Watch out for fraud when shopping for Christmas – Newstalk KZRG

(BBB) ​​– Holiday shopping is closer than you might think! With Thanksgiving on November 28th – quickly followed by Black Friday sales – the shopping season appears to be shorter this year. Stores are likely to promote deals well in advance of Black Friday and extend store hours to maximize shopping days.

Read more below or hear from Pamela Hernandez, Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau:

Deloitte predicts holiday retail sales will rise 2.3 to 3.3 percent this year, totaling up to $1.59 trillion. They also predict a 7% to 9% increase in holiday e-commerce sales – and with more online shopping comes scams. Online shopping scams accounted for 41% of all reports to BBB Scam Tracker in 2023.

To ensure your 2024 holiday shopping is safe and successful, BBB recommends making a shopping plan early and researching retailers before purchasing.

The holidays are busy, but there's always time to stop and think before making a purchase. Remember that the cheapest offer or the best search result may not be the safest choice.

BBB's Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping:

• Do your research before purchasing. Use BBB.org and customer reviews to learn the company's track record, any complaints, and BBB accreditation. Don't rush – take your time and read the fine print before placing an order.
• Look for the BBB seal. BBB Accredited Businesses are committed to adhering to BBB standards of trust and dealing fairly with consumers. If a company has the seal, search for the company on BBB.org to make sure it is BBB accredited.
• Be careful when purchasing hot items. especially on social media. Scammers often offer the most popular products of the season at particularly low prices. Don't be tempted to use an unknown or unsafe website just to get a good deal. If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• Beware of fake websites. When shopping on a new site, check the spelling of the URL, look for incorrect grammar, and check the contact information for a physical address and phone number. Read BBB's tips for identifying a fake website. Be careful if you receive a “card declined” message when making a purchase. It could be part of a new variant of card theft.
• Professional photos do not mean that it is a real offer. Don't be swayed by a flashy website or ad. Professional-looking product images can be stolen from other sources, manipulated by editing software, or generated by AI.
• Make sure the website is secure. Before entering payment information on a website, make sure the URL contains “https” (the “s” stands for “secure”) and that there is a small lock icon next to the address bar.
• Use secure and traceable payment methods. BBB research shows that those who paid by credit card were less likely to lose money. When you pay with credit, it's easier to dispute a transaction if something goes wrong. Be careful when using digital wallet apps, prepaid cash cards, or other non-traditional payment methods.
• Know the store policies. Store policies may vary for temporary pop-up shops or holiday shopping. Check the store's return policy and see if they offer a money-back guarantee or store credit. Check whether the product you purchased is covered by a warranty.
• Report unsatisfactory experiences to BBB. If you are dissatisfied with a purchase, file a complaint with BBB.org. If you never received what you paid for, you should report it to the BBB Scam Tracker to inform and protect other buyers.