Smart holiday shopping: Avoiding fake reviews and tricky ads

Online reviews at major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart and listing services such as Yelp look like a good place to get first-hand information from people who've tried a product or merchant, but beware: there are networks of fake reviewers paid to inflate ratings for lesser-known sellers on Amazon. — AP

NEW YORK: There are lots of bargains online during the holidays, but also plenty of ways to get scammed, even at established outlets like Amazon.

How can you be sure you're reading a legitimate review, not one coming from a company employee? How can you flag sponsored placements and other ads – and protect your credit card once you buy?