Better Business Bureau warns of holiday travel and online shopping scams
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The Better Business Bureau highlighted travel and online purchases as two of the most common holiday shopping scams during a conference Thursday.Travel scams are among the top ten reported to the Better Business Bureau, with the average victim losing over $500 per incident. These scams often involve fake airfare, rental cars and hotel bookings.“They take advantage of that rush by creating fake travel offers, impersonating legitimate companies and stealing personal or payment information,” said Heather Massey, vice president of communication and community relations for the Better Business Bureau.Last year, Texans reported losing over $12,000 to travel scams.Protecting yourself from travel scamsTo protect yourself, always book through official websites, Massey said.“If you do use travel comparison sites make sure the final booking page redirects you to the company’s real domain and not an imitation,” she said.Never pay for these services through unusual means like gift cards, officials warned.“Legitimate rental agencies will always process payment securely through credit cards,” Massey said.Online shopping scams surgeOnline purchases are another major target for scammers, with the average person losing over $70 per incident.Thirty percent of all scams reported to the Better Business Bureau in 2024 were online shopping related. Last holiday season, over 300 reports were filed, with Texans losing $150,000 in just three months.To verify an online retailer’s trustworthiness, look for Better Business Bureau accreditation and seek reviews beyond their own sites.“Do online searches of the product or business names along with the words complaints, scams or reviews and see what you come up with,” said Devin Benavides, director of partnerships and community engagement for the Better Business Bureau.Always use traceable transactions, officials said.“According to our research those who pay with a credit card are less likely to lose money or have a better instance of getting money back, so be very cautious when they ask you to use a digital wallet app, pre-paid money card, or other non-traditional payment methods,” said Jason Meza, senior director of communications and member relations for the Better Business Bureau.Social media warning signsSocial media platforms are also a popular avenue for scammers. Be careful when you encounter sponsored posts or ads, officials said.“Be cautious with that too good to be true deal. That’s a classic warning sign,” Meza said.If you encounter a scam this holiday season, the Better Business Bureau urges you to report it to their scam tracker. Your report can help prevent others from becoming victims.Better Business Bureau Website: bbb.orgCopyright 2025 KOSA. All rights reserved.
