Take precautions before holiday shopping online or in stores
Every year, millions of Americans spend hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend 4.1 percent more this holiday season than they did last year, totaling almost $720 billion in sales.
As Thanksgiving approaches, so does the holiday shopping season.
Battling the crowds at the mall and waiting for packages are only some of the things you need to worry about this holiday season. Better Business Bureau offers these tips to help you get the most out of your holiday shopping.
■ Do your research. Read product reviews and check www.bbb. org for Business Profiles on businesses you’re considering buying from. Look for the seal to find BBB Accredited Businesses. And, remember, not all the best sales or the best prices are in the big box stores. Thousands of small and independent businesses offer great deals too.
■ Ask for warranty information and keep receipts. Always know about the store’s return and exchange policy before purchasing. Ask if your product has a warranty available, and get a gift receipt.
■ Read ads carefully. Be sure you know what’s really being offered.
■ Be wary of public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is vulnerable to thieves and fraudsters looking to steal your information. When in stores or restaurants, avoid using banking or other apps that access sensitive personal information.
■ Pay attention to your surroundings. Stores get really busy, and it’s a great time for a thief to blend into the crowd. Thieves may see you struggling with shopping bags and consider it an opportunity to steal your purse or wallet.
Make sure your mobile device is secure. Many Americans use their mobile devices to research purchases. Be sure you’re using the most recent versions of apps and operating system. Also, actively manage your location services, Bluetooth, microphone and camera.
■ Beware of email phishing. Never click on any links from senders you don’t recognize. Keep in mind, scammers often pose as familiar companies.
■ Pay with your credit card. Your credit card gives you a better chance of getting your money back if something goes wrong.
Most merchants do want to be fair, provide reliable products and want you to have a good experience in their stores. Be sure you buy from someone you can trust. Your gifts are meant for important people in your life; don’t fall victim to untrustworthy scammers.
For more information on businesses you can trust, visit www.bbb.org or call 937-2225825 or 800-776-5301. If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker by visiting www.bbb. org/ScamTracker.