Many people are starting to do their holiday shopping online.
The Better Business Bureau wants you to be aware of online purchase scams, which are on the rise.
Kristin Matthews, Marketing and Communications Manager for BBB serving the Atlantic Provinces says according to a new report, four out of five consumers who report these type of scams end up losing money.
“This is a very risky scam type. If you’re looking to get your hands on sought out gifts such as electronics, you need to be aware of fake websites and counterfeit products that are out there,” says Matthews.
Matthews gives advice on what to do if you become a victim of an online scam.
“The first thing would be to contact the credit bureau, and let them know your information was compromised. They can put a fraud alert on your credit report.”
She says online scams don’t just take your money, they can steal personal information too.
Matthews says reporting the fraud to BBB and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre can also help protect you and others in the future.
She says since the COVID-19 pandemic, online purchase scams have jumped along with an increase in online shopping, and if a deal looks to good to be true, it probably is.
