(BBB) — If you see an ad for extremely discounted Halloween costumes, beware! BBB Scam Tracker has received a few reports of phony websites offering deals that are too good to be true or fake coupons sent via email. Here’s how to spot these impostor sites and avoid being tricked.
Read more or hear from Better Business Bureau Regional Director Pamela Hernandez below:
How impostor Halloween costume websites trick shoppers with fake ads, coupons, and extreme discounts.
Warning signs to look for when shopping online for costumes and decorations.
Practical tips to protect your money and personal information from holiday scams.
How the scam works
You see an ad online or receive an email for Halloween costumes with shockingly low prices—claims like “overstock clearance,” “90% off,” or “reduced prices.” It looks like a great deal, especially with Halloween right around the corner.
But before you click “buy,” take a closer look. BBB Scam Tracker has received reports of fake websites tricking consumers into purchasing costumes that don’t actually exist. One consumer shared, “fake website- attempted to buy a Halloween costume– took my payment and all my contact information including my mailing address. The payment part of the site just spun. I knew they just took all my info and then a day later I had two charges on my credit card that were fraud.”
Other consumers reported clicking on social media ads promising great deals on costumes and decorations only to find out that they’ve shared their credit card information on phony websites and purchased items that they will never receive. One consumer shared this experience on BBB Scam Tracker: “Sent email stating 90% coupon off all [company name redacted] items. Clicked on it and ordered items. Next day my bank said fraud alert. I called and denied all actions and cancelled card.”
If you’re tempted by these “too good to be true” deals, keep these tips in mind before making a purchase.
Tips to avoid Halloween-related scams
For more information
Learn how to celebrate Halloween on a budget.
See tips on how to identify fake websites.
If you spot a Halloween scam, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker.