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If you plan to get festive with your Halloween, Christmas, or other holiday decorations, keep your eyes open for this scam. Each year, BBB Scam Tracker receives complaints during the holiday season about false advertisements and phony promises for holiday decor.
How the scam works
You are searching online for some holiday decorations for your home or lawn. You find the perfect item through a social media ad or a search result. The photos on the website look great! The decorations are larger-than-life with incredible lights and features and, best of all, low prices.
You make your payment and wait for the decorations to arrive. However, when your package is delivered, the product is nothing like what you saw online. Instead, it’s a poorly manufactured miniature version of what you thought you bought. In many cases, you may not receive the items at all. You now don't have a way to return the items or receive a refund. In fact, you probably won’t even be able to contact the company.
One consumer reported the following experience: “I ordered some very large Halloween displays at a great price. After more than expected and several emails they said my order was shipped. I found tracking # and tracked it to a very small town in NC and the package had been delivered to a mailbox via USPS. These would not fit in a mailbox and the company will not refund until the merchandise is returned." This consumer reported losing $98.
How to avoid holiday décor scams
- Do your research before you buy. Before you purchase on an unfamiliar website, check out the company. Make sure they have working contact information. This should include a telephone number, email address, and, preferably, a physical address. Look on other websites for reviews of the company and reports of scams. You can always look for business ratings and customer reviews on BBB.org.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Keep in mind that large decorations that involve special lights and technology are expensive and may be costly to ship, too. If you find something amazing for cheap, it could be a scam.
- Don’t make quick purchases on social media. Scam advertisers can track your buying habits from social media ads and target you with specific products they think you’ll fall for. Don’t buy anything on impulse while scrolling through your feed. Do research first to avoid getting scammed.
- Always use your credit card for online purchases. Credit card companies allow you to dispute fraudulent charges, a resource you may not have if you purchase an item with a debit or gift card. If you're being asked to pay via wire transfer, a prepaid gift card, or a digital wallet app, it could be a scam.
For more information
Review the BBB Tip: Shop Safe and Shop Smart this Holiday Season for more ways to protect yourself from scams during holiday shopping.
If you're looking to purchase an artificial Christmas tree online, read BBB's tips and stay alert for common Christmas tree scams.
Visit BBB's Online Shopping HQ for tips on how to stay safe when shopping online.
If you spot a scam, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others recognize a scam before they fall victim.