Many people are doing their Christmas shopping online to avoid packed malls, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning about cyber Grinches determined to make your holidays a little less merry.
Fraudulent websites aren’t new, but the BBB says their numbers are increasing.
Popular retail site Overstock.com is a popular target, with fraudsters creating similar domain names to trick shoppers into handing over their money.
“Fraudsters are using clever tricks such as slight misspellings of domain names or realistic graphics to easily deceive viewers,” warns the BBB’s Sandra Crozier-McKee.
READ MORE: Online shoppers protected from late deliveries
“During the holidays people get caught up in the hunt for the perfect gift or are in a rush to finish their shopping, which makes it easy to overlook important warning signs. If you are suspicious of a website, check with the BBB before making your purchases.”
The BBB has the following tips for online shoppers:
- Go to bbb.org to look up the BBB Business Reviews of your favorite online retailers.
- Type the URL directly into your browser, do not click on a link from an email or social media site unless you are absolutely sure the message is from the legitimate business.
- On the payment page, look for “https” at the beginning of the address (the “s” stands for “secure”).
- Look for “Contact Us” information including a real address, a toll-free customer service number, and other ways to reach the company if you have a problem.
- Use a credit card (not a debit card) when shopping online for greater protections against possible fraud.
- If a website has a BBB Accredited Business seal, click on it. A real seal should link directly to that company’s BBB Business Review at bbb.org.
Comments