Christy Mauch, Interim President & CEO: BBB offers tips for avoiding social media shopping scams

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Shopping online through social media can offer more variety and cost-effective options. It can also be an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of you. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to a scam in 2025 said that it started on social media, with reported losses reaching a staggering $2.1 billion. Shopping scams were the most reported type of social media scam last year, with more than 40% of people who lost money to a scam on social media reporting that they ordered something they saw in a social media ad.

Many social media shopping scams start with a sponsored ad or influencer promoting a product. Clicking on the link they share will take you to a fake website. This website may be impersonating a popular brand or offering a hard-to-get item. You order from the website, and you may receive a knockoff of the product you wanted, a completely different item or nothing at all. When you try to reach out the company, you realize the website has no contact information listed or is no longer active.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for avoiding social media shopping scams…

* Do your research. Always investigate companies before purchasing from them. Search their name with words like "scam" or "reviews" and see if they have any prior complaints.

* Confirm who you're purchasing from. It's easy for fake sites to mimic other online retailers. If the site is missing contact information or a working customer service line, that's a red flag.

* Avoid clicking links on social media, email or text. If you receive a message advertising a deal, always confirm who the sender is before clicking the link. These links could install malware on your device, take you to a phony website or steal your personal information. If you're interested in a deal offered through one of these messages or posts, search for the company yourself in your internet browser.

* Confirm you're on a secure website. The URL should start with HTTPS:// and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.

* Keep your device's software updated and regularly run virus scans.

* Carefully read the fine print noting if you'll be able to get a full refund, there are restocking fees or if the item can't be returned.

* Take the time to read the privacy policy and understand how your personal data will be used. If there isn't a privacy policy, it's a red flag.

* Always use secure payment methods. Use a credit card, when possible, which has added protection in case you need to dispute a charge. Never pay using money wire, gift cards or cryptocurrency. These forms of payment are almost impossible to get back in the case of a scam.

* Save copies of your order confirmation until you receive the item and are satisfied with it.

* If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

BBB can help. Visit BBB.org for Business Profiles on companies you're interested in. If you or someone you know fall victim to an online shopping scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker and the FTC.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 2:42 PM.