Q. Prom night is expensive. What advice may BBB provide to reduce expense and avoid scams?
A. Prom can be one of the most expensive nights of the year for students. Before teenagers dance the night away, families need a checklist to prepare for a scam-free evening. The Better Business Bureau warns families to beware of a variety of prom scams, especially when purchasing items online.
Jim Winsett of the BBB. Formal wear, flowers, photography, transportation, hair and makeup are just some prom-night expenses. The latest social media trend is the elaborate “promposal” where students go to great lengths to ask their dates to prom. When setting up “promposals” and other elements of a perfect night, BBB urges consumers to shop carefully. Be especially aware of ads on social media for goods and services.
BBB Scam Tracker, www.bbb.org/scamtracker, has received reports of consumers never receiving items, receiving additional unauthorized charges to their credit cards, or receiving poor quality merchandise. Always start your purchases and hiring by reading Business Profiles at bbb.org.
BBB offers the following advice to avoid prom scams this season: