Archive for the ‘Better Business Bureau’ Category

As immediate relief needs are assessed in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a charity. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance warns that, as occurred following the tsunami in 2004 and Katrina in 2005, fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Americans.

“Whenever a major disaster occurs, in the U.S. or abroad, scam artists come out of the woodwork,” says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Vice President/Communications of the BBB. “Consumers need to be sure their money is going to legitimate relief organizations.”

BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips to help Consumers decide where to direct donations:

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other Web sites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a minimum, a processing fee. If a charity claims 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting earthquake victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably incurring fund raising and administrative expenses.  They may use some of their other funds to pay this, but the expenses will still be incurred.

Be cautious when giving online.

Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. In response to the tsunami disaster in 2004, there were concerns raised about many Web sites and new organizations that were created overnight allegedly to help victims.

Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas.

Unless the charity already has staff in the affected areas, it may be difficult to get new aid workers to quickly provide assistance.  See if the charity’s website clearly describes what they can do to address immediate needs.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups.

Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations.  If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to charities that have a presence in the region. Or, at a minimum, check out the ultimate recipients of these donations to ensure the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.

Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations.

In-kind drives for food and clothing—while well intentioned— may not necessarily be the quickest way to help those in need – unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to be able to properly distribute such aid. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.

For more information on charities, go to www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222.

Walmart Voucher Scam – The text message says you’ve won a $200 Walmart voucher and tells you to call an 877 number to claim your prize. When you call, the person says to get the voucher, they need your credit card information to pay for a $9.90 shipping fee. This is a scam! Walmart does award gift cards if you take part in a customer service survey found on your receipt, but consumers find out they have won through certified mail and a phone call. Walmart will never ask for personal or banking information.

‘Twilight’ Casting Call Scam – Scammers who are claiming to be casting “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” are targeting young fans through e-mails and fake casting call advertisements on fan sites. The e-mails implore those who are interested in walk-on parts to apply immediately with impending deadlines, promising that no experience is necessary and pay ranges from $80-250, depending on the role. If “Breaking Dawn” does start hiring extras, it will be widely advertised in the media. Also, there will be no need to pay to register at a Web site in order to find out casting details.

It’s TAX TIME! Choose a tax preparer wisely! BBB suggests before you hire a tax professional, you find out what the service fees are before the return is prepared. Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of your refund. Only use a tax preparer that signs your tax return and provides you with a copy of your records. Avoid anyone who asks you to sign a blank tax form. Remember, you are ultimately responsible for everything on your tax return. For more information go to www.bbb.org.

Peel, Inc. is an Internet company that sells a variety of home products under multiple names and Website addresses. The company has an F rating with the BBB due to over 2,200 complaints from across the country. Consumers allege undisclosed or unauthorized charges, lack of clearly disclosed shipping and/or membership fees, and deceptive advertising. According to its Website, Peel Inc. is currently not accepting new orders.

BBB Lottery Scam – Local residents are getting calls from scam artists who say they represent the Better Business Bureau and they have won a million dollars. Consumers say the phone number comes up as RESTRICTED on the caller ID. BBB is not giving away a million dollars!

Joining a gym? Verify membership terms before you make a commitment. Most common complaints to BBB on athletic clubs focus on contract disputes and billing issues. BBB recommends you learn how long the membership is, if there is automatic renewal, can you go month-to-month, what is included in the monthly fee, is there a sign-up fee, and what are your cancellation rights? Also, compare clubs and prices.  Always check with the BBB for a reliability report at www.bbb.org.

Microsoft/AOL Giveaway Scam – The claim: Internet users can receive a cash reward for forwarding messages to test a Microsoft/AOL e-mail tracking system. The truth: This is a long-running Internet hoax that has been circulating since 1997. The e-mail has changed companies and rewards over the years, but the con remains the same: fool Internet users to forwarding junk messages to friends. The pranksters get the last laugh.

Employment Scams – BBB urges job seekers to be cautious with online classified ads offering jobs. BBB often gets calls from job seekers who have been offered bogus employment opportunities online. The scammers try to obtain financial and personal information. While there are legitimate jobs posted on the sites, some of the scammers post these fake jobs on sites like Craigslist, Yahoo, Monster, and Career Builder.

Out of Work? Census jobs are available! Job hunters can apply for jobs now. Most hiring will take place in spring of 2010. Census workers usually work in their own communities, going door-to-door, conducting brief interviews. Census takers work about 20 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the evenings and on weekends. Job hunters can go to www.2010censusjobs.gov or call 1-866-861-2010 for more information.

Census Facts – U.S. Census workers will be going door-to-door from April to July 2010. To be sure you aren’t scammed, BBB offers these tips: A Census worker must present an ID that contains a Dept. of Commerce watermark and expiration date. The worker will provide you with a supervisor contact upon request and provide you with a letter from the Census Bureau. A Census worker will never ask for your social security number, bank account, or credit card numbers. Census workers also never solicit for donations and will never contact you via e-mail. For more information go to www.census.gov/2010census.

Better Business Bureau is releasing its list of the top 10 scams and rip-offs of 2009. Many scams sought to take advantage of people who were suffering under tough economic circumstances – like the unemployed. Additionally, the use of free-trial offers to lock consumers into recurring credit and debit card charges was widespread online.

“While some scams on the list were perennial problems,” says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Vice President, Communications, of the BBB, “others were distinct in 2009 due to the economic climate and scammers taking advantage of the top headlines in news.” For example, in places hit by the housing crisis, bogus offers for foreclosure rescue were overwhelming. Following, is BBB’s list of top scams and rip-offs for 2009.

They are in no particular order.

1. Stimulus/Government Grant Scams – Even before President Obama announced the stimulus plan in February, scammers had already set up schemes for misleading consumers and small business owners into thinking they could get a piece of the pie. Offers for worthless assistance and advice on how to get government grants bombarded consumers online, over the phone, and via mail and e-mail.

2. Over-Payment Scams – Over-payment scams can target small business owners, , landlords individuals with rooms to rent, and sellers on classifieds or sites like Craigslist. Typically the scammer pretends to be a customer, possible renter, or interested buyer. The victim receives a check for more than the amount requested. The scammers then ask the victim to deposit the check and wire the extra amount elsewhere, such as to a shipping company. Ultimately though, the check is fake and the victim is really wiring money back to the scammers.

3. Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam – The victim receives a letter in the mail pretending to be from Reader’s Digest, Publisher’s Clearing House, or a phony foreign lottery claiming that he or she has won millions. The letter comes with a check that represents only a portion of the total winnings. In order to get the rest, the victim has to deposit the check and then wire hundreds of dollars back to the scammers supposedly to cover taxes or some other bogus fee. The victim wires the money, but the prize never arrives.

4. Job Hunter Scams – Scams targeting job hunters vary and include attempts to gain access to personal information such as bank account or social security numbers and requirements to pay a fee in order to even be considered for the job. Many of these scam artists find the job hunters on online job posting sites like monster or yahoo jobs.

5. Google Work from Home Scam – Countless Web sites cropped up in 2009 that claimed you could learn how to make money from home using Google or Twitter and offered a free trial of learning materials. The Web sites often included the Google or Twitter moniker and logo. As a result, many people who complained to BBB thought they were getting a job with Google or Twitter when in, fact, they were being lured into another misleading free-trial offer and were billed every month for the materials and other mystery charges that added up to hundreds of dollars.

6. Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue/Debt Assistance – Many families are struggling in the current economy and hucksters are offering to help them save their house from foreclosure or help them get out of credit card debt. Unfortunately, victims are paying hundreds of dollars up front for the assistance they desperately need but ultimately never receive.

