Columbia, S.C. – As the Christmas holiday approaches, many are searching for the best deals. Black Friday is coming up right after Thanksgiving, providing the best deals for your holiday shopping needs. Here are a few things you should know when shopping to keep you safe from being scammed.
Read the fine print:
- Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off the purchase but could exclude certain deals or items such as “doorbusters.”
- Watch out for companies boasting a high percentage off; the item may be “75% off,” but the original price could be inflated.
- Carefully check the price tags, terms and conditions. See if competitors have the item at a better price or have a better return policy.
“Scammers are serving up more convincing schemes than ever before,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “Before you hand over your hard-earned money, take a moment to verify who you’re dealing with. A quick check can keep your savings off the fraudster’s menu.”
According to the National Retail Federation, in 2024, the weekend saw an estimated 197 million shoppers. Black Friday, traditionally the single busiest shopping day of the year, arrives a little late this year on November 28th, with many stores advertising Black Friday prices earlier in the week.
Check the reviews:
- If you’re not familiar with the retailer, visit BBB.org to check their complaints and reviews history.
- Read product reviews on extremely discounted items.
“We always caution people anytime before they click on an ad to hover over it, and it will tell you where the specific ad is going, and if it looks like a URL you’ve never seen before that can be a red flag,” said Juliana O’Rork, Vice President of Marketing, Communication & Business Development for the Better Business Bureau.
