LOOKING forward to the holidays? So are the scammers.
As many begin to make their holiday gift list and charity donations, unscrupulous scammers are gearing up to deck the halls with their tried and true holiday scams.
This holiday season, the Better Business Bureau urges consumers to take the following tips into consideration before doing their holiday shopping and making charity donations:
? Always check a business's BBB Business Review, at mbc.bbb. org, before making a purchase in the store or online.
Make sure that the company has a physical address and telephone number. When shopping online, be wary of websites offering electronics or luxury goods at prices that are too good to be true.
? If you shop Craigslist or other free bulletin board sites, look for local sellers and conduct transactions in person.
Bring a friend if you're uncomfortable meeting the seller alone. Never wire money as payment. If you're shopping on auctions, look at seller ratings and read their reviews.
? Don't let yourself get bogged down in purchases or lose track of your wallet.
Know where your credit and debit cards are at all times and cover the keypad when entering your PIN while purchasing items or getting money from an ATM.
? Think before you give.
Door-to-door solicitations for donations are common this time of year, but when an unfamiliar organization comes knocking asking you for a donation, don't give without gathering details. Ask for the charity's name and address and get full identification from the solicitor and review it carefully.
