The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of the Midwest Plains and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Omaha Field Office are partnering this holiday season to raise awareness of the increased risks of scams during peak shopping periods. As online holiday sales in the U.S. are projected to reach nearly $240 billion this year, consumers are urged to stay vigilant and follow safe shopping practices to protect their money and personal information.
BBB’s Scam Tracker Risk Report revealed that online shopping scams accounted for 41% of all reports to the scam reporting tool in 2023. BBB Midwest Plains has fielded nearly 400 online-purchase scam reports in 2024. Shortages of popular items often drive desperate shoppers to untrustworthy websites, which increases the prevalence of scams.
The BBB offers these tips for online shoppers:
- Research before purchasing: Use BBB.org to check business ratings, read shopper reviews, and ensure stores have clear return policies and warranties.
- Be wary of unrealistic deals: Scammers use deep discounts to lure victims. If it seems too good to be true, it likely is.
- Check website security: Look for “HTTPS” and a lock icon in the website’s address bar before entering payment information.
- Beware of fake websites: Watch for bad grammar, incorrect URLs, and missing contact information.
- Use secure payment methods: Pay with credit cards or secure, traceable options. Avoid prepaid debit cards or payment apps unless you trust the seller.
- Scrutinize shipping updates: Avoid clicking on suspicious shipping links in emails or texts; verify updates directly on the shipper’s official website.
- Verify the BBB seal: Businesses displaying the BBB Accredited Business seal have pledged to uphold high standards of trust. Verify the seal by visiting BBB.org.
Common online shopping scam red flags:
- Items offered at deep discounts
- Unfamiliar retailers selling popular products
- Payment requests through non-traditional methods, such as apps or gift cards
Where to report scams:
If you encounter suspicious activity:
- Report to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
- File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-FTC-Help.
- Notify the FBI Omaha Field Office at 402-493-8688 or submit a report online at ic3.gov.
