Cybercriminals are targeting parents looking for back-to-school deals

PITTSBURGH — The start of school is right around the corner, and cybercriminals are taking notice, trying to capitalizing on parents looking to score sweet deals online as the pandemic drags out.

With students slated to return to in-person classes and at times, working from home, the demand for technology supplies is reaching a new high.

Laptops, iPads and Chromebooks are taking precedent over your traditional pen and paper.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WPXI apps for alerts as news breaks]

The Better Business Bureau is sounding the alarm, because cyber crooks are duplicating and spoofing sites and offering unrealistic discounts.

Officials with the BBB reminded parents to double-check the website you are buying from and to verify the web address to make sure there is a lock and the “https.”

Parents should stick to big name retailers they know. Technology supplies sold there are legitimate and if there is an issue with shipping, you’ll get a full refund.

Be careful buying secondhand from sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Those products could be damaged, stolen and nonrefundable.

“I think before you buy anything you should probably be very cautious and thoughtful about what you’re purchasing. What do you think? Yeah, cause you never know! Anything could be a scam,” said Jacob and James Winters from the North Hills.

Finally, if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.

‘No vaccination = No service,’ Pittsburgh establishments requiring masks, proof of vaccination