Don’t get scammed shopping for the must-have toys

Don't get scammed shopping for the must-have toys

By Greg Collier

We didn’t want to start talking about Christmas shopping yet, either. But if you want to get one of the must-have toys of the season for your kids or your grandkids, you probably want to get a jump on things now. Plus, it’s better to be aware of how the scams work now before it’s too late into the holiday season.

Scammers love to take advantage of items that are in high demand. If they’re not scalping the item for an exorbitant mark-up, they’re selling knock-offs, or not selling anything at all.

When items are in high demand, scammers will set up websites that look like they’re a legitimate marketplace where you can buy these items. They’ll often advertise the items at below-market value to entice customers to their website, typically on social media. Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest is where you’ll usually find these ads.

If you go to one of these websites thinking you’re getting a deal on these toys, you’ll be mistaken. What typically happens is either the scammers will send you a cheap imitation of the toy you’re looking for, or they’ll take your money and disappear.

There are ways to protect yourself from these Grinches. Try to stick to reputable and known retailers. If you think you’ve found a deal from an unknown retailer, do a Google search on the name of the retailer along with the words ‘scam’, ‘complaints’, and ‘reviews’. This should give you a good indication if the retailer is legitimate.

You should also do a whois search on the retailer’s domain name. This should let you know when the website was created and where it’s located. You’ll probably want to avoid any retailers from overseas.

Even if you’re using a reputable retailer’s website, be on the lookout for third-party sellers. On the item’s listing, it should tell you who the item is being sold by. Again, do a Google search on the company to check for complaints.

Lastly, always use a credit card when buying online if you can. Credit cards offer more protection than other forms of payment that can be used online, and it will be easier to dispute a transaction if you’ve been scammed.