RICHMOND, Va. -- Thanksgiving has passed and holiday deals and steals are in full effect.
Cyber Monday has become one of the top shopping days with consumers spending a record $7.9 billion in 2018. But according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), online shoppers need to be on high alert.
"I didn’t really think about scammers taking advantage of Cyber Monday, but now that I think about it, it does make sense," VCU student Savarna Pahari said.
In fact, the BBB recommends consumers to look out for misleading advertisements, lookalike websites and untrustworthy sellers.
Pahari said she is going to watch out for those scams.
"I try to be conscientious and avoid any obvious scams, like trusted brands that people see, but maybe there are some scammers mocking it," Pahari said. "I try to read reviews before I buy things, I think that's really important to listen to other consumers."
The BBB Bureau also suggests watching out for fake reviews by looking at the language the reviews are written in and making sure the reviews have a verified purchase stamp.
Click here for more Cyber Monday safety tips from the BBB.
- Beware of false advertising and phony websites
- Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only
- Keep your antivirus software up to date
- Price check before you buy
- Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs
- Use your credit card
- Understand return policies
- Watch out for phishing scams
