GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — There's nothing like finding a deal when you're trying to cross people off your holiday shopping list—but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said you should make sure you're not falling for a scam.
The most popular items for scammers to target include anything going viral—like beauty products or Stanley cups—along with selling pets online, according to the BBB. Popular items that are often out-of-stock tend to be targeted as well.
The BBB reports their Scam Tracker saw a 125% increase in scams last year, something officials said was driven by these types of scams. About 80% of people who reported a scam ended up losing money.
“Be wary of any price that seems too good to be true, especially for name-brand items,” said Lisa Frohnapfel, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Western Michigan. “Only shop from sites you know and trust, or do your research on sites like BBB.org before you give anyone your money or payment information.”
The BBB said you should follow these tips to avoid scams:
- Research before you buy. Use BBB.org and shopper reviews to do your homework before paying. Also, read our tips for spotting phony reviews.
- If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. The risk of online purchase scams rises during the holidays because more people are making online purchases, and scammers offer the most popular products for the season at great prices.
- Beware of fake websites. Check the URL, watch for bad grammar, research the age of the domain, and search for contact information. See BBB’s tips for identifying a fake website.
- 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.
- Use secure and traceable transactions and payment methods. According to BBB's research, those who paid with a credit card were less likely to lose money. Be cautious when using digital wallet apps, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods. Learn more about payment types and how to use each safely.
- Read the fine print. Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off the purchase but could exclude certain deals or items such as “doorbusters.” Watch for companies boasting a high percentage off, the original price could be inflated. Carefully check the price tags, terms, and conditions.
- Know the return policy and warranty information. Gift receipts are an easy way for recipients to return or exchange a gift if it’s not just right, but make sure the item can be returned before purchasing. Some online stores may require customers to pay all return shipping costs or a restocking fee.
These issues regularly impact West Michiganders. The BBB shared a story of a Paw Paw woman who ordered weight loss gummies for $60 online, and her card kept getting repeatedly charged—with no way for her to contact the company.
Back in April, a Wayland woman trying to buy a puppy from a seller online was asked to purchase gift cards in exchange for the dog. After the woman shared the gift card information, hundreds of dollars in fees were added on, and the money was already taken from the gift cards when she attempted to cancel them.
If you fall victim to a scam, you can report it to the BBB here.
