Latest news with #BetterBusinessBureau
Fashion United
6 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
5 Sneaky Online Shopping Fees Consumers may be Unknowingly Spending Money On
The convenience and ease of online shopping today remain unrivalled. As consumers across the world opt for benefits linked to ecommerce, many reportedly remain unaware of the amount of 'hidden fees' associated with it that may silently increase their final bill. To help consumers better understand the costs linked to online shopping, an online platform for prescription glasses, Overnight Glasses, created a checklist of the most common add-on costs and how to spot them, giving consumers more control over their spending. 1) Be sure to check for speedy shipping, rush processing, gift wrapping, and other pre-selected auto add-ons. Online retailers often offer optional extras like extended warranties, gift wrapping, and expedited processing, which can be pre-selected when checking out. 26 percent of online shoppers unknowingly paid for additional services that they did not intend to, by not unchecking pre-filled boxes when checking out, according to a recent survey from Better Business Bureau, making it a must to check these add-ons at checkout. 'People often speed through checkout without realizing they've agreed to optional add-ons,' said Gidon Sadovsky, CEO of Overnight Glasses, in a statement. 'These services may only cost a few dollars each, but across multiple orders, they become a consistent source of unnecessary spending.' Online shopping Credits: Pexels 2) Browse privately to avoid price increases linked to your online activity Did you know that online prices can vary depending on consumers' devices, location, or browsing history? Known as dynamic pricing, research from Northeastern University found that prices on leading retail websites can alternate as much as 10 to 20 percent depending on the consumers' browsing history. 'A returning user or someone in a high-income zip code may see higher prices for the same product,' said Sadovsky. An easy loop is to shop in incognito mode or to use a VPN to hide your location. 3) Check the return policy to avoid paying associated fees Today, it's not uncommon for many shoppers to assume that returns are free or included in the original order price, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. According to a report from the National Retail Federation, US consumers pay over 9 billion dollars in return-related fees annually, as brands and retailers charge for return shipping or ask for restocking fees to cover shipping costs. 'People assume returns are free, but in many cases, the cost of return shipping or restocking can significantly reduce your refund,' warned Sadovsky. Shopping online with credit card Credits: Pexels, Anna Shvets 4) Review your credit card coverage before opting for a product warranty Retailers may offer extended warranties for certain products, especially electronics, home goods, etc. However, many credit cards already include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, or other benefits that might make buying additional product warranties unnecessary. 'In many cases, your credit card already provides purchase protection, or the manufacturer's warranty is sufficient,' notes Sadovsky. Data from Consumer Reports found that 55 percent of consumers who purchased extended warranties never used them, and an existing plan already covered 38 percent. So, consumers would be wise to double-check credit card offers before spending extra money on protection plans they may already have. 5) Read the fine print of shipping terms to make sure delivery is included Brands and retailers often promote free shipping, but it is usually applicable to a minimum spend and may exclude heavy or bulky items and certain delivery countries. Double-checking the fine print before placing an order can help avoid unexpected shipping fees, which, according to Statista, is the number one reason shoppers abandon their cart before checkout. 'Most hidden fees show up at the very end of the checkout process—so one smart tactic is to simulate a purchase before you actually commit,' concludes Sadovsky. 'Add the item to your cart, go through checkout until the final review screen, and take note of any surprise handling fees, shipping costs, or add-ons. Then close the tab and compare it with other retailers offering the same product. You'd be surprised how often the same item is available elsewhere with fewer fees—and this one-minute check can save you real money.' Summary Online shoppers should watch out for pre-selected add-ons like speedy shipping and gift wrapping that can increase the final bill. Online prices can vary based on browsing history and location, so browsing privately or using a VPN can help avoid dynamic pricing. Consumers should check return policies and credit card coverage to avoid unexpected fees and unnecessary warranty purchases.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘An old scam with new tools': BBB warns of fake health products
