LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The holiday shopping season is officially underway, but before you click on that “too-good-to-be-true” deal, consumer experts have a warning.
As online sales ramp up and AI-driven ads flood social media, scammers are getting more creative — and shoppers could easily get caught.
When big retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby closed their doors last year, fake clearance websites popped up across social media.
One woman thought she’d found an incredible deal online — up to 90% off baby products. But once she placed an order, her credit card was charged and the website disappeared.
Experts say fake ads for discounted Milwaukee and DeWalt toolkits are also making the rounds again this year. The website Tool Guyd warns that scammers advertise professional-grade tools for under $100 — far less than the real prices.
Another growing problem: fake delivery text messages. Some shoppers have gotten texts claiming to be from UPS, saying their package couldn’t be delivered because of an incomplete address.
Other texts claim your credit card has been charged for something you didn’t order — a classic phishing trick.
Consumer experts recommend these simple steps before you shop online this month:
Double-check URLs — look for misspellings or unusual domain names.
Don’t click links in texts or emails about deliveries or orders.
Track your purchases so you know what’s legitimate.
Be wary of huge discounts — even on Black Friday.
If a deal looks suspicious or the price seems far lower than usual, it’s probably a scam.
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