116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
From the Bureau: Stay alert while Prime shopping
Bargains abound, but so do scams
By Bobby Hansen, - Better Business Bureau
Jul. 7, 2023 3:22 pm
BBB Tip: Enjoy supporting businesses and stay alert for online scammers
Prime Day — July 11 and 12 this year — is always a hit, and Amazon isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts, with many other retailers running sales.
“Christmas in July” is a common reference that many equate that with the bargains available during the holidays. The deals are great for consumers, and more people shopping is great for businesses, large and small.
But be careful, and don't get too caught up in the excitement of getting big discounts or fall for phishing scams, misleading advertisements and look-alike websites.
July is typically known for clearance deals on seasonal clothing and furnishings in addition to good prices on electronics and school supplies. Consumers should ensure they know what to look for when shopping the big sales in July — and throughout the entire year.
Tips
- Watch for email phishing attempts that appear to come from a popular retailer. These attempts increase during busy shopping times such as Prime Day or Black Friday. Be certain to track your purchase(s) and keep a record of where an item is bought together with pertinent information regarding the price, fees, website and seller.
- Look out for unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls. These messages may claim a discount or a gift is waiting, or that there is a problem with delivery — just click on the link or provide personal information. Always be leery of an unknown link and think carefully before clicking on a link as a number of problems might develop.
- Watch out for social media ads and offers. Look-alike websites may appear to belong to a trusted retailer. Looking closely at the URL — the domain name at the top of a web page — which may be slightly different from the real site Ensure the websites uses the correct business spelling and has legitimate contact information. Trust your instincts evaluating deals. If a seller offers the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably untrue.
- Beware of look-alike websites. The number of impostor sites is growing. Check the URL, watch for bad grammar or odd word usage, research the age of the domain, check for customer support information and read online reviews.
- Professional photos do not mean something is real. Photos can be stolen from other websites, so don’t believe everything on a site. Exceedingly low prices typically will mean low quality.
- Make sure the website is secure. Look for the “https” in the URL (the “s” is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or personal information into a website with only “http.” It is NOT secure.
- Be careful when buying sought-after products. If something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great deal. Scammers often trick shoppers by offering the popular products at a low price.
- Always pay with a credit card rather than a debit card. If a product is not delivered or unauthorized charges appear, contest them. Follow all requirements of the card issuers’ dispute process. Be very wary of retailers asking for payment only through digital wallet apps, prepaid money/gift cards or other non-traditional methods.
- After making purchases, stay alert for scams. Be on the lookout for follow-up offers and business impersonation. An unscrupulous seller might send a fake tracking link or even send a minimal value item to satisfy a tracking number requirement. Open and check merchandise immediately as return and refund options will vary.
Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org.
Daily Newsletters