December 2014

Shipping Tips to Just the Facts Avoid Delivery December 2014 Thieves The Naughty List: 5 Holiday Scams and How to Avoid Them With the holidays come seasonal scams, but don't let them put a damper on your festivities.

Check out the list of the naughtiest holiday scams, and learn how to defend against the fraudsters who really deserve coal this year. With the continued popularity and growth 1. Fake websites promising fake deals. Some of online shopping, the scammers will send fake emails or advertisements USPS predicted that the promising unheard of deals for a product leading you agency will likely to a fake website that steals your credit card deliver more than information when you try to check out. Protect 450 million packages to yourself by staying away from deals too good to be doorsteps and true by checking the URL and checking BBB's mailboxes this holiday season. The abundance Business Directory before buying. of deliveries to front porches across the 2. Santaletter scheme. While some legitimate country can be jackpots companies sell letters from Santa Claus, some for holiday grinches. scammers are using this idea to steal credit card and You may have seen the identity information from unsuspecting consumers. home surveillance video When looking for a customized letter, research footage featured on different companies and go to their sites straight national news stories of thieves stealing from your browser, not from emails or social media. packages from homes, but what can be done to 3. Fake gift cards. Gift cards are the most popular stop these reallife holiday gift but also the most susceptible to fraud. grinches? Your BBB has Criminals will go to a store and record the activation shipping tips for code on a gift card. After checking if the gift card is shoppers expecting still valid online, fraudsters can use the online code package deliveries this to cash the gift card for resalable products. Before month. buying, make sure the security code on the gift card Track your packages is scratchfree and look for gift cards that come in Follow shipments from an unopened, plastic container. the seller to your front door with online, text 4. False data breaches. Taking advantage of data message, or phone call tracking offered through breach fears, scammers will call pretending to be the delivery company. retailers asking for personal information to "sort things out." If an incident does occur, the company Be available for will alert its consumers through their website or delivery social media and will not call the consumer directly. Track packages and If you are unsure, call the customer service number arrange to be available and ask to speak to the fraud department. Since you during estimated called the number, you should be safe to give out delivery times, have a trusted friend or personal information if asked. neighbor pick up the packages in a timely 5. Card Skimmers. To steal your credit or debit manner after delivery, card information, scammers will install skimming or ship to your work devices at ATMs or put faceplates over payment address (pending terminals so they can access your accounts. When company approval.) shopping, stay alert by keeping your cards in sight and covering the screen when entering your pin. Request a signature This package delivery feature will likely come with a fee, but without a recipient's signature, the delivery service won't be able to leave a package exposed on a doorstep.

Personalize delivery Schedule a certain day and/or time for your package delivery, including evenings and BBB Tips to Ease the Holiday Gift weekends or provide Return Process specific instructions on where a package should During this season of giving, it's almost inevitable that be placed to keep the you will receive a gift that delivery hidden from either doesn't fit, is the public view. Consumers wrong color, wrong style, or can also request a that you just don't like. package be held at a While most stores adjust delivery center or their return policies during shipped to a retailer's the holidays and allow for a nearest store location longer period of time to for inperson pickup. return an item, keep in mind Fees for personalization that a business is not do vary by delivery obligated to accept items for refund, exchange, or credit. service. To put you in the best position for a happy return or exchange, BBB has the following advice: Use your credit card When making purchases Know and understand the seller's return online, use your credit policy. Most return policies will be listed on a card rather than a debit company's website or on the back of the receipt. card or another form of Keep original packaging. Some stores may payment. Credit card require products be returned in original purchase companies are more condition, unused, or unopened. likely to offer refunds in Bring identification and credit cards. Some the event of theft. retailers will ask for identification when making a return as well as the credit card used to purchase Insure valuable the item. items Don't expect cash back. If you don't have the Purchase delivery original receipt for the item you're returning, insurance to protect chances are you will only receive store credit or be merchandise against loss or damage. Contact allowed to exchange the item. Even with a gift your local police receipt, many stores will only offer store credit. department if you do Read the warranty first. If a gift you received is become a victim of damaged or defective, read the warranty. In some package theft. cases, warranties exempt retail stores from product liability and require consumers to mail the product Consumers waiting on directly to the manufacturer in order to receive presents to arrive monetary refunds, credit, or product replacement. should also be aware of Don't delay. In almost every case, a store will fake package delivery require an item be returned within a specific time emails claiming there is frame. If you wait too long, you may miss your an issue with your chance at returning the item. latest purchase. Attachments and links associated with these phishing scams likely BBB Holiday Hours contain a virus and are Our office will be closed for the Holidays designed to steal from December 24, 2014 through January shoppers' personal and 4, 2015. financial information. We will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2015. Click Here to Visit our Blog Please remember that BBB Business Reviews are available 24/7 at bbb.org/akron, or by calling our automated phone line (330) 2534590 / (800) 8258887.

Quick Links: Our News Center Scam Stopper BBB Smart Investing