Better Business Bureau sees uptick in online shopping scams

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Santa’s not the only one keeping a naughty or nice list this year. The Better Business Bureau is tracking an uptick in online shopping scams and we’re all targets.

No doubt, it’s the season for scammers.

Heather Johnson lives in Ripley, Mississippi and said she’s seen it first-hand.

“It just seems like every time you turn around, somebody is trying to scam you,” said Johnson. “It’s frustrating.”

She says she was hit after responding to ads on social media for a new chair to put in her living room.

“Just thought this chair would be perfect to sit in and do my journaling,” said Johnson.

Turns out, the website she ordered from was fake. She said she waited and waited for the chair, but never got it.

“The picture is completely gone. I can’t even show anybody what the chair looks like,” said Johnson.

According to the Better Business Bureau, the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for online shopping fraud.

“A lot of things go on sale around the holidays, especially big-ticket items, so that’s kind of prime time for scammers to set up fake websites that sometimes mimic real stores,” said Daniel Irwin from the Better Business Bureau.

Some red flags to watch for include items offered at a deep discount – or prices too good to be true, multiple items offered for the price of one, long shipping windows, and unprofessional-looking webpages from unknown retailers.

“So, these fake websites stay open for weeks at a time, then they shut down and open under a different name, but you don’t have any recourse really,” said Irwin.

Making matters worse, Johnson’s bank account was hit not once – but twice when the scammers charged her a second time for the same chair again four weeks later.

The Better Business Bureau recommends paying online with your credit card versus a debit card to make it easier to dispute the charges if you’re scammed.

They also say to be cautious when paying an online seller through a third-party app.

“If there’s an option for you to cash app them or something like that, that’s a red flag,” said Irwin.

Last year, the BBB tracked almost 30,000 online shopping scams. That’s up 125% from the year before.

The purchases most often targeted are viral trends like tumblers and electronic gadgets, beauty products, puppies and rare pets like lizards and popular exercise shoes.

“Do not click on everything. It is clickbait,” said Johnson who told Action News 5 she learned her lesson. “From now on, I will definitely go and do my research.”

To report a scam or track the scams your neighbors may have been hit with, check out the scam tracker on the BBB’s website.

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