COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s Cyber Monday and consumers are turning to online shopping to find the best deals this holiday season. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of a new scam that con artists are taking advantage of involving shipping fees on some online orders.
The new scam involves phony e-commerce websites tacking on “discreet shipping” fees during online transactions. According to BBB, the extra fee allegedly pays for special packaging or stamps but it’s a trick to get online shoppers to hand over more money.
Here’s how it works:
A consumer orders something online, but before the item can be delivered, the vendor contacts them claiming that they must pay an extra fee for “discreet shipping.”
Some of the discreet shipping incidents reported to the BBB involve hiding what the box contains, whether it be ammunition, vaping products, or CBD edibles. At other times, BBB says the scammers charge the shopper the fee when they mark their order as a gift.
Scammers typically ask for payment through digital payment apps like Zelle or CashApp.
BBB has provided some tips on how to avoid the scam
- Buy from reputable shops. If you purchase something online, research before giving the vendor your full trust. Ensuring a working phone number and address on a professional-looking website is a good place to start.
- Understand how different payment methods work. Different payment types come with different rights and responsibilities. For example, you may be able to contest fraudulent charges on your credit card, but money sent through digital payment apps works more like cash. Once you’ve sent the funds, they are gone for good. Only use safe payment methods that come with protections when shopping online.
- Check the seller’s reviews and ratings. These exist on various platforms, but authentic, verified reviews can also be accessed from a company’s BBB Profile. When reading reviews, look for positive or negative trends and note how the company responds.
- Check for a secure website. Look for the “https://” URL structure in the company’s web address and the padlock symbol in the address bar. These verify you’ve got a secure connection and encryption of your data. More information on website security.