On Your Side: Better Business Bureau warns of patriotic scams this holiday week

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) – Better Business Bureau advises consumers to keep an eye out for scammers who might take advantage of the seasonal rise in patriotism this 4th of July.

“Scammers often play on consumers’ emotions during busy buying seasons,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO. “They might try to steal money by posing as a fake veterans’ charity or lure people in with a too-good-to-be-true deal on party supplies. Be careful with your money and personal information as you’re getting ready to celebrate this year.”

Patriotic donations: Some scammers will send phishing messages about fraudulent patriotic charity campaigns around the 4th of July. These messages look like they’re from real charities that benefit veterans or the military and use urgent, emotional language to trick consumers into handing over money or personal information.

BBB’s tips for donating safely:

• Start with a trusted source. If you’d like to donate to a patriotic cause this 4th of July, look for trusted nonprofits with BBB. You can visit Give.org to see a national list of BBB Accredited Charities focused on veterans and the military; at BBB.org, you can view charity evaluations and find local Accredited Charities serving veterans.
• Get the charity’s exact name. There are over 28 thousand veteran and military service organizations in the U.S. They’re easy to mix up – and not only that, but scammers sometimes impersonate well-known charities using a similar-sounding name to trick donors.
• Beware of high-pressure appeals. Legitimate nonprofits will be happy to accept your donation at your convenience. Beware of messages that pressure you to donate immediately. If you’re not sure about donating, wait.
• Protect your computer. If you receive an email asking you to donate online, go directly to the nonprofit’s website and don’t click any links in the email. Make sure the charity’s website is secure (its web address should begin with https://) and spelled correctly.

Shopping online for flags or decorations: Around the 4th, many people head online to buy American flags, decorations, and party supplies. Scammers might offer fake or non-existent products to get payment information or make a profit. They also impersonate real retailers with convincing-looking messages or websites.

Seasonal sales: While plenty of legitimate retailers offer big sales around the 4th of July, scammers may also take the opportunity to lure in unsuspecting buyers with too-good-to-be-true deals.

BBB’s shopping tips:

• Stick with familiar retailers. If you’d like to try a new store, you can check it out at BBB.org before you shop.
• Double-check the source. It’s easy for a fake site to mimic a well-known retailer’s website, so double-check the web address before you buy. If the website lacks contact information, that may be a red flag.
• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Websites and unsolicited emails or text messages may offer crazy good deals or giveaways. There’s probably a catch: The items may not exist or may not be as pictured online. You might get roped into a monthly subscription, or there could be hidden costs. Read the fine print.
• Shop with a credit card. It’s easier to dispute charges and get your money back if there is a problem.

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