Scammers will do everything in their power to ruin your day and take advantage of you. Scams often result in you losing money you can’t get back, and even more serious, having your identity stolen. Experiencing this devastating misfortune is a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor.
#1. Top of the list and probably THE most important. USE RELIABLE PAYMENT METHODS. In a study conducted by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), people who pay with credit cards while shopping online are less likely to lose money and according to Liz Lasher, VP of portfolio marketing for fraud at FICO, credit cards offer the best fraud protection for shopping online. In an age when more and more people order gifts and shop online instead of going to stores to pick them up, it's easier than ever for vendors or malicious websites to trick stressed-out consumers into paying for something they won't receive or steal their credit card information. If the vendor requests payment via cash transfer apps (such as Venmo or Cash App), prepaid money cards, or another non-traditional method, proceed with caution. Always shop with a credit card or secure and traceable payment method such as PayPal. (Check your credit card contract’s fine print to see what kind of fraud protection you will get.) And, paying with a debit card can make it much more difficult for you to get your money back.
#2. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN CLICKING ON ADS. Advertisements for that perfect gift that you’ve been looking for may lead you to a fraudulent website where your information could be compromised, one with malware, or one that sells fake products. I always look over the ad for a business name or website address. If it seems all too suspicious, I will Google the company to visit the site to see if my suspicions are correct.
#3. MAKE SURE YOU DOCUMENT ALL THE TRACKING INFORMATION CAREFULLY. Prior to completing your order, make sure you have explicit contact information. Company name, phone number, email address, and definitely make sure you jot down the tracking number. I can hear you say, won’t the tracking number be on the confirmation email they send me? Sure, it will, and if you have purchased an item through some sort of scammers site, where is that confirmation email and tracking number now? One common scam, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is for scammers to send a text saying you have a package waiting for you. Often, the text will tell you that you must log in to arrange delivery and include a link to a website where you can be tricked into divulging personal information such as passwords, account numbers, or Social Security Numbers.
There’s a good chance that if is real if you recognize the company’s name and have recently purchased from them. In case you have questions, you can copy the tracking number from the text or email confirming shipment and paste it directly into the search engine on the shipping company’s website. Avoiding clicking on any links is typically the safest option. Also, you are familiar with USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. These are all common delivery services in the US. Check to make sure your tracking number is one that is commonly used through these shipping/delivery services. If the link (again) looks suspicious, confirm the tracking number on the shipping company’s website to make sure it is legitimate.
#4. LOOK AT THE WEBSITES CAREFULLY. This is one that can stand out like a sore thumb!! When you are doing some of your holiday shopping, especially from a new or unfamiliar company, take a bit of time to look over the website (or Facebook page) to make sure it’s legitimate. Look for spelling and grammar mistakes, look for clear, detailed product information, and size charts for clothing. Even if you find something that is advertised on your FB page and it looks like just what you have been searching for, Google it to see what else comes up online to make sure you can purchase it through a legit source.
#5. DON’T SHOP BY PHOTO ALONE. People say internet pictures of websites convinced them to deal with scammers, especially about pets or pet supplies, clothing, and vehicles, according to the Better Business Bureau. If you are shopping through a marketplace such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, check the product description carefully or ask for further detailed information.
#6. LOOK FOR THE BBB SEAL. Businesses that have been accredited by the BBB have agreed to follow the BBB Standards for Trust and to treat customers fairly. If you see a BBB seal, chances are it is a respectable company—but you can double-check by visiting the BBB's website.
#7. CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR PASSWORDS. Consider changing your passwords for banks, credit cards, and other essential accounts at the start of each new year if you haven't done so recently (or ever). Scammers will have a harder time hacking your accounts with more password security, and the longer the password, the better, according to Liz Lasher with FICO. If you are concerned that you may have fallen victim to a scam and handed away your password to any account, change all of your passwords right away, just in case.
#8. REPORT FRAUDULENT BEHAVIOR. You can report scams or suspicious behavior described in the above paragraphs if you become a victim or if you encounter any of the above. You can file a complaint with the BBB if you’re unhappy with a purchase, or if an item you purchased fell through the cracks, you can report it to the BBB Scam Tracker to help others avoid a similar experience. Through the Recent Ad Activity tab, you can also report a bad shopping experience that occurred on Facebook or Instagram. If you clicked through to a fraudulent site, for instance, you’ll be able to see the ads you recently clicked on and leave feedback on any that seemed to be suspicious. The ability to advertise on Facebook may be revoked for advertisers who have displayed substantial negative feedback.
#9. BUY GIFT CARDS FOR GIFTS, NOT FOR PAYMENTS. Gift cards are a great answer for birthdays or surprise gifts. But they’re also a scammer’s favorite way to steal your money. Anyone who contacts you and demands that you pay them with a gift card, for any reason, is always a scammer. Report gift card scams directly with the card issuer (use this list of card issuer phone numbers and emails), then report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Learn even more at ftc.gov/giftcards.
For The Love of Technology hopes you follow these tips to stay safe online because a day without falling for a scam is a day not spent stressing over identity theft or financial losses. We wish you a happy New Year and as always, May The Tech Be With You.