The long lines for the newest iPhone showed
that consumers are still willing to wait for the latest and greatest electronic
device. However, many prefer to skip the line and jump online to find good
discounts on electronics and other items. But before you do, Better
Business Bureau is warning online shoppers to beware of questionable
advertisements and phony websites.
BBB received six times more complaints nationally against
online retailers in 2012 than 2011 – from 62 in 2011 to 347 complaints in 2012.
Most consumers allege they were charged undisclosed fees and taxes, while
others claim they were charged for a product they later discovered was out of
stock and undeliverable.
When considering the purchase of an electronic device or
any item from an online retailer, it’s important for consumers to do their
research. Make sure the price advertised is specifically for the device you
want and not just a similar version. Also, remember that not all websites are
legitimate. Ensure the site is secure by looking for the “s” in https when
entering your payment information.
BBB advises consumers to also look out for the following
when planning to do business with an online retailer:
1) Advertised
prices are much lower than retail. Everyone is looking for a
bargain on electronics and scammers use tantalizingly low prices to lure
victims in. If the prices for items are well below those of trusted
competitors, be prepared to walk away.
2) Spelling and
grammar. Many phony electronics websites are created by scammers overseas
and you can spot them because they usually contain spelling and grammar
mistakes.
3) Payment via wire
transfer only. Scammers often ask
victims to wire payments because the money cannot be easily tracked or
retrieved in the case of fraud. BBB recommends always using a credit card to
pay for electronics online. If the website turns out to be fraudulent, you can
dispute the charge with your credit card company.
4) Lack of
information. Always try to find a seller’s physical address, not just a
P.O. Box and phone number. Research the company’s name and website for
additional information. Check bbb.org for
detailed information about the company including owner information and history
of complaints.
5) Fraudulent
security seals. When shopping
online, you want to look for the seals of trusted organizations and confirm
that the business’s use of the seal is legitimate. You can typically do this by
clicking on the seal which, if legitimate, will link you to a confirmation page
on the certifying organization’s site. For BBB Accredited Businesses using the
dynamic seal on their website, the clickable link will direct the consumer back
to the company’s BBB Business Review.
How often do you shop online for business or personal reasons?
How often do you shop online for business or personal reasons?
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