For the third consecutive year online purchase scams were the most reported scam by Nebraskans to the Better Business Bureau. Online purchase scams were considered the riskiest scam type for all consumers nationwide. Nearly three-fourths of reports involved a loss of money.
Spokesman Josh Planos says in Nebraska, online purchase scams accounted for 42% of all scam reports in 2022, up from 39% a year ago. Employment scams (8%) and phishing scams (7%) rounded out the top three.
Planos says according to the BBB Scam Tracker nearly one-fifth of scam reports filed by Nebraskans occurred on a website, followed by phone (17%), social media (16%) and email (15%).
The BBB is providing some tips to help prevent you from becoming a scam victim in 2023.
1 – A little caution goes a long way
It’s easy to kick yourself in hindsight after you get scammed, but if you take some steps to be cautious, you won’t have to. Caution requires a little skepticism, a bit of awareness, and a dash of patience.
First, always be wary about people you meet online. Scammers use dating sites, Craigslist, and other sites to reach potential victims. They may even begin to feel like a friend or even a romantic partner, but this is all part of a plan to get them to trust you.
Fake emails are something to be aware of. Don’t click on links or open attachments in your junk mail. If you see an email from Amazon, make sure it’s actually from Amazon and not an email address pretending to be Amazon.
Scammers can also pressure you to act quickly, which can disarm you. They typically try to make you think something is in short supply or available for a limited time. So, it’s no surprise that you may feel rushed to act. This is when you need to resist that pressure. You won’t make smart choices if you rush through the thought process.
Finally, don’t believe everything you see. If it seems too good to be true, chances are, it likely is.
2 – Sharing is not always caring
Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has gotten in touch with you unsolicited. Whether by phone, email, or social media, never give your social security number, passport number, credit card information, or even your date of birth.
If you post about your life on social media, update your security settings to make them private, and change your passwords on a regular basis. Imposters often get information on their victims through social media and can pose as a friend or family member.
3 – Be secure online
Look for “https” in the URL bar. The “s” means “secure,” and yes, it does make a difference! There should also be a small lock icon in the address bar.
Look up any website from which you’re purchasing and read reviews on their service and their products. Check out what the Better Business Bureau has to say about them. If they have a brick-and-mortar location and you can find a phone number, even better.
Never send money via gift card or wire transfer to someone you have never met in person. These cannot be traced, but they are just as good as cash. If someone insists you do so, this is a scam, and you need to get out of the situation immediately and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
Reject cash-only deals, high upfront payments, and high-pressure sales tactics. Read any small print you need to and understand any terms you are agreeing to.
