With a Nationwide backlog at shipping ports and increased scam opportunities, Attorney Generalderek Schmidt is warning Kansans to be cautious as the buy gifts online this holiday season. He did offer some tips to avoid scams. When you’re shopping online, the AG’s office says to make sure you are dealing with a trusted seller. If you’re considering buying from a website you’ve never used before, do a search and check reviews on other trusted sites. Do not rely on reviews on the seller’s site as they could be just as fake as the product they are selling.
Second, check to see if the sight is secure. Many browsers display a lock icon to show the site is secure. You can also check the site’s URL by ensuring it begins with HTTPS not just HTTP. Next, pay with a credit card and be sure to protect your personal information. A red flag for a fraudulent transaction is one that asks you to wire payment or use a third-party gift card. Finally, make sure you know what you are buying. If new products are being sold at prices that sound too good to be true… it probably is. This could indicate the item is counterfeit, knock-off or stolen.
