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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 8, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 ), TikTok ( 9 ), TikTok Shop   

  BBB warns against buying from TikTok Shop 

  

  By Greg Collier

  TikTok Shop is a feature within the TikTok app that allows users to browse and purchase products directly from TikTok creators’ videos. It enables creators to tag products in their videos, making it easier for viewers to discover and buy items they see in the content. This feature helps creators monetize their content and provides users with a seamless shopping experience without leaving the app.

  Scammers may exploit TikTok Shop in various ways to deceive users and conduct fraudulent activities. They might create fake listings for products that don’t exist or are of poor quality. They may also use enticing images and descriptions to lure users into making purchases. Some scammers may sell counterfeit versions of popular products through TikTok Shop, tricking users into buying items that are not authentic.

  Scammers might even pose as legitimate sellers on TikTok Shop and convince users to make payments outside the platform, bypassing TikTok’s security measures. Once the payment is made, the scammer disappears without delivering the product.

  Recently, the Better Business Bureau issued a cautionary statement regarding purchases made through TikTok Shop. A common grievance reported to the BBB involves consumers paying for products but not receiving them. Additionally, consumers express unease over the lack of clarity regarding the entities they’ve entrusted with their payment details.

  The BBB advises TikTok users to conduct thorough research on vendors before making purchases through TikTok Shop. It’s crucial to understand the vendor’s return policy, if available, and to verify their authenticity by checking for verification badges. Additionally, potential buyers should search for reviews and complaints about the vendor online. When making a purchase through TikTok Shop, using a credit card is recommended for enhanced consumer protection compared to other payment methods.

  While TikTok Shop offers a convenient platform for discovering and purchasing products, users should always be on the lookout for potential scams. By staying informed and cautious, TikTok users can minimize the risks associated with scams on the platform.

   

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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 14, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Christmas shopping ( 22 ), discreet shipping, online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 )   

  What is the discreet shipping scam? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  It seems the only news stories about scams this time of year are related to Christmas shopping. To be fair, the holidays are when scams are most active. With so much money being spent by consumers, scammers are looking to for any way to get their hands on some. Previously, we’ve posted about the text message delivery scam, gift card scams including the new gift card draining scams, porch pirates, and a myriad of online shopping scams. Now a new scam has emerged designed to take your money while Christmas shopping.

  It’s called the discreet shipping fee scam, and it is an addition to online shopping scams. In this new scam, a victim may be lured into using a website that isn’t on the up and up. Once the victim places their order, and even pays for shipping, they’re contacted by the vendor. The vendor will ask if they want to add ‘discreet shipping’ to their order. The problem is, discreet shipping can take many forms, but they all want to steal from you.

  For example, if a shopper is ordering something but doesn’t want their entire neighborhood knowing what they ordered. Some examples that were given in that instance would be legal but questionable items like cigars, CBD products, and vaping accessories. Another version of the scam will charge the customer the discreet shipping fee if they indicate their purchase is a gift. Also, if a shopper were to order an item from overseas, they might be charged for discreet package stamps, so their purchase will avoid customs.

  Unfortunately, by the time the vendor tries to charge a shopper discreet shipping fees, they already have the shopper’s money from the purchase, and the shopper may not receive the item they paid for at all. The best prevention in these cases is only using reputable websites for shopping. When shopping online, try to use a credit card as much as possible. Credit cards provide much more protection than most forms of payment. Don’t use payment apps such as Zelle or Venmo, as they’re designed to be used for friends and family. Most retailers will not ask for payment by these apps. Not only should you check the retailer’s reputation by doing a Google search about them, you should also check to see how long they’ve been around to avoid fly-by-night retailers.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 11, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: home shopping channels, impostor scam ( 13 ), online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 ), social media ( 73 )   

  Scammers pose as home shopping channels 

  

  By Greg Collier

  While the majority of shopping from home is done online, home shopping channels are still wildly popular in our digital age. They’re popular enough to the point where scammers are said to be imitating them on social media.