7. Mystery Shopping – Consumers across the country thought that they could make some extra money by becoming a secret shopper and evaluating the customer service of various stores. The victim is asked to evaluate their shopping experience at a few stores as well as a money wiring service such as Western Union or MoneyGram by wiring money back to the scammers. A seemingly real looking check is supposed to cover the costs, but ends up being a fake. The victim is out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

8. Robocalls – Owning a cell phone or having their phone number on the do-not-call list did not help thousands of people across the US put a stop to harassing automated telemarketing calls in 2009. The robocalls often claimed that their auto warranty was about to expire—which wasn’t true, or offered help in reducing their interest rate on their credit card. The prevalence of robocalls violating federal telemarketing laws prompted the FTC to increase restrictions on the practice in 2009.

9. Phishing e-mails/H1N1 spam – A perennial problem, phishing e-mails pop up in inboxes and can take various forms such as appearing to be from a business, a government agency, or official, or even a friend. Whatever the setup, the goal of any phishing e-mail is the same: to trick victims into divulging sensitive financial information or to infect the victim’s computer with viruses and malware. In addition to phishing e-mails, spam e-mail selling wares to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus were particularly rampant in 2009.

10. Acai Supplements and Other “Free” Trial Offers – Ads offering trial offers for teeth whiteners, acai anti-aging pills, and other miracle supplements are all over the internet, including trusted Web sites of national news organizations. The marketing campaigns often falsely claimed an endorsement by Oprah, Rachel Ray and Doctor Oz. Thousands of consumers complained to BBB that the free trial actually cost them as much as hundreds of dollars, month after month.

Consumers or small business owners victimized by a scam can contact their local BBB or file a complaint at www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222. Always research a business with BBB before you sign any contracts or hand over any money.

Visa, FTC and BBB Partner to Educate Consumers about Online Scams

Twenty-nine percent of online U.S. consumers victimized by deceptive marketing

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) joined the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau in a press conference to alert consumers to online deceptive marketing practices associated with free trials with a negative option feature. According to a Visa survey, 29 percent of American consumers have fallen victim to deceptive marketing when unscrupulous e-commerce merchants require them to cancel or opt-out of a recurring charge for future products or services.

With free trials with a negative option feature,  a company takes a consumer’s failure to cancel as permission to begin charging. While many merchants use this billing process appropriately, others pre-check consent boxes, bury the details of the offers in the terms and conditions and make cancellations or returns difficult, catching consumers in a cycle of recurring charges for products and services they do not want.

“Most e-commerce merchants care about their customers and conduct business fairly, but even a few bad actors can cause consumer distrust,” said William M. Sheedy, Group President, The Americas, Visa Inc. “We want to let consumers know more about the protections they have against these types of practices and how to pursue a reversal of charges if they’ve been charged improperly.”

Visa monitors its payment network to identify merchants with excessive levels of cardholder disputes which may indicate the use of deceptive marketing practices. In fact, merchants who use deceptive marketing practices have up to 20 times as many consumer disputes as the average e-commerce merchant. Visa requires the merchant and its bank to take corrective action to reduce excessive consumer disputes, or risk termination of Visa acceptance privileges.

According the Better Business Bureau, consumers should research the business before they buy. “BBB has received thousands of complaints on free trial offers,” says Charlie Mattingly, President of the BBB serving Louisville, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky. “Everything from acai berry supplements, teeth whiteners, free government grants, and more. Before handing over your credit card number, check the company’s reliability report with the BBB.”

Visa, the FTC and BBB offers tips to online shoppers on how to spot deceptive free trial offers and deceptive negative option features, and how to deal with unauthorized charges:

• Take time to read and understand all terms and conditions, so a free trial doesn’t turn into a costly purchase you didn’t intend to make.
• Pay particular attention to any pre-checked boxes before you submit your payment card information for an order. Failing to un-check the boxes may bind you to terms and conditions you’re not interested in.
• Review card statements when you get them for any unauthorized charges, and notify the card issuer promptly of any unusual activity or unauthorized charges.
• Try to resolve the situation with the merchant. If you’re unsuccessful, contact the card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.

