Have you started shopping for the holidays yet? To avoid scams and maximize your money, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office shares the following tips for smart holiday shopping:
- Buy from trusted businesses. You can check a store’s reputation by researching its complaint history at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and/or the Better Business Bureau. Also, use the internet to look up consumer reviews by searching for the company’s name and terms such as “complaint,” “scam,” or “review.”
- Only purchase from secure websites. Check the beginning of the website address for the lock symbol and the “s” in “https,” which tell you that the website is secure. Also, be sure the website you’re buying from is the actual website, not an impostor site.
- Don’t use free, public Wi-Fi when entering sensitive information. Hackers may be able to monitor your activity – such as inputting your credit card number – when you’re using free Wi-Fi networks.
- Limit what you share. Only provide a seller with as much personal information as necessary. Also, familiarize yourself with a store’s privacy policy, so you know how your information will be stored, sold, and shared.
- If possible, pay with a credit card. Credit-card purchases usually offer greater protections from unauthorized charges than other payment methods. With a credit card, your responsibility for unauthorized charges is generally limited to $50. You also have certain rights to dispute charges that you may not have with a debit card or other payment form.
- Gift cards are popular holiday presents. Gift cards are great for last-minute shoppers and for recipients who don’t have a wish list. You can learn more here about what to consider when buying gift cards. Do not buy a gift card whose PIN number is exposed or packaging is tampered with.
- Check refund policies. Under Ohio consumer-protection laws, stores are not required to provide refunds or have a specific type of return policy. If they do have a return policy, however, they must clearly tell you what it is before you complete the purchase. Check a website’s refund policy before making a purchase. If a website has a refund policy, it must be clearly and conspicuously posted.
- Understand the role of third-party sellers. Keep in mind that some websites, including Amazon and Walmart, have marketplaces that allow third-party companies to sell products through their website. In these cases, the third-party seller’s return policy may vary from the website’s policy. For example, even if you buy something from a website with a defined return policy, the actual seller may have a different return policy.
- Beware of phony postal and delivery emails and text messages. Fake shipping notifications are especially popular during the holiday season. Typically, the message offers an urgent update about your package, such as a shipping delay and directs you to click a link for more information. If you click the included link, you are taken to a malicious website. Here are some tips to keep you safe from shipping- and delivery-notification scams:
- Legitimate shipping notifications include specific order information, such as your shipping address, an item description or the name of the sender.
- Stay up-to-date on your orders by visiting the retailer’s official website. If you receive an unexpected notification, visit the retailer’s website using your browser – not by clicking the link in the email.
- Never click a link or call back the number from an unexpected delivery notice. Contact the delivery service or seller directly using a verified number or website.
Consumers who suspect a scam or an unfair business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.