  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about this new scam that is plaguing social media users. According to the BBB, these scammers have taken to various social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, where they’ve taken out ads that appear to sell many of the same items you’ll find on home shopping channels. In some instances, the scammers are using footage from these channels to make their scam seem more legitimate.

  If someone were to click on the ad, they would be taken to a website that is an imitation of the official websites for the shopping channels. While a customer thinks they’re making a purchase at a great deal, they’re actually giving their personal and financial information to the scammers. Many victims who fell for this scam, never received the product they ordered nor did they receive a refund.

  The BBB advises when shopping online to make sure you check the URL of the website where you’re shopping to make sure it’s not an impostor site. If the website belongs to a company you’re not familiar with, do a web search with the company’s name along with the phrases ‘reviews’, ‘complaints’, and ‘scams’ before you make a purchase. Lastly, if the ad is on social media, check the comments for complaints.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 4, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Christmas shopping ( 22 ), delivery ( 8 ), holiday shopping ( 15 ), impostor scam ( 13 ), online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 )   

  New delivery scam in time for the holidays 

  

  By Greg Collier

  By now, many of us should be familiar with the text message delivery scam. In that scam, scammers send out text messages posing as popular delivery services such as UPS, FedEx, and even the United States Postal Service. The text message claims a delivery can’t be made to the recipient’s address, and asks the recipient to click on a link provided in the message for further instructions. Once the link is clicked, the recipient is taken to a malicious website that asks for personal and financial information, so the delivery could be made. In reality, the scammers are looking for this information to commit identity and financial theft.

  This is a popular scam throughout the year, but incredibly popular during the holiday season, when most people are expecting deliveries to their homes. Now, scammers are taking a more straightforward approach by calling their potential victims directly. The callers are identifying themselves as drivers for the various delivery services. The phony drivers claim they have a delivery for you, but can’t find your home. Then, like the text message scam, the scammers start asking for personal and financial information so they can supposedly make their delivery. If you tell them you’re not expecting a delivery, the scammers will try to tell you that you’re being sent a gift from a friend or family.

  The best way to protect yourself from this scam is to keep track of your deliveries and who they’re being delivered by. Most vendors will provide you with a tracking number from that delivery service. If you receive one of these scam calls, but still have concerns, hang up and call the delivery service customer service number from their website. They’ll be able to let you know if you’re receiving a legitimate delivery and its status. Never give out your personal or payment information, even if someone is claiming to be from a company you trust.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on November 1, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: online shopping, puppy scam ( 35 ), Scams ( 1,224 )   

  Veteran taken advantage of in puppy scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A couple from Columbus, Ohio, wanted to get a puppy as an emotional support animal. The husband is a legally blind veteran, who wanted a Siberian Husky to keep him company and provide emotional support when his wife wasn’t home.

  The couple shopped for a puppy online and thought they found the perfect one for sale from an Oklahoma breeder. The breeder’s asking price was $850. Husky puppies typically vary in price from $800 to $2500. Then the couple was directed to a shipping company to arrange delivery of the puppy.

  The delivery company asked for an additional $750 that would be refundable when the couple picked up the puppy at the airport. Then the delivery company started asking the couple for more money. The news report we saw didn’t say what the additional money was for. However, in most puppy scams like this, the scammers will tell their victims more money is needed for things like vaccines, a special travel crate, insurance, and other fictitious fees.

  When the couple could no longer afford to pay any more money, the delivery company would call them and pressure them to borrow money from friends and family. Once scammers find a victim who is willing to pay them, it’s not unheard of for the scammers to attempt to get more money out of their victims.

  By the time it was all over, the couple had sent the scammers $3000, which has had a serious negative impact on their mental health. That’s a detail that is often overlooked in stories like these.

  If you’re looking to add a puppy to your family, you might want to avoid shopping for one online. Scammers often set up legitimate looking websites with images stolen from other places on the internet. If you insist on shopping online, do a reverse image search to make sure pictures of the puppies weren’t taken from somewhere else. Also do a WHOIS search on the website’s domain name. If it was recently registered, that could be a good indicator of a scammer.