David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection said, “Online shoppers: If you see charges on your statement or debits that you didn’t authorize, fight it. Start by contacting the merchant. If you are unable to contact the merchant or they can’t or won’t help, call your card issuer and then file a complaint with the FTC. You can do that online at ftc.gov or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP.”

The FTC has outlined five principles regarding the appropriate use of negative options, which call for:

• Disclosing material terms in an understandable manner, without making them unnecessarily long or inconsistent;
• Making the disclosures clear and conspicuous by placing them where consumers are likely to look on Web pages, by labeling disclosures (and links to them) to indicate their importance and relevance, and by using easy-to-read fonts and colors;
• Disclosing the offer’s material terms before the consumer incurs a financial obligation;
• Getting consumers’ affirmative consent to the offer by, for example, having them click “I Agree” And without relying on pre-checked boxes;
• Not impeding the effective operation of promised cancellation procedures and honoring cancellation requests that comply with such procedures.

Consumers who think they’ve been victims of deceptive marketing and who haven’t been able to resolve the issue directly with the merchant should call their card issuer to dispute the charge. They also may report their experiences to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint or their local BBB at www.bbb.org. More information is available at www.visa.com/negativeoption.

BBB is alerting consumers to a holiday email scam that’s popping up in consumers’ inboxes just in time for the holiday shopping season. The email appears to be a legitimate email from DHL Services, a parcel shipment company, but it actually contains an attachment that if opened, will infect your computer with a virus.

The email, displayed below, is similar to emails that seem to turn up every year during the holidays. At this time of year many

consumers are often not surprised to receive unexpected packages in the mail, so when they see a notification in their inbox stating they have a package waiting, many consumers are more likely to believe it.

Dear customer!

The courier company was not able to deliver your parcel by your address.

Cause: Error in shipping address.

You may pickup the parcel at our post office personally.

Please attention!

The shipping label is attached to this e-mail.

Print this label to get this package at our post office.

Please do not reply to this e-mail, it is an unmonitored mailbox!

Thank you,

DHL Services.

DHL’s Website says the attachment is actually the Infostealer.Banker.C virus, a known and verified virus that is

employed by scammers to steal their victims’ identity.

BBB reminds consumers to never open an email attachment or link from an unknown source. Often times the attachment or link turns out to be nothing but a virus could infect your computer, causing costly damage, and possibly steal your identity.

Maximum Business Concepts contacts consumers via telephone and offers an opportunity to work from home as an ‘affiliate,’ selling credit card terminals. The company has an F rating with BBB. Complaints stem from refund issues to high pressure sales tactics. Customers bought the business opportunity for $150 – $500 plus an additional $19.95 per month for a personal website. Some say they were pressured to purchase an advertising campaign with costs up to $35,000.

Holiday Refunds and Exchanges: Don’t delay on holiday returns and exchanges! Stores could have time limits on them! Whether giving or receiving, be sure to keep the receipts and original packaging of the gift.  Many stores have restocking fees for high-priced merchandise like electronics and furniture. Also, keep in mind, some stores will only allow exchanges, not refunds.

Use caution when shopping Online Auctions! Don’t provide financial information directly to the seller. Use a legitimate payment service to protect your purchases. Diligently check each seller’s rating and feedback along with the number of sales and the dates on which feedback was posted. Be wary of a seller with 100% positive feedback, if they have a low total number of feedback postings, and all feedback was posted around the same date and time.

Smishing – Be leery of text messages you receive indicating a problem or question regarding your financial accounts. In this scam, you are directed to call the number provided in the message to update your account or correct the problem. This connects you to an automated voice response system. Eventually you are asked for personal information, like bank or credit card numbers.

BlueHippo.com, a computer-purchase financing company that requires customers to pay upfront before products are shipped, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying its bank had frozen its funds after the FTC, the BBB and other consumer groups claimed that it had failed to deliver computers and electronics orders.  BBB has received over 4,150 complaints against the company.

