The Better Business Bureau warns consumers of rise in holiday scams

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers against holiday season scams as more people purchase gifts online.

According to a press release, roughly 3/4 of Americans will be purchasing this year’s holiday gifts online.

Although consumers should still be weary of porch pirates, they should also take precautions when making purchases on any online store.

Be on the lookout for these delivery scams:

• Text or email phishing: Messages that look like real notifications from official companies. These can include “tracking links” and claim that an item had difficulty being delivered.
• Fake “missed delivery” notifications: Someone will send a text claiming that a package couldn’t be delivered to your house.
• Porch Pirates: Thieves taking packages from doorsteps. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported that 1/4 of consumers had packages stolen, with the thefts being more common at single-family homes compared to apartments or condos.

Keep your gifts safe this year by keeping an eye out for these red flags.

Here are some tips to ensure your holiday packages are successfully delivered:

• Track your deliveries: Keep track of when and where you are expecting your packages. Your order’s provided tracking number will help you stay on top of its location.
• Know how your delivery will contact you: Avoid clicking links in texts and emails, especially if you never signed up to receive notifications in those methods. Be cautious and go directly to the retailer’s website.
• Double-check your delivery notifications: Look for signs of poor grammar, inaccurate company information or logos on any “missed delivery” messages.
• Request signatures: This would require someone inside the home to sign in order to accept any deliveries. It may cost an additional fee, but the service can be requested if you are expecting any expensive packages.
• Don’t leave packages on your doorstep: Unattended packages are targeted by porch pirates if they are easily visible and can be seen from a street.
• Schedule your deliveries: Try to have packages delivered when there is someone home to accept them.
• Utilize your security cameras: Use a security system or doorbell-activated camera to verify when your packages are delivered and deter thefts.

“This is a hectic time of year, but it’s still important to stay on top of your online orders and track them carefully,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO. “Knowing what scams to look out for can help you avoid any lost or stolen packages this year.”