Holiday shoppers eager for deals are being warned to stay vigilant as scams spike alongside early Christmas shopping trends.
The Better Business Bureau of Texas reports a surge in counterfeit products being sold on obscure and unfamiliar shopping websites, often promoted on social media.
“There is a huge volume of online retailers that are out there using platforms that are legitimate,” Better Business Bureau of Texas spokesperson Jason Meza said.
The organization’s scam tracker has revealed that losses to fraud this year have already exceeded last year’s totals by more than $1 million.
Meza advised shoppers to research unfamiliar sellers, avoid impulse purchases on social media, and use secure payment methods to reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.
With online shopping at an all-time high, the BBB is urging consumers to exercise caution to ensure the holiday season is memorable for the right reasons.
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