Online shopping: How to avoid being cheated

Some of the biggest shopping days of the year are just around the corner.

Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday are fast approaching, which means many people will be trying to get a deal before the holiday. However, there are some precautions you should take before shopping online.

“Typically, you see the same types of scams pop up, like online purchase scams, we have delivery scams,” said Julia Lewis, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau for Atlantic Canada.

Lewis said scam texts regarding packages or containing malicious links are increasingly popular at this time of year.

The Better Business Bureau recommends doing your research before you buy anything — especially if you’ve clicked on ads on social media.

“Fake advertisers will track your habits, and then they’ll present you with ads that they know you’re likely to use or buy, and then you’ll end up receiving items that don’t look like what you thought you ordered.” Lewis said.

The scams are not limited to gifts. The Better Business Bureau said people are also being targeted while trying to buy decorations.

“They think they’re ordering a 10-foot Santa. They receive it. It’s nothing like the picture. It doesn’t work. It’s broken. It’s miniature. We see examples of that,” Lewis said.

When shopping online, the recommended consumers reach for their credit card instead of debit.

“Credit cards have added security features,” said Nova Scotia RCMP Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay.

“If you’re trading on trading platforms or selling platforms that are based on social media, you want to meet the person in person before you send any money.”

For those waiting for online orders to be delivered, it is important to be aware and plan for those deliveries.

“If you’re not at home, you might be able to get it delivered to your neighbour’s house if you know and trust them, or maybe advise someone you know to come over once it’s delivered to pick up your package on your behalf,” Tremblay said.

“Another way is also to have it sent to a safe collection point.”

RCMP said there have been no reported porch hacking incidents recently, although it is still early in the holiday shopping season.

“We experienced an increase last year. I expect we will get reports this time of year as well. Like fraud also for online shopping. This time of year we tend to see an increase in reports,” Tremblay said.