The COVID pandemic has changed how people shop and that’s led to a change in how people are being impacted by scams.
Traditionally, older age groups lose higher dollar amounts to scammers, but with a shift to online shopping, that trend has changed. The Better Business Bureau reports adults 18 to 24 reported an average loss of $150 in 2020, which was the highest average loss for the year. This year, the same age group has reported losses equal to those of people 65 and older, something the BBB has never seen before.
More scammers are targeting online shoppers as the pandemic continues.
“Scammers go where they feel they can best take advantage of people,” said Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, BBB’s educational foundation, which produced the report. “Not surprisingly, scams perpetrated online through websites and social media apps were the riskiest contact methods for all age groups in 2020 – including both young adults as well as older adults.”
During the pandemic, online scams surrounding PPE and pet supply purchases spiked the most.
“Scammers are opportunists,” said Trumpower. “If there is a shortage of a product, or an opportunity to leverage a person’s heightened emotional state – they will use that scarcity or fear for their personal gain. Scammers will also imposter a recognizable and respected organization or brand to get your attention.”
Younger consumers have also been hit with a lot scams involving fake checks, something the BBB says younger people have less experience with. The average loss from fake check scams is reported to be just over $1,600. Along with monetary losses, people impacted by scammers may have also lost personal information that could be used down the road.
To help avoid scams during online purchases, you’re urged to double-check the URL of the site you are ordering from. A small padlock symbol next to the web address shows your connection to the site is secure. Use caution if you browser displays an exclamation mark or red triangle instead. Even if you order from a site that shows up as secure, you may want to do more research into the site or company if you are not familiar with them. The BBB also recommends against sharing information or sending payment to someone who contacted you out of the blue.
The latest report on scams over the past year can be found below.
