Better Business Bureau warning of holiday decorations scam

From Local 3 News: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning of a scam for those who plan to get festive with decorations during any holiday.

How the scam works:
The BBB says the scam happens when people, who browse online for holiday decorations, seemingly think they found the perfect item in a social media ad or search results.

The BBB says the decorations not only look incredible but also have low prices.

After paying for the items, the victim receives a product that looks nothing like what he or she ordered, if a package is even delivered.

The BBB says in most cases there is no way to return the item, get a refund, or contact the company.

Tips for avoiding holiday décor scams:

• Do your research before you buy. Before you purchase on an unfamiliar website, check out the company. Make sure they have working contact information. This should include a telephone number, email address, and, preferably, a physical address. Look on other websites for reviews of the company and reports of scams. You can always look for business ratings and customer reviews at BBB.org.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Keep in mind that large decorations that involve special lights and technology are expensive and may be costly to ship, too. If you find something amazing for cheap, it could be a scam.
• Don’t make quick purchases on social media. Scam advertisers can track your buying habits from social media ads and target you with specific products they think you’ll fall for. Don’t buy anything on impulse while scrolling through your feed. Do research first to avoid getting scammed.
• Always use your credit card for online purchases. Credit card companies allow you to dispute fraudulent charges, a resource you may not have if you purchase an item with a debit or gift card. If you're being asked to pay via wire transfer, a prepaid gift card, or a digital wallet app, it could be a scam.

You can find more tips for safe online shopping at the Better Business Bureau's website and also report scams using the BBB's Scam Tracker.