Virginians urged to be alert, smart consumers to avoid holiday shopping pitfalls

Attorney General Mark Herring hopes to give everyone the information they need to have a safe and happy holiday by avoiding common pitfalls and scams that inevitably surface this time of year.

“My team and I work year-round to protect consumers from abuses and to share important information on scams or fraud schemes, but the holidays are a prime time for would-be scammers and criminals to try to separate you from your hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Herring. “I would encourage all Virginians to keep these tips in mind to help make the holiday season safer and to make your hard earned dollars go a little further.”

Retail Safety
Closely monitor all bank or credit card statements for fraudulent activity, and for security reasons, consider using a credit card rather than a debit card. 

If a credit card is used fraudulently, your potential liability tops out at only $50.  With debit cards, your liability depends on when you report the fraud and if you do not do so promptly, you could be responsible for the entire amount.  In addition, your checking account may be temporarily frozen if your debit card is lost or stolen.

If you can, use one credit card to make all your online purchases.  This allows you to easily see if there are charges for items you didn’t buy.

Before you buy, compare prices for the items you want.  Check websites that compare prices for items offered online.  If you buy online, keep shipping costs and delivery times in mind.  Ask about refund and return policies, especially for sale items. Keep store receipts and print out online order confirmation pages.

Distractions abound during the holiday season, so when driving or visiting shopping centers, stay aware of your surroundings, even as the excitement of the holidays builds. Drive defensively and leave plenty of time to account for traffic.

Try to go shopping in groups or with another person, and stick to well-lit paths and parking areas. Be aware of pedestrians at shopping centers, and don’t leave gifts or discarded boxes from expensive purchases in plain sight, like on the curb or in your vehicle.

Online Shopping
Using a mobile device to shop?  Shopping apps can collect a lot of information - your name, address, phone number, email and Social Security number, among other things. Look for apps that tell you what they do with your data and how they safeguard that information.

Don’t shop online on an unencrypted or open wireless network.  They might seem convenient but they are not secure or safe to conduct financial transactions.  Only shop on secure sites that use the URL “https.”

Gift Cards
Know what you’re buying and only buy gift cards from reputable businesses. Retail gift cards are sold by retailers and restaurants and can be used only with those merchants.

Bank and credit union gift cards carry logos like American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa and can be used wherever those brands are accepted. 

Read the fine print to determine expiration date, if any, as well as fees such as transaction, balance inquiry or inactivity fees.

Charities
The holidays are typically a time when consumers may receive many requests to donate to various charities.  Some consumers also like to make donations in the name of others as a holiday gift.  Before making a donation, always check out the charity.