The Better Business Bureau says scammers are using fake ads for health products to trick customers online. (Pexels/Pixabay) The Better Business Bureau is warning Albertans to watch out for a surge in fake online ads promoting health and wellness products that are either ineffective, unsafe, or part of outright scams. 'These kinds of scams literally have been going back since the 1900s,' said Wes Lafortune, media relations spokesperson for the BBB Serving Alberta and East Kootenay. 'Even before that, it was snake oil. So, it's the same thing — people make these wild claims about health products such as smartwatches that can monitor glucose, or you could lose weight with a pill and go down 30 pounds in a month — really over-the-top claims.' The BBB says scammers are now using artificial intelligence to impersonate trusted health professionals and community figures in misleading video ads. Some use fake endorsements from celebrities or health organizations to appear legitimate. 'It's an old scam with new tools, is how I'd put it,' said Lafortune. 'You might actually get some kind of product that is not worth purchasing, or you simply are being scammed for your credit card information, and they steal it. And, you know, it's fraud.' The organization issued an alert this week, pointing to a rise in deceptive ads that have been reported across Alberta. While many are circulating on social media, others are landing directly in people's inboxes. 'What's happening is people are just noticing a lot of these ads,' Lafortune said. 'This alert is all about getting out in front of it and warning people. They're taking advantage of people that have sometimes legitimate health concerns — and so it can be a serious issue.' The BBB advises consumers to speak with a licensed health professional before trying any new products and to avoid companies making 'miracle' claims. How to protect yourself: be wary of ads promising 'miracle' results or rapid weight loss without diet or exercise; don't trust celebrity endorsements or familiar logos at face value — they're often faked; check product ingredients with Health Canada and avoid items without full disclosure; watch out for 'free trials' that may be hidden subscription traps. research vendors using and read consumer reviews; and report suspicious ads to BBB Scam Tracker, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or your local police non-emergency line. 'You really should talk to your physician if you have a serious health issue or a health issue that you're concerned about,' said Lafortune. He added that scammers often lure victims with promises of free trials or hidden subscription traps and stressed the importance of reading the fine print before buying anything online. 'What Better Business Bureau wants to do is make people aware of these fraudulent activities, so they don't lose their personal information, lose their money and get defrauded,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
18-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana AG sues property management company over Hammond and East Chicago leases
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said Friday his office sued a management company that runs at least three properties in Hammond and East Chicago, saying they put deceptive or illegal fine print in renters' leases. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Lake Superior Court, accuses IBIN Management, LLC of breaking Indiana's consumer protection laws. The company runs three properties on the 4300 block of Baring Avenue in East Chicago, 200 block of Waltham Street in Hammond, and 900 block of 174th Street in Hammond. Various leases tried to stretch how long it would take to give back security deposits past the 45 days required by state law, had renters pay fees for repairs that landlords should cover, let landlords go into the units without notification, or tried to block renters from seeking damages allowed by state law, among other issues, Rokita said in a release. The lawsuit cites three people who rented in Hammond or East Chicago. Rokita said he is encouraging anyone affected to call his office. 'Hoosiers deserve fair and transparent treatment when renting their homes,' Rokita said in the release. 'This lawsuit sends a clear message: we will hold accountable those who exploit tenants with deceptive lease agreements that misrepresent their rights and obligations. Protecting Indiana consumers is a top priority for our office.' The company has received several one-star reviews dating back to at least 2022 on the Better Business Bureau's website. The agency gave it an F rating for not responding to complaints. A woman who answered a listed number Friday for the company declined comment. It lists a Crown Point post office box as its address in state records. The lawsuit wants a legal injunction to force the company to stop its practices, as well as fines and restitution. 'We are committed to ensuring that landlords and property managers play by the rules,' Rokita said. 'We will continue to stand up for Hoosiers and fight against deceptive practices that harm our communities.' Affected renters can call his office at 1-800-382-5516 or go to
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Ways To Avoid Getting Stuck in Free Promotion Traps
