If you are worried about the coronavirus in Burnaby and are looking for a face mask to protect you, be careful about buying one online.
That’s the warning Better Business Bureau, which is urging the public to be wary of online scams as they seek to purchase surgical face masks.
“The headlines about the growing number of fatalities have led to an increasing demand for the masks to help reduce the risk of exposure to the virus, even though they were not designed for this purpose and do not actually offer significant protection,” reads a BBB news release. “With several local stores advising of low inventory or being completely sold out of the masks, millions of consumers have turned to purchasing them online. While there are the benefits of availability and convenience when shopping online, this trending demand may spiral scammers, fly-by-nighters and shady businesses to take advantage of consumers.”
BBB offers the following tips for safe online shopping:
- Know the advertiser. While some of the best deals are only available online, consumers need to watch out for fake websites designed to mimic legitimate business websites. Do your research before you shop by checking out retailers on bbb.org.
- Shop with a credit card. In case of a fraudulent transaction, a credit card provides additional protection, making it easier to dispute charges that you did not approve or get your money back for orders you did not receive.
- Is the deal too good to be true? Offers on websites and in unsolicited emails may offer very low prices on hard-to-find items like these surgical masks. Look for and read the fine print, read customer reviews and compare the prices being offered with other retailers. Check the website for the business address, contact information and multiple payment options. If these things are missing, you may be shopping on a fake website.
- Protect your personal information. Review the website's privacy policy to understand what personal information is being requested, how it will be used and how it will be protected. If the site does not have a privacy policy, this is a big red flag that it may be a scam. Also, ensure the website is secure by checking that the URL (web address) starts with “https://” and includes a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.
- Think before your click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media sites. Many sketchy retailers advertise great deals or trendy clothing that either don’t measure up to the promotional hype because of poor quality or consumers simply did not receive anything at all after placing an order.
If you are a victim of a scam, whether or not you have lost money, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others stay informed and avoid similar scams.
