THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 Page 7 BBB Tip: Shopping from overseas retailers T he holiday season is here, and shoppers want to score a deal. You may see social media ads or emails from unfamiliar websites and brands, but they have items that check boxes on your gift lists. You click on the ad, and you’re taken to a website you’ve never heard of before, then you are redirected to another page. Before you click and fi ll your cart, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a few reminders: • Look for the BBB Seal. Check if the businesses you want to shop from are BBB Accredited. If a business has a BBB Accreditation, it shows consumers that the business prioritizes trust in the marketplace and adds a layer of confi dence and peace of mind for all consumers. When shopping online, look for the BBB Seal, the Sign of a Better Business. • Is the retailer based in North America? Does it have a local presence? We know several online retailers operate overseas. Before you place an order, make sure to check where the package originates, the time frames for delivery, and return policies. • Are there extra fees such as for returns, shipping, etc.? Are you comfortable paying those fees, and if you must make a return, is there a fee associated with it? • Check the website and social media of the retailer. Does the website have contact information, an address and a return policy? Head over to the social media pages. Are there comments? Is the page new? Are the comments a little too “nice” and not negative? If there are negative comments, is the retailer responding? • Check the privacy policy and make sure you are comfortable with how the website uses your personal information. If there is no visible privacy policy, that is a red fl ag, and you should consider other options. After you do your due diligence, you will be able to decide if shopping at an unfamiliar website is right for you. You can also ask your local BBB for assistance and check customer reviews to help you choose trustworthy businesses. For more information: Before shopping online, review the https://www.bbb.org/all/onlineshopping and read https://www. bbb.org/all/online-shopping/ smart-shopping-online. When possible, do business with a BBB Accredited Business – https:// www.bbb.org/all/bbb-accreditation-standards. BBB Scam Alert: Looking for this season’s hot toy? Beware of scams E very year, there are always a few “must-have” toys on most kids’ holiday wish lists. The hot toy sells out fast and becomes expensive and hard to fi nd. In 2023, the hot toy lists include Furby, Barbie Dreamhouse, Fingerlings, Bitzee, Lego, Elmo Slide, Dog-E, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem Pizza Fire Delivery Van, and Beast Lab. If you are shopping for a child this holiday season, don’t let scammers trick you into accidentally buying a fake (or nonexistent) version of a popular toy. Watch out for tricks. How the scam works: You are looking for this season’s hot toy, but it’s sold out at every store you visit. You decide to do a quick online search, or you spot an ad in your social media feed. This takes you to a website that miraculously has the toy in stock. The site might look professional and have original images of the product. It might even off er the product at discounted prices, claiming a “lastminute deal” or “fl ash sale.” Unfortunately, many such offers are fake. In many cases reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker, buyers thought they were ordering a high-quality toy. Instead, they received a cheap counterfeit version. In other cases, the products never shipped and the websites vanished. In either case, when the dissatisfi ed customers tried to follow-up with the company, they found that the staff either didn’t respond or refused to provide a refund. Tips to avoid toy scams • Only buy toys from reputable stores and websites. The best way to avoid getting scammed when purchasing toys is to buy them directly from a seller you know and trust. • Don’t be fooled by extra-low prices. Unreasonably low prices are a red fl ag for a scam on many products. Avoid making a purchase from a retailer you aren’t familiar with just because the price sounds too good to be true – it probably is! • Research before you buy. If a company seems legitimate but you aren’t familiar with it, be extra careful with your personal information. Before off ering up your name, address and credit card information, make sure the company has a working customer service number. For more information: See https://www.bbb.org/all/onlineshopping for more online shopping tips. For more tips this holiday season, check out https:// www.bbb.org/all/holiday and the 12 scams of Christmas article – https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23497-thenaughty-list-bbbs-12-scams-ofchristmas. If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma Lawn and Yard Care SNOW PLOWING *REASONABLE RATES * PROMPT SERVICE * PARKING LOTS USA 781-521-9927 money), report it to https://www. bbb.org/scamtracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim. Call Driveways from $35
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