Ahead of the major shopping days Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued a reminder for consumers to be vigilant against fraud and scams. Raoul emphasized the importance of caution while shopping both online and in stores.
"Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of the year, but it is important that shoppers not inadvertently become victims of scams or purchase unsafe products in their rush to chase down the best deal," said Raoul. He urged residents to visit his office's website for advice on safe holiday shopping.
Raoul highlighted specific scams such as those involving drained gift cards. Scammers often steal gift cards, copy their numbers, and return them to shelves. Consumers are advised to check for tampering before purchasing or buy cards kept behind store counters.
He also recommended reviewing recent recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) before making purchases this season. The CPSC lists items with safety warnings, including toys and household goods.
For online shoppers, Raoul suggested researching "buy now, pay later" plans thoroughly due to potential hidden fees affecting credit scores. He warned against fake websites designed to mimic legitimate ones and advised verifying URLs carefully.
Raoul further advised reading reviews on unfamiliar sites and being cautious with links received via email or text from unknown sources. Personal information should never be shared through unsecured channels like pop-up chat boxes.
Shoppers were cautioned about "drop shippers," who may pose as manufacturers but could deliver subpar goods or charge extra fees. Using credit cards instead of debit or prepaid options was recommended for better fraud protection.
Consumers should also exercise caution when using peer-to-peer payment apps like Zelle or Venmo since they lack many consumer protections associated with credit card transactions. Multifactor authentication is encouraged where possible.
Raoul advised checking delivery dates on orders and signing up for free fraud alerts from banks or credit card companies. Different usernames and passwords should be used across accounts for security purposes.
Lastly, he reminded consumers not to rush into deals during sales frenzies as scammers exploit urgency to obtain personal information unlawfully.
Those suspecting they have fallen victim to scams can file complaints via the Attorney General’s website or contact one of several hotlines available:
1-800-386-5438 (Chicago)
1-800-243-0618 (Springfield)
1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)
1-866-310-8398 (Spanish-language hotline)