Black Friday: How to spot fraudulent online vendors

Introduction

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Many people take advantage of the sales to get a head start on their holiday shopping. However, it's important to be aware of the potential for fraud when shopping online.

How to spot fraudulent online vendors

There are a few things you can look for to help you spot fraudulent online vendors:

• Unrealistic prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of vendors who are offering items at significantly lower prices than other retailers.
• Poor website design. Fraudulent websites often have poorly designed websites with typos and grammatical errors. They may also use stock photos or stolen content.
• No contact information. Legitimate businesses will provide contact information, such as a phone number and email address. Be wary of vendors who do not provide any way to contact them.
• Negative reviews. Before you make a purchase, check to see if there are any negative reviews of the vendor online. If there are a lot of complaints, it's best to avoid doing business with that vendor.

What to do if you've been scammed

If you've been scammed by an online vendor, there are a few things you can do:

• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this online at ftc.gov/complaint.
• Contact your credit card company or bank. You may be able to get your money back if you paid for the purchase with a credit card or debit card.
• File a police report. This may help you get your money back and prevent others from being scammed.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from fraud when shopping online. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of vendors who are offering unrealistic prices, have poorly designed websites, or do not provide contact information. If you've been scammed, report it to the FTC and contact your credit card company or bank.