How to avoid online shopping scams: 5 tips for safe purchases [Video]

The holiday season is upon us and that means many Americans will shop for gifts online.

More than 80% of people who reported online purchase scams in 2023 also said they lost money, according to the BBB. 

We compiled five key tips to help you avoid online shopping scams. 

THE SOURCES

WHAT WE FOUND

1. Research any online retailers:

If you’re buying from any online retailer, the BBB recommends that you do your research before making a purchase. 

The FTC and AARP recommend searching for the company’s name in a search engine like Google using words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint” to see what other people are saying about their experience with a seller. If the company is scamming people, you’ll likely see negative reviews from other shoppers. 

Other places to check for complaints about a …