BBB Scam Tracker has received more than 50 online purchase scam reports from consumers across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota since November 1, many of which were perpetrated on social media. The 2022 BBB Online Scams Report found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims.
Some of the most prevalent:
Products claiming to support charity. As one scrolls through Facebook or Instagram feed, they see an ad from a small business selling jewelry, t-shirts, or other merchandise; with some of the proceeds from the sale going to a charity that helps rescue animals, foster children, or support another worthy cause. Some consumers even report getting direct messages from sellers promoting the products and asking them to spread the word to friends and family. But the merchandise never gets delivered, it was a scam.
Free trial offers. Many misleading advertisements tout celebrity endorsements and promise a trial of the hottest new skincare or nutritional supplement for a minimal investment of shipping fees. Consumers report that once they agree to the terms and conditions of these offers, they realize they have agreed to multiple monthly shipments for products over $70-$100 each. Before signing up for a “limited time offers,” research the company online, see if there are any other consumer complaints, and read the terms and conditions you agree to carefully. Not being able to find terms and conditions is a big red flag.
Counterfeit merchandise: Name-brand goods are prime targets for unauthorized duplication, from sporting goods to designer apparel and handbags. Many of these "knock-off" items are poorly made and may violate environmental regulations, child-safety or other labor laws. Red flags for counterfeit items include items priced significantly lower than other retailers are charging, spelling and grammatical errors in the advertisements, and poor-quality images.
Apps of unknown origin. Beware "free" apps. By downloading a suspicious app, one opens up their device to unknown entities, and could also be signing up for recurring subscription fees. Victims report being charged fees as high as $99 every seven days. Before downloading any app, read the reviews. Also, read the app's description carefully and look for spelling and grammatical errors. Check that the developer's website is working and read the terms and conditions carefully.
One easy way to protect yourself from social media scams is to check BBB Scam Tracker to see if others have been duped. Search for previous complaints. Do a Google search of the business name followed by “complaints,” “reviews,” or “scam” and see what pops up. If you find this business has cheated other people, steer clear. When supporting charitable causes go to Give.org to research organizations before giving.