The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a growing scam that targets online shoppers. Scammers are creating fake retail websites that closely mimic legitimate businesses, tricking consumers into entering their payment information.

Here’s how the scam works:
When you try to complete a purchase, the site displays a “card declined” message or a vague error. You may be prompted to try again or use a different card. Despite the error, many shoppers report that charges still appear on their bank statements — often multiple times.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify the Website

• Make sure the URL begins with https:// — the “s” indicates a secure          connection
• Double-check the spelling of the web address
• Confirm the domain extension is correct (e.g., .com vs .net)

2. Avoid Suspicious Links

• Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails, texts, or ads
• Always navigate to a retailer’s website by typing the address directly

3. Do Your Research

• Search for reviews or complaints on BBB.org
• Look up the company name with terms like “scam” or “fraud.”

4. Use Credit Cards

• Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards
• Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized charges to $50

5. Monitor Your Accounts

• Regularly check your bank and credit card statements
• Set up transaction alerts to catch suspicious activity early

If You’ve Been Scammed

Report the charges to your bank or card issuer immediately and dispute them. Then, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Sources: bbb.org, consumer.ftc.gov, agewelltn.org