  We recommend only using a breeder who is within a day’s driving distance round-trip. But before leaving, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the breeder has had any complaints.

  However, our true wish is that you consider adopting from your local shelter. Typically, puppies can be obtained from shelters at little to no expense.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 11, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: free jewelry, online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 ), social media ( 73 ), TikTok ( 9 )   

  Beware this TikTok shopping scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  There is an old saying that goes, “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see”. That saying could not apply more to social media. In a landscape filled with bots, con artists, and shady advertisements, it’s no wonder scammers have taken to the hottest social media platform to spread their newest scam.

  The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about an online shopping scam taking place on TikTok. According to the BBB, scammers are posting videos to TikTok claiming they’re disgruntled employees of a high-end jewelry store. The scammers say they’re quitting from the store and to get back at their employers, they’re going to give viewers a secret code to get free merchandise.

  The trick here is that viewers are directed to a fake website that looks like a retailer’s website. While the ‘secret code’ gives the viewer 100% discounts for the merchandise, shipping fees will rack up. If someone were to complete their order, the scammers would have the victim’s financial information. If the victim receives any product at all, it’s usually a cheap knock-off. The BBB is also warning this scam could be duplicated using any kind of retailer.

  We say this a lot, but it really tends to be true. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Any outrageous offers like this should be thoroughly researched before committing to making a payment. IN actuality, you should really only shop with retailers who have already gained your trust. Lastly, if at all possible, always shop online with a credit card. If you get ripped off while using a credit card, you’re more than likely to get your money back than you would with a debit card, as credit cards provide more protection to consumers.

  Amazon job scams plague social media is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 21, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: identity theft ( 96 ), mystery box, online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 ), social media ( 73 ), TEMU ( 2 )   

  A TEMU scam that’s not TEMU’s fault 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Last week, we gave our opinion on the online shopping platform TEMU. We advised our readers that TEMU is full of third-party vendors who are getting a reputation for selling knockoffs if an item is delivered at all. TEMU itself has been accused of stockpiling customers’ personal information for less than legitimate purposes. This is all made even more suspicious since TEMU is based in China, where laws concerning personal information are looser than those in the US. However, there’s a scam now going around using TEMU’s name where TEMU isn’t responsible.

  Across social media, ads are being placed where a $1 ‘mystery box’ appears to be offered by TEMU. The ad shows boxes full of high-end items like phones, laptops, and other pricey computer equipment. While TEMU does offer mystery boxes for sale, they’re not being sold for $1, and it’s almost a guarantee an iPhone won’t be included.

  If someone clicks on the ad, they’re taken to a third-party website that has no connection to TEMU. Once at the site, users are asked to enter personal and financial information to receive their supposed mystery box. This is an obvious ploy to use the name of the latest shopping sensation in order to steal someone’s identity and money.

  If you see ads like this that sound too good to be true on social media, they probably are. If you do click on an ad that appears to come from a well-known service, make sure the URL of the website is the correct one. If the URL doesn’t reflect the service you were looking to use, close out of that site immediately, even if it looks identical to the real thing. To best protect yourself when shopping online, use a credit card whenever possible, since credit cards offer more protection when it comes to fraudulent products.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 15, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cybersecurity ( 34 ), identity theft ( 96 ), online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 ), TEMU ( 2 )   

  Is it safe to shop on TEMU? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In case you haven’t heard, TEMU is the latest online shopping sensation. Thanks to their glitzy advertising campaigns, TEMU has taken off in popularity. Social media is flush with posts of people posting their hauls from TEMU. So, is TEMU any good and is it reliable? If we were pushed to give a yes or no answer, we would side with no.

  TEMU is the latest in a string of direct retailers based in China. You may have heard of some of their competitors, such as AliExpress or Wish. Rather than selling items themselves, TEMU allows companies and distributors to sell Chinese-made goods through their portal to customers in the West.

  TEMU’s predecessors, the aforementioned AliExpress and Wish, have garnered a reputation of selling shoddily made or counterfeit goods, along with long shipping times if the item is shipped at all. TEMU seems to be following in their footsteps, but those aren’t the only drawbacks to using TEMU.

