How to Avoid Scams During Christmas in July Online Sales

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Thinking about taking part in those “Christmas in July” specials some retailers are offering online this month? Online shopping is convenient, but remember to look for signs of phishing scams, misleading ads and lookalike websites before you buy.

Online shopping scams are consistently among the riskiest scams reported to the Better Business Bureau and posed a particular risk to people ages 18 to 34 in 2024. Online purchase scams made up more than 30% of all scams reported to BBB last year, and 87.5% of reports said they lost money in the scam.

Major retailers are frequently impersonated by scammers. Amazon, Walmart, Apple, Macy’s and Wayfair all made BBB’s list of the top 20 most impersonated companies in 2024.

Check websites carefully, especially if you’ve never shopped there before. Trust your gut. If something feels off, pause before you pay.

How can you shop online safely?

Research the seller. Before you buy, check customer reviews for the product and research the retailer. Make sure you can find contact information for the seller. Look up the retailer on BBB.org to see if they are BBB Accredited and read customer reviews.

Check for lookalikes. Some of the best deals are only available online, but be careful. It’s easy for a fake site to mimic a famous retailer’s website. Double check that the URL is spelled correctly. If the site is missing contact information, that’s a red flag.

Check site security. If the site is secure, its URL should start with “https://” and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.

Read the fine print. Take your time and read the fine print before submitting your order. Look for the return policy. Many online orders can be returned for a full refund, but others have restocking fees, and some items cannot be returned at all.

Protect your personal information. Read the site’s privacy policy to understand what data is requested and how it will be used. If a site doesn’t have a privacy policy, that’s a big red flag.

Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media. Many questionable retailers advertise great deals or trendy clothing that doesn’t match the promotional hype. Links in unsolicited messages can also put you at risk of phishing.

Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. Offers on websites or in unsolicited emails may advertise free or very low prices on hard-to-find items. There may be hidden costs, or your purchase may sign you up for a monthly charge.

Use a credit card. That way, it’s easier to dispute charges you didn’t approve or get your money back if there’s a problem.

Keep receipts. Save a copy of the email confirmation until you receive the item and are satisfied. Know the return policy and keep it with your purchase records.

Protect your devices. Install a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Check for and install the latest updates and run virus scans regularly on your computer, tablet and smartphone.

Don O’Brien is the regional director for the Quincy Better Business Bureau. Contact him at [email protected] or (217) 209-3972.