The Better Business Bureau Offers Tips on Navigating Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Friday and Monday after Thanksgiving, are the most popular holiday shopping days of the year.

Whether heading to the local malls or shopping online to avoid the large crowds, the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) warns buyers to be aware of scammers and hackers.  

“People get caught up in the craze of holiday shopping,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois. “Whether it is Black Friday or Cyber Monday it is important to take precautions to ensure that scammers do not ruin the holidays.”

Tips for Black Friday shoppers:

• Research before you shop - If you find a great coupon, be sure to print it and bring it to the store with you. Check out Business Reviews at www.bbb.org to make sure you are dealing with a reputable business that will guarantee the sale prices they claim to have.
   
• Know Store Policies - Knowing the store policies on returns can help you determine where to buy. Many retailers may include restocking fees and shorter return deadlines.
  
  
• Ask for Gift Receipts - Gift receipts generally include a description of the item purchased but do not disclose the price paid. Without proof-of-purchase, the recipient may be turned down for returning or exchanging the item, or risk receiving an exchange at a lower price.

Online shopping tips for Cyber Monday:

·         Shop on trustworthy websites – Shoppers should start with the BBB to check on the seller’s Business Review for customer satisfaction at www.bbb.org  Always look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized “trustmarks” on retailer websites and click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.
 

·         Protect your personal information – Take time to read the site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, it should be taken as a red flag that personal information may be sold to others without permission.

·         Beware of deals that sound too good to be true – Offers on websites and in unsolicited e-mails can often sound too good to be true, especially extreme low prices on hard-to-get items. Consumers should always go with their instincts and not be afraid to pass up a “deal” that might cost them dearly in the end. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

·         Confirm that your online purchase is secure – Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. If there are any doubts about a site, the BBB recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (website address) and the dialog box will reveal whether the site is not encrypted.

·         Pay with a credit card – It’s best to use a credit card, because under Federal law, the shopper can dispute the charges if he or she doesn’t receive the item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on their credit card, and many card issuers have “zero liability” policies under which the card holder pays nothing if someone steals the credit card number and uses it.

·         Keep documentation of your order - After completing the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page or the shopper might receive confirmation by e-mail. The BBB recommends saving a copy of the Web page and any e-mails for future reference and as a record of the purchase.

Don’t forget those less fortunate this holiday season. If deciding to donate an item to a charity or cause, make sure items are in good condition and the recipient organization accepts such items to help further its cause. Find all charities that meet BBB standards at www.bbb.org/charity

For more advice on staying safe online this holiday season, visit www.bbb.org

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Tips for Safe Shopping

Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Friday and Monday after Thanksgiving, have become the most popular holiday shopping days of the year. Whether shopping at a brick and mortar store or online to avoid the crowds, buyers should be alert for scammers and hackers.

Before leaving home to snag great holiday deals on Black Friday, the Better Business Bureau recommends shoppers look both online and in the newspaper for the best sale prices. It’s vital for consumers to not only research what stores have the best deals but also to find out if these retailers are reputable. Go to www.bbb.org to obtain free Business Reviews on any store you are planning to shop at this holiday season. The BBB also recommends shoppers bring the ads to the store on Black Friday and to also become familiar with the store’s return policies.

 “Finding exceptional bargains and deals drives many consumers to stores and online retailers after the Thanksgiving holiday—however, both have their own set of risks,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Taking steps to avoid the fraud in both situations will result in a much happier holiday experience for everyone—except, of course, for scammers and hackers.”

Following are the top 10 online shopping tips for holiday shoppers to help fight deceitful online retailers, scammers and hackers on Cyber Monday and the rest of the season:

1. Protect your computer – A computer should always have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.

2. Shop on trustworthy websites – Shoppers should start with the BBB to check on the seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction at www.bbb.org  Always look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized “trustmarks” on retailer websites and click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.

3. Protect your personal information – The BBB recommends taking the time to read the site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, it should be taken as a red flag that personal information may be sold to others without permission.

4. Beware of deals that sound too good to be true – Offers on websites and in unsolicited e-mails can often sound too good to be true, especially extremely low prices on hard-to-get items. Consumers should always go with their instincts and not be afraid to pass up a “deal” that might cost them dearly in the end, and look up the company at www.bbb.org

5. Beware of phishing – Legitimate businesses do not send e-mails claiming problems with an order or an account to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. If a consumer receives such an e-mail, the BBB recommends picking up the phone and calling the contact number on the website where the purchase was made to confirm that there really is a problem with the transaction.

6. Confirm your online purchase is secure – Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. If there are any doubts about a site, the BBB recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (website address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is not encrypted.

7. Pay with a credit card – It’s best to use a credit card, because under federal law, the shopper can dispute the charges if he or she doesn’t receive the item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on their credit card, and many card issuers have “zero liability” policies under which the card holder pays nothing if someone steals the credit card number and uses it. Never wire money and shop locally.

8. Keep documentation of your order - After completing the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page or the shopper might receive confirmation by e-mail. The BBB recommends saving a copy of the Web page and any e-mails for future reference and as a record of the purchase.

9. Check your credit card statements often – Don’t wait for paper statements; the BBB recommends consumers check their credit card statements for suspicious activity by either calling credit card companies or by checking statements online regularly.

10. Know your rights – Federal law requires that orders made by mail, phone or online be shipped by the date promised or, if no delivery time was stated, within 30 days. If the goods aren’t shipped on time, the shopper can cancel and demand a refund. There is no general three-day cancellation right, but consumers do have the right to reject merchandise if it’s defective or was misrepresented. Otherwise, it’s the company’s policies that determine if the shopper can cancel the purchase and receive a refund or credit.

For more advice on staying safe online this holiday season visit www.bbb.org

Cyber Monday Special

This Cyber Monday, November 29th, several incredible sites, with gifts for just about everyone on your list, are offering online discounts!

Essential Journeys (www.essentialjourneys.com) is the perfect present place for women of any age as well as the eco-conscious people in your life.  Essential Journeys is a handcrafted, handmade soap, lotion and lip lube company.  These are not just beauty products, they truly are beautiful.  And they come in all shapes, colors and scents.  Plus, the lotion is all-natural, the soap is vegan and the lip lube is made from natural bees wax.  On Cyber Monday, Essential Journeys will offer free shipping with the coupon code: CYBERFREESHIP  

The Friendship Stone (www.thefriendshipstone.com) is a unique and meaningful gift.  The semi-precious Tiger’s Eye stone are hand-picked from South Africa.  No two stones are alike, just like our friendships and relationships.  The stones are a concrete and symbolic reminder of the people that impact your life.  The stones can be carried in your purse or pocket, or you can get necklaces.  On Cyber Monday, The Friendship Stone is offering 15% off everything with the coupon code: CYBER  

Blamtastic (www.blamtastic.com) is the perfect stocking stuffer.  The lip balm was created by two young sisters.  It comes in flavors and colors both boys and girls will love.  And mom will love the SPF 15.  Plus, you get a really cool sleeve for your “blam” so it can hook onto backpacks, notebooks, purses and more.  On Cyber Monday, Blamtastic is giving all shoppers free shipping!