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FBI instructs shoppers on avoiding scams

By: Amanda Wallace
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... The FBI is warning shoppers and sellers about scams this holiday season and providing tips on how to safeguard their finances.
..... "Every year, thousands of people become victims of holiday scams," the agency said. "Scammers can rob you of hard-earned money, personal information, and, at the very least, a festive mood."
..... The FBI said scams can come in several form, including:
* Nondelivery scams, in which someone pays for goods or services Online but never receives the items.
* Nonpayment scams, in which a person ships purchased goods or services but never receives payment for them
* Auction fraud, in which a product someone brought was misrepresented on an auction site.
* Gift card fraud, in which a seller asks a customer to pay with a prepaid card.
..... The Internet Crime Complaint Center's 2023 report found that nondelivery scams and nonpayment scams cost people more than $309 million that year. Credit card fraud accounted for another $173 million in losses, said the report, which suggested a correlation with the previous holiday season's scams, because a large volume of complaints are received in the early months of each year.
..... The FBI said there are several ways people can protect themselves form scams this holiday season and throughout the year.

Good cybersecurity hygiene

..... When shopping Online, do not click on nay suspicious links or attachments in emails on websites or on social media. These actions put people a risk of phishing scams and similar crimes, which get them to click on links and give up personal details including name, password and banking information. in some cases, malware may be secretly downloaded to a device.
.... The FBI recommended being "especially wary" if a company asks a customer to update a password or account information, advising instead to look up the company's phone number and call.

Know the buyer or seller

..... When buying form a website that doesn't not have "https" in the web address, do not enter any information. Check each website;s URL to make sure it is a legitimate and secure site.
..... Check reviews and do research before buying from a company for the first time, and verify the legitimacy of a buyer or seller before moving forward. Be wary of buyers and sellers with unfavorable feedback or no ratings at all.
..... Additionally, the FBI recommends that shoppers be wary of or avoid:
* Sellers who act as authorized dealers or factory representatives of popular items in countries where there would be no such deals.
* Sellers who post an auction or advertisement as if they r4esided in the U.S. but then respond to questions by saying they are out of the country for business, a family emergency or other reasons.
* Buyers who request that their purchases be shipped using a certain method to avoid customs or taxes inside another country.

Be careful when paying

..... When paying for a product or service, never wire money directly to a seller.
..... The FBI also recommends avoiding paying for items with prepaid gift cards. A seller will ask for the gift card number and PIN. Instead of using the gift card for payment, the scammer will steal the funds and not provide the items.
..... Finally, the FBI recommends checking credit card statements, regularly and contacting the credit card company if there is a suspicious transaction.

Monitor the shipping process

..... When purchasing an item Online, the FBI recommends always getting a tracking number as a way to ensure that the item has been shipped and to follow the delivery process.
..... When selling a product, the FBI recommends begin suspicious of any credit card purchases in which the address of the cardholder does not match the shipping address. Make suer to receive the card-holder's authorization before shipping any products.
..... "Remember: If it seems too good to be true, that's because it is," the FBI said.

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