Halloween is almost here, and shoppers hunting for last-minute costumes or waiting for post-holiday clearance deals are being urged to watch for online scams that can hide behind steep discounts
Cameron Nakashima with the local Better Business Bureau said people should be especially careful about where they shop online, particularly when they see social media ads offering popular costumes at huge last-minute discounts. He said after Halloween, those pitches can shift to “overstock” or “clearance” sales.
Nakashima said these scams can look convincing and warned that online shopping scams remain one of the riskiest scam types for all age groups.
In some cases, he said, shoppers who place an order may receive an item that looks completely different from the photos, a cheaply made imitation, or nothing at all. Unauthorized charges can also show up.
To spot red flags, Nakashima said shoppers should focus on the seller’s credibility, not the discount.
He recommended checking the web address carefully for misspellings or extra words that could signal an imitation site. He also advised looking for working contact information and researching the business beyond its own website.
Nakashima said consumers can use BBB.org to check a business’ rating, customer reviews, complaint history, and how it responds when customers have problems.
Before paying, he urged shoppers to confirm the arrival date, not just the shipping date, and to read the return policy.
He noted that clearance purchases may be final sale and seasonal shops may close soon after Halloween. He also recommended paying by credit card when possible so consumers have a way to dispute a problem charge, and keeping receipts and proof of purchase.
If an unfamiliar seller insists on unusual payment methods such as prepaid Visa gift cards, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency, he said shoppers should walk away.
If something does go wrong, Nakashima said consumers should contact their card issuer promptly about unauthorized charges or an order that never arrives. He also encouraged people to report suspected scams to BBB Scam Tracker to document what happened and help alert others.
Consumers can research businesses at BBB.org and report suspected scams at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
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