Rob Gilbert was looking to buy something for himself or a present for his mother’s upcoming birthday after he recently clicked on an online ad for a major retailer.
But when Gilbert tried to check out, he received a message that said “Card declined.”
He didn’t think much of it. It was a new card, but I forgot the 3-digit code on the back. Instead, they used a debit card number stored on their phone to make the purchase.
But it turns out the Fort Collins, Colorado, man’s card wasn’t declined after all.
It was a scam.
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Both cards were quickly used for fraudulent charges.
Scammers who set up fake websites
The Better Business Bureau is warning the public that consumers like Gilbert are flooding in and reporting similar experiences to the BBB Scam Tracker.
Here’s how it works:
Consumers report shopping on what they thought was a legitimate website, or clicking on an email or social media ad that directed them to a shopping website. Customers typically enter their name, address, email address, and payment information.
But then customers said they received messages that said “your card was declined” or “your card was not processed for some reason.”
Consumers often think they made a mistake or don’t have enough funds and use another payment method.
For many people, they then receive actual communication from their card issuer via email or text that their account has been charged for an unauthorized purchase.
Gilbert, who also reported her experience to the BBB, said her first card was declined, but her second card had an order number and tracking number. But then I received a notification that both cards had been charged $74.
His card issuer canceled both cards and refunded the money.
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Other consumers who reported fraud to the BBB said their cards were fraudulently charged $200 and $2,500, respectively.
BBB spokeswoman Melanie McGovern told USA TODAY, “If you’re shopping online and your card is declined, resist the urge to use another card. Instead, contact your bank. Please contact us and check if there are any problems.”
McGovern said if you suspect fraud, monitor your credit card transactions for unusual activity and report them to BBB’s fraud tracker.
Tips to avoid online purchase scams
Here are some tips from the BBB to avoid online scams.
Make sure the website is legitimate: Scammers often create fake lookalike websites to trick shoppers into thinking they’re buying from a genuine company. You can be sure that the website is secure by looking at the URL (it may be off by a letter or two) and making sure that “https://” appears before the web address. please confirm. Beware of fake emails and text messages. and advertising: Scammers often impersonate businesses with fake emails, text messages, and social media ads. Don’t trust unsolicited messages and always check links before clicking on them. When in doubt, search the company’s website yourself. Don’t be fooled by high offers. If the price seems too high to be true, it may be a scam. Compare prices for the products you need and research businesses. Before you buy, read customer reviews online and search for businesses on BBB.org. You can also search on BBB Scam Tracker to see if it’s a scam. Use a credit card for added protection. Credit card companies offer additional protection against fraud, so you can dispute unexpected charges on your account. Check your credit and debit card protection. Contact your bank or research your protections to get up-to-date information on what protections your card has. You can also set purchase limits, travel restrictions, and notifications on purchases.
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook, or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up here for The Daily Money newsletter, free of charge for consumer news on Fridays.