It can happen when you least expect it Ƶ your credit card is declined! In some cases, you might not have enough money in your account, or you forgot to tell your bank youƵre traveling abroad. But if youƵre shopping online, an error or Ƶcard declinedƵ message may be a sign of a new twist on online shopping scams.
BBB Scam Tracker has received reports from consumers receiving fraudulent charges on their financial accounts after facing Ƶcard declinedƵ messages when shopping online. AAA has also recently warned consumers about fraudulent emails promising a free emergency kit, in which consumers faced similar Ƶcard declinedƵ error messages but were still charged.
How the scam works
YouƵre shopping online and decide to purchase from a retail website. Or, you receive an email from what you think is a reputable business for a discounted or free offer and decide to take advantage. You enter your personal information, including your email address, phone number, and shipping address.
You then receive a message stating ƵYour card did not go through for some reason.Ƶ This is unexpected since you have enough funds in your account. You decide to try another card for payment, but you receive the same message.
When you call your bank, the representative tells you that your cards have not been declined; instead, youƵve been charged more than you anticipated for the purchase and now a scammer has your money and personal information.
Tips to avoid this scam
BBB has tips for how to avoid similar online purchase scams:
Verify you’re shopping on a legitimate website. Scammers build fake, lookalike websites to trick shoppers into thinking they are buying from the actual business. Look closely at the URL (it may be off by a letter or two) and check that the website is secure by verifying you see the “https://” in front of the URL.
Watch out for fake emails, texts, and ads. Don’t trust unsolicited messages, and always verify links before clicking on them. When in doubt, delete the message or ignore the ad, and visit the business’s website on your own instead of clicking the links.
Don’t be fooled by great offers. Prices that seem too good to be true often are. If you’re unsure about purchasing from a business, shop around with other retailers to compare the pricing of the product you want. Get an idea of the actual price of the product.
Research the business. Before purchasing, look up customer reviews online and search the business on . Look for the BBB Seal to verify if the business is BBB Accredited. If you think it may be a scam, search on BBB Scam Tracker.
Use a credit card for extra protection. If you plan to make a purchase, use a credit card. Credit card companies offer additional protection against fraud, and you should be able to dispute any unanticipated charges on your account.
Check up on your credit and debit card protections. There’s never a wrong time to talk with your bank and credit card company to confirm what protections you have on your cards. You can set purchase limits and travel restrictions and sign up to get notified when purchases are made at any dollar amount.
For more information
Read more safe online shopping tips at BBB’s Online Shopping HQ and learn about credit card scams. Has your credit or debit card been compromised? Learn what to do after a data breach and find tips on how to avoid identity theft scams at .
Visit or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, read tips and more.
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