Rebates are going high-tech. More businesses are opting for pre-loaded cards as opposed to paper checks. Unlike checks, which can be deposited in the bank to pay bills, to get the benefit, consumers must spend. Most of the cards can be used at any store, but some retailers are handing out rebate cards that can only be used at their stores. BBB reminds consumers to read the fine print when filing for a rebate!

Holiday Card Scam – E-cards are being sent via spam. Like many other Internet fraud schemes, the criminals use social engineering tactics to entice the victim, claiming the card is from a family member or friend. Although there have been variations in the spam message and attached malware, generally the spam directs the recipient to click the link provided in the email to view the e-card. Upon clicking the link, the recipient is unknowingly taken to a malicious webpage.

International Timeshare Consolidators has D- rating with BBB. ITC contacts timeshare owners by phone offering to assist in the sale of their property. The agent collects information for an appraisal and makes an overly-desirable bid to purchase the timeshare. Later the company calls back claiming the transaction cannot be completed because the consumer now owes fees for transferring the title. After submitting payments, some owners find that their timeshare didn’t actually sell.

Buying a Gift Card? Be careful purchasing them from auction sites or through classified ads. They could be fake or stolen. If you purchase a gift card, it is safest to buy it directly from the merchant or another authorized store. If the gift card merchant discovers the card you received from another source or auction was initially obtained fraudulently, the merchant will deactivate the gift card number and it will not be honored for purchases.

H1N1 Email Virus – Internet scammers are sending fake emails all over the country to steal passwords and install a damaging virus on victims’ computers. The fraudulent email purportedly comes from a “State Vaccination H1N1 Program” and offers an official-looking but bogus link to the Website for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The message says anyone 18 or older should click on the link to complete a personal profile because every adult “has to have his personal vaccination profile” on the CDC’s Website, whether they intend to be vaccinated or not.

This holiday season, BBB wants to remind consumers to know their rights before making a purchase.  “Each year BBB receives calls after the holidays from upset consumers who are stuck with items they can’t return,” says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Communications Director for the BBB in Louisville. “Consumers should familiarize themselves with the seller’s return policy before making a purchase to prevent any confusion in the event the item they purchased needs to be returned.”

Before you go shopping for a loved one this holiday season, BBB wants to remind you to know your rights before making a purchase.

• Know the seller’s return policy. Be sure to find out about a store’s return policies before making a purchase—especially a major one. Keep in mind that returning or exchanging items is a privilege, not a right. Generally speaking, state and federal laws do not require that retailers provide returns or exchanges. A business is not obligated to accept items for refund, exchange, or credit except in cases where the item is defective or misrepresented.

• The merchandise was defective. Now what? Regardless of a store’s policy, if the goods you have purchased were misrepresented or are defective, you have every reason to expect the store to provide a suitable substitute or refund, or make proper repairs. The laws in all states require a store to make good in such cases. Keep in mind that health regulations forbid returns of such items as hats, bathing suits, and other intimate apparel.

• Check if there are restocking fees if an item is returned. If you custom order a product, many stores charge a restocking fee for the return of such a product. It is a good idea to keep the packaging an item was wrapped in just in case it is required for return by the store to the manufacturer. Or if you know you are going to return it, don’t open the package at all. Many retailers have restocking fees for high-priced merchandise such as electronics and furniture.

• You want to return an item and get your money back.  A customer’s money may be returned under a refund policy. Stores that offer refunds as a policy do so voluntarily and, in most cases, are not compelled by state or federal law to do so.  These policies usually require that products be returned to a store within a specific period of time and in original purchase condition. In almost every case, a sales slip or some other evidence that the item was actually purchased at a particular store is also required. If a customer does not have evidence of purchase, he or she may not receive a refund or may not receive the full amount of the purchase price. In some stores, all sales are final.

• Understand exchanges or credits. In a product exchange, an item may be returned and another item of equal value may be received in its place. This privilege is usually extended when the buyer has made a reasonable mistake; for example, in the size or color of the product purchased. In other instances, customers may receive a credit slip after returning an item. This store credit allows the consumer to purchase any other item at that store which has the same monetary value as the item he or she has returned.

