The FBI reminded American shoppers to be alert against scams during the holiday shopping season, noting that thousands of people become victims of fraud this time of year. “Don’t let holiday excitement cloud your judgment! Always verify the legitimacy of online retailers and be cautious with unsolicited offers,” the FBI wrote on X.
In non-delivery frauds, consumers do not receive products they paid for, while auction frauds are when shipped products are different from what the customers bought. Sometimes, online sellers could end up getting scammed as buyers skip payments. According to a 2023 report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), citizens lost over $309 million to non-payment and non-delivery fraud last year.
Attorneys general of multiple states have also issued warnings to customers, reminding them to be vigilant against holiday scams.
