Top Stories

FBI warning about scams where you buy something but it never shows up

PITTSBURGH — Online scams are always a big concern this time of year. And in particular, non-delivery scams and non-payment scams. These two scams are responsible for over $1 million in fraud claims affecting just under 800 western Pennsylvania consumers this year.

Assistant Special Agent Doug Olson with Pittsburgh FBI tells us these scams are just what they sound like. “It’s as simple as you purchasing something and never getting the item but them getting the money or you’re trying to sell something online, and you ship the item but never receive the payment for it.”

So what can you do to protect yourself? If you’re purchasing items online, remember to do your research about that particular website. Olsen says when it comes to purchasing items online, a big percentage of fraud comes from people using unfamiliar websites. Olson says “Sometimes you’ll see these deals and they’ll be an online retailer that you’ve never purchased anything from before. Do a little bit of research, look at the web address make sure there’s an https in front of that web address to make sure it’s a valid web address.”

The FBI also says to look for online reviews about the retailer, and another resource that’s always at your fingertips is the Better Business Bureau.

And for those who sell items online, Olson says they too can be scammed if they don’t set up the right form of payment. A credit card is the best way to protect yourself. “Request payment in credit card so there can be some verification that goes back and forth. Lots of times you can find information on the purchaser online and you can see if there’s any bad reviews on that individual.”

Olson says he expects the numbers to be even higher, because of inflation, making people even more susceptible to a good deal that could actually be a scam.

And because these aren’t the only scams out there, the FBI Pittsburgh started a 25 days of safety tips Twitter campaign today with lots of good advice.