• What to do if the product has a separate written warranty. Some products have warranties that spell out the manufacturer’s liability if the product is defective. Reading a product’s warranty before returning an item to a store from which it was purchased is highly recommended. In some cases, warranties exempt stores from product liability and require consumers to mail the product to a manufacturer or other business in order to receive monetary refunds, credit, or product replacement.

• If the purchase is made under a written contract, normal return privileges may be affected. Written contracts sometimes have special provisions for the return of goods. A contract usually provides its own conditions for return of the goods and cancellation of an agreement. Always read and understand a contract before you sign it; never sign a blank contract and always keep a copy of the contract.

• Don’t delay. If a store has a return policy, there may be time limits for returns.

• AND always keep receipts and original packaging!

For more holiday shopping tips go to www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222

Most charities rely heavily on the goodwill of individual donors during the holiday season to fund their activities throughout the coming year. Last year, charity contributions totaled $307.65 billion: 75 percent of this total came from individuals, according to the Giving USA Foundation. BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance advises donors to research a charity prior to giving and provides five questions to ask when deciding where to contribute this holiday season.

1. Is this a charity I can trust?

Look at the appeal carefully; some charities’ names sound the same. Don’t be fooled by names that look impressive or that closely resemble the name of a well-known organization. Check with your appropriate state government authorities (this is usually a division of the state’s office of the attorney general) to verify the charity is registered to solicit in your state. . Also, visit the Web site of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (www.bbb.org/charity) to find out whether a national charity meets the 20 BBB charity standards that address charity governance, finances, fund raising, donor privacy, and other accountability issues. For assistance with local charity appeals, contact the BBB serving your area (www.bbb.org).

2. How will the charity use my donation?

Ask questions about how your donation will be used. Beware of appeals that bring tears to your eyes but tell you little about what the charity is doing about the problem it describes so well. For example, if the charity says it’s helping the homeless, do they explain how (shelter, food, medical care) and where this is taking place?

Watch out for statements such as “all proceeds will go to the charity.” This can mean that only the money left after expenses, such as the cost of written materials and fund raising efforts, will go to the charity. These expenses can be high, so check carefully.

3. Is my donation tax deductible?

If you want to take a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes, make sure the organization is tax exempt as a charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A charity appeal will usually include reference to this. To verify a charity’s tax status, access an IRS database of organizations by viewing Publication 78 on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

4. Can the charity actually use what I’m donating?

All charities welcome the receipt of monetary donations, but some also solicit in-kind donations such as clothing, food, and toys. If you’re planning to donate items to a worthy cause, make sure you know the in-kind contributions your charity prefers. For example, a food bank may prefer food items that are not perishable such as canned goods, and a toy drive may be seeking new and not used toys.

5. Am I feeling pressured to give?

Don’t succumb to pressure to give money on the spot, either immediately over the phone via credit card or by allowing a “runner” to pick up a contribution. Take the time to research the charity fully; the charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.

For more advice on giving over the holidays and to view reports on charities visit www.bbb.org/charity or call 1-800-388-2222.

Cyber Monday starts today!

This holiday season, everyone will be hunting for a bargain. The Better Business Bureau is warning online shoppers that some deals are just too good to be true. “Everyone will be looking for the best deals this year and scammers know that they can take advantage of that by using low prices to lure in victims,” says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Communications Director for the BBB. BBB offers the following advice to help make online shopping a safe and easy experience this holiday season:
 
1. Protect your computer – Update your computer system with the latest spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall.
 
2. Use trustworthy Web sites – Always start with BBB to check on the seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction.
Look for a “trustmark” from BBB Online and click on that seal to confirm that it’s valid.
 
3. Protect your personal information – Read the site’s privacy policy to understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, consider that a warning that your personal information may be sold to others without your permission.
 
