West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey urges consumers to be extra cautious as they shop online during the holiday season.
The advice comes as part of the Attorney General’s Holiday Consumer Protection Week.
“Online shopping makes it so easy to find the perfect gifts for those we love with just the click of a mouse or the tap of the screen,” Morrisey said. “Consumers need to exercise extra caution when shopping online because this is the time of year when scammers try to take advantage of increased consumer activity.
“Shoppers need to keep a few things in mind as they buy gifts online for family and friends.”
One of the first things consumers need to do is check to make sure that the online retailer is legitimate. A little research goes a long way. Read reviews for not only the item but also the company and how they handle customer service. Look for reviews to ensure the retailer is reputable.
Consumers need to double-check the delivery date before checking out. If no date is provided, the retailer has 30 days to ship. If consumers are notified about a delay in shipping, a person has the right to cancel the order for a full refund. Cancel the order quickly so one won’t be billed or so one can be refunded sooner.
Use credit cards rather than debit cards when possible. Credit cards provide protection for consumers if goods or services do not arrive as promised and debit cards do not; they are no different than cash and provide no special protection.
Consumers should rely upon secure payment systems and make sure any payment website starts with “https://” as the “s” indicates a secure page.
Track the package until it is in one’s possession. Keep a receipt in case the item is damaged or does not arrive as promised. Consider having the package held at the post office or delivered to one’s workplace or a trusted family member or friend’s house if a person knows one will not be home when the package is delivered. The holidays are prime time for “porch pirates” who steal packages from consumer’s porches, stoops, and mailboxes.
Some companies offer their own secure locations where the merchandise can be delivered. This protects a person from having some Grinch steal one’s holiday cheer from the doorstep.
These tips will help consumers put a bow on their holiday shopping and have a safer, more secure experience.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or file a complaint online at www.ago.wv.gov.
