The ads on social media show expensive products like electric scooters, designer bags, and other popular toys and gifts at unbelievably low prices. Many of these bogus sites use photos and logos the scammers steal from legitimate businesses, but they won’t send you authentic products.
Scams are prevalent throughout the year, but as we inch towards the gift-giving holidays, it's advised to be more aware of such fraudulent behavior.
If you receive an odd text? Delete it. If you receive a phone call from an unknown number? Don't answer it. If you're communicating with someone and have never met face to face? Do not send them money or gift cards.
That's the advice of experts like Minnesota Commerce Assistant Commissioner of Enforcement Jacqueline Olson.
"I think a lot of it is slowing down and doing your research," says Olson. "If you're buying gifts online, you want to make sure that you should look for the website with an https website, which is a secure website."
Olson says another thing to mindful of is people trying to play off your emotions.
If you’re wondering how to avoid these phony offers, there are a few ways to help you detect them.
To protect yourself while shopping online:
Do some research. Especially before you buy from an unfamiliar seller, search online for the name of the seller plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what others say about their experience with the seller.
Check the terms of the sale. Look at the price, other charges, their refund policy, who pays for return shipping, and if there’s a restocking fee.
Pay by credit card, whenever possible. Credit cards offer more protections, and give you the option to dispute charges if what you get isn’t what you ordered, or you get nothing at all.
Never buy from online sellers who demand you pay with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Only scammers tell you to pay that way.
Did you have a problem while shopping online? First, contact the seller and try to work it out. If that doesn't work, contact the company you used to make the payment to dispute the charges. If they can’t help, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.