Read into Risks and Red Flags on Hot Electronics

Risks:

1. Fly-by-night retailers collect payment information with no intention of shipping products. Shoppers may face financial fraud.
2. Slimy sellers ship artificial or aftermarket goods, which often hold little value and break quickly. Consumers may have difficulty collecting refunds.
3. Hackers promote enticing ads with low prices on "must-have" merchandise to get consumers to click on malicious hyperlinks or visit dangerous websites aimed at siphoning personal or financial data. Victims may struggle to protect computer files and prevent virus damage.

Red Flags:

• Hot-ticket items like laptops, tablets and e-readers are advertised as "free" or priced way below market value; comparable items cost more on other sites.
• Product photos are distorted and descriptions are lacking.
• Websites are filled with high-pressure pop-up ads.
• Product ads are posted anonymously on unfamiliar sites, blogs or classifieds.
• Customer service representatives do not respond to phone or email inquiries.
• Basic contact information is not posted on websites or other ads.
• Business licensing or state registration is unverifiable.
• Sellers' sites are missing privacy policies.
• Check-out pages are not secure; there is no site encryption or "https."
• Electronic checks and wire-transfers are the only accepted forms of payment.
• Websites trigger warnings from anti-virus software or firewalls.
• Internet searches reveal numerous negative reports from other consumers.
• BBB Business Reviews show unanswered or unresolved complaints.

Find reliable retailers at bbb.org, and before buying online, check with BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington for shopping tips.

Related Articles

05/03/2012 New Phishing Scam Hurts Small Businesses Small businesses and consumers across the country are falling victim to the latest email phishing scam that exploits BBB’s name. The campaign that started yesterday was the second biggest phishing scam in the country.
02/23/2012 BBB Welcomes White House Recognition of Self-Regulation in Protecting Consumer Online Privacy The Obama Administration recognized the importance of industry self-regulation in providing consumers with privacy protections. CBBB's Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program has been at the center of such self-regulatory efforts.
11/08/2011 Accountability Program Achieves Voluntary Compliance with Online Behavioral Advertising Self-Regulation The Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program today released decisions in its first six compliance cases. FMX, Martini Media, PredictAd, QuinStreet, Reedge, Veruta bring practices into compliance.