4. Trust your gut – Offers on Web sites and in unsolicited e-mails can often sound too good to be true. Always go with your instincts and don’t be afraid to pass up a “deal” because it might cost you in the end.
 
5. Beware of phishing – Legitimate businesses do not send emails claiming problems with an order or an account to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. Pick up the phone and call the contact number on the Web site where you made the purchase to ask if there was a problem with your transaction.
 
6. Confirm your online purchase is secure – Look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. If you have doubts about a site, right-click anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (Web site address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is not encrypted.
 
7. Pay with a credit card – It’s best to use a credit card because under federal law you can dispute the charges if you don’t get what you were promised. You also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on your credit card, and many card issuers have “zero liability” policies under which you pay nothing if someone steals your credit card number and uses it.
 
8. Keep documentation of your order. When you’ve completed the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page or you might receive confirmation by email – don’t delete these, save them!
 
9. Check your credit card statement often – Don’t wait for a paper statement; check your credit card statements for suspicious activity by either calling the credit card company or by checking your statement online.
 
10. Know your rights – Federal law requires that orders made by mail, phone or online be shipped by the date promised or, if no delivery time was stated, within 30 days. If the goods aren’t shipped on time, you can cancel and demand a refund. There is no general three-day cancellation right, but you do have the right to reject merchandise if it’s defective or was misrepresented. Otherwise, it’s the company’s policies that determine if you can cancel the purchase and whether you can get a refund or credit.
 
For more advice on keeping your identity safe over the holidays, visit bbb.org or call
1-800-388-2222.

The holiday shopping season is off and running despite a shaky economy. Smart shoppers may be able to snap up bargains before, after and on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that traditionally is one of the biggest shopping days of the year.  However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to arm themselves with knowledge and a budget before hitting the stores. Setting limits on spending is especially important to avoid a deluge of post-holiday bills.

“Consumers need to make lists and stick to limits on spending so they don’t find themselves overwhelmed by debt next year,” says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Communications Director for the Better Business Bureau. “Work out a plan, and stick to it.”  Shoppers should be wary of exaggerated claims of discounts whether shopping online, in a mall or at a free-standing store. Be sure to shop around to compare prices, matching descriptions or model numbers of items you want to buy.

When buying gifts, it’s important to obtain and keep receipts for all purchases in case the recipient needs to return an item. Many stores will provide gift receipts upon request, which allow returns but don’t show the recipient how much you paid for an item. Be sure to check a store’s return and refund policy before you make a purchase. Although some stores relax their return policies during the holiday season, others may require that returns be made within a few days of purchase. Some only allow returns if a product is defective while others may give store credit instead of cash refunds.

While online shopping can be a way to avoid crowded stores, shoppers need to be careful of the sites they patronize. When shopping online, be sure to:

• Check the site’s security settings and read the company’s policy on sharing information with other sites. If the site is secure, its address should start with https://. You also may see a picture of a small closed lock in the lower right hand corner of the screen.  Know the company’s refund and return policies before ordering. Are there restocking fees? Do you have to pay shipping costs on returns?

• Do not rely on pictures of a product. Read the description and check model numbers, if applicable.

• Be cautious of free or very-low-price offers. Often, free offers are followed by an open-ended enrollment in a program that automatically bills your credit card account.  Before ordering anything online, make sure you click on and read all terms and conditions.

• Pay with a credit card whenever possible, so you can challenge the charge in the event of a dispute.

• Obtain a tracking number for shipments. If you need the product before the holidays, find out when the seller intends to ship it and if possible, how it will be shipped.  Toy safety also has become a concern for many parents. Make sure any toys you buy are appropriate for the age of the child. If possible, inspect toys carefully to look for sharp edges that may cut, moving parts that can pinch or small, removable pieces that can be a choking hazard. Toy chests should have air holes, and fabric products should be flame resistant.  Check for a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal on electric toys.

Research any company carefully before doing business with it. Check out BBB Reliability

Reports online at www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222.