the “https” in the URL (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or personal information into a website with only “http.” It is NOT secure.
  • Be wary of that ‘hot” deal. Be careful purchasing sought-after products. If something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great deal. Scammers often trick shoppers by offering the most popular products at low prices.
  • Pay with a credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up later, you will be able to contest them through your credit card company. Be very wary of any retailer that asks you to pay by digital wallet apps, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods.
For More Information

Learn more about avoiding scam social media ads when shopping online at https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads

Read about scammers’ tracking code tricks at: https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21097-scam-alert-tracking-code-trick-costs-online-shoppers

For more advice, read BBB’s tips on online shopping at: https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online.

If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker at: https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker

Subscribe to BBB Scam Alerts at https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1900156/1902645/ for weekly updates about new scams.