If you've ever signed up for a free trial and then cringed when you saw a charge come through your bank account for a subscription you swore you'd cancel, we're here to help. Free trials are not only offered, they've come to be expected in many cases. In fact, it seems like you can get a free trial for almost anything — a quick Google search turned up 24 free trial opportunities, including Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, Spotify, Discovery, Kindle Unlimited, and more. Consider This: Learn More: Some companies even partner with other companies to promote their products or services when you sign up. For instance, Amazon Prime members receive two free audiobooks and a 30-day free trial from Audible that auto-renews at $14.95 per month after the trial, and certain T-Mobile plans come with Apple TV+ On Us for a promotional period. This all sounds great, but it's all too common for people to forget about the subscription only to be surprised by a charge for a service they don't want or need. GOBankingRates talked with Sarah Keish, a financial expert and founder of RBT Practice Exam, and Melanie McGovern, director of public relations at Better Business Bureau. They recommended these four ways to avoid getting stuck in these free promotion traps. Read the Fine Print and Watch for Pre-Checked Boxes One mistake McGovern sees when it comes to promotional deals is you may not realize you're opting into a subscription. If you're not checking or unchecking boxes or not reading the fine print, you may be agreeing to a trial without realizing it. The Federal Trade Commission also warns of this. By leaving certain boxes checked or unchecked, you may unknowingly be giving the company permission to charge you after the trial. According to Keish, it's important to check the fine print — 'particularly the subsection regarding how long the free trial is and when the billing starts.' Trending Now: Pay Attention to Deals That Require a Credit Card If the deal requires a credit card, McGovern said, 'there's a likelihood that there's a charge associated with the 'free' trial.' Keish backs this up saying, 'Just because it's advertised as 'free' doesn't necessarily mean that it won't eventually cost you.' Entering credit or debit card information means that the company will have the means to charge you when the free trial ends, so you'll have to be extra vigilant about cancelling before the subscription auto-renews. Cancel During the Trial If you wait until the trial is over to cancel it, you run the risk of missing the deadline and watching as the subscription auto-renews. Keish recommends you cancel flat-out — 'yes, even during the trial.' 'In most cases, you can cancel the trial whenever you want and still keep access through the length of the time. If it's a 30-day trial, canceling on Day 1 typically doesn't take away your access — it just halts the auto-renewal,' she said. Do a Periodic Subscription Check Keish recommends taking about five minutes a month to review your accounts and check for unwanted charges. Accounts can include your bank account, credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay accounts. She calls it a 'subscription audit' and makes sure her clients do one each month. If you have a lot on your plate, she said that there are programs like Rocket Money or Trim that can scan your accounts for subscriptions and then help you cancel any unwanted ones. If charges show up that you disagree with, the Better Business Bureau recommends disputing the charge with the company directly, and if that doesn't work, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 This article originally appeared on 4 Ways To Avoid Getting Stuck in Free Promotion Traps
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Fraudsters impersonating businesses going bankrupt: BBB
The Better Business Bureau says scammers are taking advantage of businesses in financial turmoil in an attempt to steal personal information. (Pexels/Ekaterina Belinskaya) Scammers are trying another new ploy by using recent bankruptcies and 'going out of business' sales to steal personal data from victims. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says as some high profile and even lesser known retail outlets have recently closed, scammers are also paying attention to the proceedings and crafting fake websites to trick consumers. Officials say the websites use 'advertising that spoofs legitimate businesses' while also creating entirely new and fraudulent businesses to steal from victims. 'Their entire motivation is to steal your credit card and personal information to commit fraud,' said Mary O'Sullivan-Andersen, president and CEO of BBB serving Alberta and East Kootenay. The BBB says the scam usually begins with a post on social media about a business closing its doors. When users click the ad, they are taken to the fake website that looks identical to the original website, but the merchandise is listed at deep, too-good-to-be-true discounts. When items are 'purchased', scammers now have access to the victim's personal information. 'The other variation of this scam are ads and websites being created about completely fictitious businesses,' said O'Sullivan-Andersen. 'The end result is the same - credit card information is entered and money stolen.' To protect against these scams, the BBB offers the following advice: Confirm the website's URL; Instead of clicking on links, go to the business' real website; Use credit cards for online purchases as they possess fraud protection debit cards don't; and Be aware of what information is being requested, especially when that data is not used for sales, such as social insurance numbers. More consumer safety tips can be found online on the BBB website.
