(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Parents, beware: the Internet is filled with bogus back-to-school merchandise offers.
“With more students returning for in-person classes, the demand for merchandise will be high, leading to possible shortages and greater potential for online shopping scams,” Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois, said in a news release Tuesday.
The National Retail Federation anticipates shoppers will spend an average of $850 per family.
Sneakers, backpacks, and technology equipment are among the items where shortages will be seen, the BBB said.
“As we know, scammers follow the headlines,” Bernas warned.
He advises parents not to fall for pop-up ads they see on social media and to use caution before responding to offers they find online. They may lead to fake websites.
“Savvy online shopping is a must,” Bernas said.
Stick with familiar retailers, he said, while closely examining the website to verify that they are who they say they are.
For more online shopping tips, visit bbb.org. Report scam activity to the BBB Scam Tracker (BBB.org/scamtracker).
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