Online purchase scams continue to rank as the fourth-riskiest type of fraud, costing victims money, personal information and peace of mind. As scammers persist, your BBB encourages you to add a few smart precautionary steps to your New Year’s resolution list to help keep the months ahead fraud-free.
Here’s our recommended resolutions for smart shopping and online transactions:
— I resolve to do research before making online payments and purchases. Research the retailer before entering payment information when shopping online, or if asked to pay online, research the retailer before entering payment information. Ask: Is this a person or business I know and trust? Do they have a working customer service number? Where is the company physically located? Would I be making payments through a secure server (https://….com)? Have I checked to see if others have complained?
— I resolve never to send money to strangers. If you haven’t met a person face-to-face, don’t send them money. This is especially true if the person asks you to transfer funds using a pre-paid debit card or CashApp. Money sent to strangers in this way is untraceable, and once it is sent, there’s no getting it back. Scammers will try to trick you into panicking — so before making a move, think the situation through. Don’t fall for it!
— I resolve to verify unfamiliar sellers before buying. Before purchasing from a new or unknown online store, I’ll check BBB.org for reviews and complaints to confirm the business is legitimate.
— I resolve to use secure payment methods. I’ll pay with a credit card or secure payment platform that offers fraud protection instead of gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
— I resolve to be cautious with “too good to be true” deals. Unrealistic discounts or urgent “limited time” offers are red flags for scams. I’ll pause before clicking “buy now.”
— I resolve to regularly check my financial statements. Committing to review bank and credit card statements can help catch unauthorized transactions early.
Here’s our recommended resolutions for digital and device security:
— I resolve to create strong, unique passwords for each account. Using strong, varied passwords across accounts makes it harder for fraudsters to access multiple accounts if one is compromised.
— I resolve to enable two-factor authentication. Adding this layer of security to accounts, especially those involving finances or personal data, greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
— I resolve to be social media smart. Use privacy settings on social media and only connect with people you know. Be careful about including personal information in your profile, and never reveal your address and other sensitive information — even in a “fun” quiz. Scammers may use this information to make themselves pass as friends or relatives and earn your trust. Also, be careful when buying products you see on social media. BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads.
— I resolve to be cautious with email. Be wary of unsolicited emails from a person or a company. Remember, scammers can make emails look like they are from a legitimate business, government agency or reputable organization (even BBB!). Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
— I resolve to use my best judgment when sharing my personal information. Sharing sensitive personal information with scammers opens the door to identity theft. Never share financial information, birthdate, address, Social Security/social insurance number or Medicare number with an unsolicited caller.
The greatest resolution for the new year: I resolve to educate myself about the latest scams. Staying informed on emerging scams helps you recognize and avoid new fraud tactics.
To learn more about the most significant types of fraud taking place, please visit BBB.org/ScamTips. For more information on ways to avoid scams, we hope you’ll check out BBB.org/AvoidScams.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam or someone attempted to target you, we hope you’ll help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you’ll subscribe to BBB Scam Alerts emails, which will help you stay up-to-date on the latest and most common scams. In the meantime, you can learn more about topics related to the new year by visiting BBB’s New Year’s guide.
Michele Mason is president of the Better Business Bureau in Chattanooga.