BBB offers tips to combat toy scams

The Better Business Bureau is urging shoppers to be extra vigilant this Christmas season. The organization says toys are just one of over 400 different product categories that have been targeted by scammers. How the scam works is consumers are searching for the hottest toys in store but they are all sold out. Quick searches online for these popular toys have brought consumers to pages where the toy is miraculously in stock. What results is a scam. Wes Lafortune, the Media and Communications Specialist for the Better Business Bureau of southern Alberta and East Kootenay, says to watch out for these toy scams. Lafortune outlined some tips for shoppers on how to avoid these scams.

Tips to avoid toy scams

• Only buy toys from reputable stores and websites. The best way to avoid getting scammed when purchasing toys is to buy them directly from a seller you know and trust.
• Don’t be fooled by extra-low prices. Unreasonably low prices are a red flag for a scam on many products. Avoid making a purchase from a retailer you aren’t familiar with just because the price sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

• Research before you buy. If a company seems legitimate but you aren’t familiar with it, be extra careful with your personal information. Before offering up your name, address, and credit card information, make sure the company has a working customer service number.

You can report scams to the Better Business Bureau scam tracker website here https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker