CT BBB: Shop with Confidence on Cyber Monday

CROMWELL, Conn. (December 1, 2024) — The Monday following Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, is one of the top shopping days of the year. 

But online shopping – even on Cyber Monday – has risks. Better Business Bureau received nearly 30,000 reports of online shopping scams in 2023, a 125% increase. So far this year, 87% of reports of online shopping scams to BBB's Scam Tracker indicate that the shopper lost money.

BBB has tips to help you shop online this holiday season to achieve maximum savings while protecting your personal information and hard-earned money.

BBB Pro Tips for a successful Cyber Monday

• Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company sells the hottest item of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers love to create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. Ensure that your site has the correct business name spelling, legitimate contact information and working customer service numbers.
• Use your credit card. If shady charges appear later, you can contest them through your credit card company. Debit cards usually don't offer this same protection. 
• Understand return policies. Online store policies may change for Cyber Monday offers. Read the fine print before you buy. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for "final sale" or "closeout" items.
• Watch out for phishing scams. Busy schedules and increased purchases make it easier to miss – and fall victim to – a phishing scam. Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, calls, or letters. These messages may claim you have a gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. 
• Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only. Be wary of businesses you aren't familiar with. Check their BBB Business Profile on BBB.org. In addition, be sure any web page you purchase from is secure. Secure web addresses begin with "HTTPS, "not just "HTTP." Never put personal or credit card information in forms on non-secure web pages.
• Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs. Check your credit card rewards program for special point offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays. Make purchases using loyalty programs; many major retailers offer them.

For more information

Visit the BBB holiday HQ.