BBB: Watch out for online purchase scams

The BBB warns that scammers will find ways to take advantage of the situation by varying product categories, capitalising on what people are looking for online and focusing on the most sought-after gifts such as electronics, toys and other trendy gift items. — Photo by rupixen.com on Unsplash

With online shopping expected to approach or surpass record levels this holiday season, consumer advocates are issuing warnings about purchase scams on the internet.

Online purchase scams now account for more than a third of all scam reports filed with the Better Business Bureau, and four out of five consumers who report such scams lose money, making it the riskiest scam type, according to a recent report from the consumer advocacy nonprofit.