Back-to-School Shopping Safety - Shop Smart, Stay Secure
🎒🛒 BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING SAFETY - SHOP SMART, STAY SECURE
Back-to-school shopping is one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, making it a prime time for scammers. Fake online stores, misleading ads, and fraudulent deals can trick shoppers into paying for items that never arrive or handing over personal and financial information. A few extra precautions can help keep your shopping - and your money - safe.
💬 COMMON SCHEMES SCAMMERS USE:
Fake websites advertising deep discounts on school supplies, laptops, and backpacks.
Social media ads linking to fraudulent online stores.
Counterfeit products sold as brand-name items.
Fake order confirmations requesting payment or account verification.
Sellers asking for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.
🚨 WARNING SIGNS:
Prices that seem too good to be true.
Websites with poor spelling, broken links, or no customer service information.
Little or no customer reviews.
Requests to pay outside the retailer's secure checkout.
Pressure to act quickly before the "deal" expires.
🛡️ PROTECT YOURSELF:
Shop with trusted retailers and well-known websites.
Type the retailer's web address directly into your browser.
Use a credit card whenever possible for stronger fraud protection.
Research unfamiliar retailers before making a purchase.
Keep receipts and order confirmations until your items arrive.
🧰 HELPFUL RESOURCES:
FTC: Online Shopping
FTC: How to Avoid a Scam
BBB: Scam Tracker
FTC: Report Fraud
📍 IF YOU THINK YOU WERE SCAMMED:
Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately.
Save receipts, emails, and screenshots of the transaction.
Report the seller to the FTC and BBB Scam Tracker.
Monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