  According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TEMU is harvesting customer data like there’s no tomorrow. The BBB says that TEMU is collecting such information as the customer’s name, phone number, address, birthdate, social media photos, and even social security numbers. So how is that different from the major U.S. retailers?

  The BBB is concerned that since TEMU is based in China, scammers, identity thieves, and other bad actors may have easier access to that data. While data leaks do happen in the U.S., there are laws to try to protect those affected by the leaks and admonish the leakers. Many other countries do not have such laws, especially when the victims of such leaks are from another country from the other side of the world.

  In a world where personal information is more valuable than ever, it’s essential to tread carefully when navigating the digital marketplace. While TEMU offers enticing deals and a wide range of products, it’s crucial to remember that convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of your personal data security.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on August 28, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 42 ), Facebook Marketplace ( 58 ), Online Classifieds ( 11 ), online shopping, Scams ( 1,224 )   

  40 Marketplace scam victims show up to woman’s home 

  

  By Greg Collier

  If you saw an and for a used washer and dryer for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $250, you probably wouldn’t give it any other thought. After all, it’s only $250, what scam could the seller possibly try to pull for that amount of money. You’d be partially right, as the scam didn’t take $250 from victims. It only took $125 from victims, and there we’re a lot of victims. A quick estate believes the scammers made at least $5000. And one victim didn’t lose any money but has lost the peace and quiet of her home.

  In the Atlanta area, the aforementioned washer and dryer was listed for sale for $250 on Marketplace. As you may have guessed, there wasn’t any washer or dryer for sale. It was a scam listing designed to get deposits out of victims. The scammers asked for a deposit of half the price before allowing the appliances to be picked up.

  While the article doesn’t state it, the scammers were more than likely collecting payment on personal payment apps like Venmo or Cash App.

  When the scammers would give their victims an address where they can pick the items up, they gave them a random address in Atlanta. This address belonged to a woman who had no idea scammers were using it until people started showing up to her home looking for a washer and dryer. This has been going on for weeks, with at least 40 victims showing up to her home looking to pick up a washer and dryer. She’s even had the listing removed from Facebook, but the scammers keep putting up new ones. She’s posted a sign in her front yard warning victims there in no washer/dryer, and they’ve been scammed.

  Thankfully, there have been no incidents at the woman’s home. In the past, we have seen some incidents where the scam victim refuses to believe they’ve been scammed, and have become belligerent with the homeowner.

  It doesn’t matter what item is for sale online, there can be a scam attached to it. In this instance, the victims paid a deposit before seeing the product in person. We can almost guarantee the scammers had some kind of story as to why they couldn’t deliver the item.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 14, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Amazon ( 103 ), online shopping, Prime Day ( 8 ), Scams ( 1,224 ), shipping ( 5 ), text scam ( 19 )   

  Shipping scams increase in wake of online sales season 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Amazon Prime Day was this past week. It’s become such a staple of the summer shopping season that a number of other online retailers have initiated their own sales which coincide with Prime Day. With so many items being purchased, the majority of shipping companies and the USPS will be extra busy delivering all these packages. This means consumers should expect various shipping scams whether they bought anything or not this week.

  The most common of these scams is the delayed delivery scam. This is where a consumer will receive a text message that claims to typically come from UPS, FedEx, or the USPS. The messages will say that your item could not be delivered for whatever reason. A link will be contained in the message where the recipient will be asked to update their shipping information. More often than not, the phony shipping company will also say there is a service fee involved, and the consumer will be asked for their payment information. While the service fee may be small, it’s really the payment information the scammers are after.

  Scammers don’t actually know whether you made a Prime purchase this week or not. They send out these text messages en masse, hoping to catch a few victims. Any unsolicited text message with a link in it should be treated as suspect. However, if you are expecting an important delivery and want to make sure there are no delivery issues, use the shipping company’s app or website to address any concerns. Clicking on links in suspicious messages could lead to having your phone infected with malware, spyware, or ransomware.