The Better Business Bureau’s annual risk reports shows online purchase scams continue to be the riskiest scam type for the third year in a row. And as Mother’s Day fast approaches, they are reminding shoppers to use caution when shopping online. Scammers they say, can easily draw in consumers with flashy ads and the promise of a great deal. Here’s Katie Grevious, Marketing and Communications Manager with the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan.
“And what we’re actually seeing in West Michigan is a lot of people clicking on those targeted adds on social media, that look like legit stores or maybe stores they’ve heard of, but not doing their homework and finding out they’re actually buying maybe counterfeit products or shopping on a website that’s not legitimate and then they’re not getting those things in time for Mother’s Day.”
Grevious says some tips to help you avoid those Mother’s Day gift scams include doing your research on websites, make sure they’re legitimate. Make sure the websites you use are secure and if buying gift cards, you understand the terms and conditions.
” That’s why when it comes to things like gift cards, jewelry, electronics, flowers, we really encourage you to go to a local place you know and you’ve seen their brick and mortar store rather than doing it online, because anyone can sell anything on line or say or that they’re going to make the delivery on time or that the jewelry is authentic.”
Grevious adds you can head to BBB.org to find out if a business is legit. And if you do have a problem or get scammed, you can report it at bbb.org/scamtracker.
