Nashville Better Business Bureau Office Warns Online Shoppers of Holiday Scams
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the prime season for holiday scams targeting online shoppers. The Nashville Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging consumers to be cautious as scammers take advantage of the festive spirit. With just one click, unsuspecting shoppers can lose their hard-earned money and personal information.
According to Robyn Householder, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee, online scams are rampant during the holiday season, primarily through social media, text messages, and emails. Scammers use various tactics, including pop-up advertisements and duplicate websites, to deceive shoppers and steal their money.
One common scam involves pop-up ads on social media platforms that appear to be from reputable charities or offer enticing deals on sought-after Christmas items. However, Householder warns that these ads often lead to fake websites designed to dupe consumers. Scammers leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to target individuals who are searching for specific items, enticing them with better prices or fake guarantees, all in an attempt to lure unsuspecting shoppers away from legitimate retailers.
To protect yourself, Householder advises against buying items through social media ads. Instead, she recommends visiting the source’s website directly to make a purchase, ensuring you do not fall victim to cleverly crafted scams.
Another holiday scam preying on people’s emotions involves puppies. Householder explains that scammers commonly use stock photos of adorable dogs and list them at unrealistically low prices, making it difficult to resist. However, she cautions shoppers to exercise caution, as these cute puppies often don’t exist. Householder advises doing a reverse image search to determine if the photo is original or a stock image.
Charity scams are also on the rise during the season of giving. Scammers capitalize on the goodwill of individuals by sending texts or pop-up ads requesting donations. Householder warns against responding to such solicitations, emphasizing that legitimate charities will never initiate contact in this manner. Instead, she suggests going directly to the charity’s official website to ensure your contribution goes to the intended cause.
Furthermore, the BBB of Middle Tennessee highlights that young adults, specifically those aged 18 to 24, are the most targeted age group for scams. Householder believes this demographic is particularly vulnerable due to their familiarity with instant gratification and their tendency to overlook important details in unsolicited texts and pop-up ads.
To avoid falling victim to scams, Householder advises shoppers to take their time, conduct thorough research, and avoid sharing personal information unless they have thoroughly verified the source. By exercising caution, consumers can safeguard themselves against holiday scams and enjoy a worry-free online shopping experience.
For more information on the latest scams in Middle Tennessee or to file a complaint, visit the Better Business Bureau’s website.
