Consumers are buying online in big numbers because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of people losing money in scams is up sharply too.
The Better Business Bureau says more than 80 percent of consumers reporting online scams in 2020 say they lost money. That's up from 71 percent five years ago.
"As more people continue to actively shop online in an effort to keep their families safe, BBB's new study shares how online purchase scams happen and their overall impact, who is targeted and how BBB can help people avoid losing money," says Warren King, president of the Better Business Bureau of Western PA. "This report also provides a timely reminder, as we recognize the risk of online purchase scams rises around the holidays with scammers paying close attention to the most popular items."
Too many people fall for enticing sale prices and the availability of hard-to-find products.
The BBB says online pet breeders and online pet retailers top the rip off list Breeders use fake local addresses. Retailers like Super Paws get complaints about purchases never delivered..
Good ways to avoid losing money are: don't buy on price alone, do your research before you buy, watch out for fake websites, and don't make a quick purchase on social media.
