Ah, the holiday season. It’s the time for family, festive cheer, and… fake sales on social media? Online purchase scams are making a big splash in 2023, and not the good kind of splash like jumping into a pile of gift-wrapped presents. Let’s uncover what’s lurking behind those tempting deals and ensure your holidays are scam-free.
Online shopping scams skyrocketed in 2023, accounting for over 40% of complaints reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). With 80% of victims losing money, it’s crucial to stay sharp while scrolling through those holiday deals.
How It Works:
These scams often involve fake online stores or fraudulent sellers advertising unbelievable discounts. They may mimic reputable brands or set up entirely fake websites, complete with phony reviews, stolen product photos, and enticing discounts. The goal? Lure you into sharing your credit card details or paying for items that never arrive.
For instance, one victim was tricked into buying three pairs of popular HOKA shoes for $99 on Facebook—a deal too good to be true, as each pair usually retails for over $100. The shoes never arrived.
Who’s Targeted:
- Holiday shoppers looking for deals.
- People searching for out-of-stock items.
- Online users who click on ads without verifying the seller.
Real-Life Example:
A scam site posing as Ace Hardware lured shoppers with discounted tools but used a fake URL, “acehardwear.com,” to look legitimate. Buyers paid but never received their purchases.
Why You Should Care:
- Financial Losses: Victims lose hard-earned money, often with little chance of recovery.
- Personal Data Theft: Scam sites can steal your credit card or personal information for future fraud.
- Holiday Stress: Missing gifts can turn your holiday joy into frustration.
How to Protect Yourself
Actionable Steps:
- Research Retailers:
- Search for reviews or complaints using terms like “scam” or “fraud.”
- Verify the business’s address and phone number on Google Maps.
- Inspect URLs Carefully:
- Look for misspellings or subdomains like “netflix.com.movies.com.”
- Use tools like Google’s Safe Browsing checker to verify websites.
- Avoid Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals:
- Be skeptical of items priced far below retail value, especially on social media.
- Pay Smart:
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards for fraud protection.
- Never pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Check Policies:
- Legitimate sites have clear return and refund policies.
- Copy and paste policy text into search engines to check for duplicates.
Quick Tips & Updates
- Quick Tip #1: Look for the website's creation date using domain lookup tools. Scam sites are often newly created.
- Quick Tip #2: AVOID clicking on ads or links; instead, type trusted store URLs directly into your browser.
Don’t let scams steal your holiday spirit—or your hard-earned cash. By staying vigilant, verifying deals, and shopping smart, you can enjoy the season without surprises (unless they’re under the tree).
Stay safe, stay informed, and shop wisely this holiday season!
Keywords Defined:
- URL: The website’s address (e.g., www.example.com) that tells your browser where to find a webpage.
- Subdomain: A section of a URL that may precede the main domain (e.g., “movies” in “netflix.com.movies.com”).
- Phishing: A scam where fraudsters trick you into providing personal information, often through fake emails or websites.
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