Better Business Bureau 

While phishing scams are common throughout the year, consumers may be especially vulnerable around the holidays as they shop more and are eager to find a good deal.

Better Business Bureau reminds customers to maintain good judgment when clicking around on the internet.

• Look out for fake shipping notifications. These may look like they are coming from UPS or FedEx and if you’re expecting a package, you may not hesitate to open it. But these phony emails may include links or downloads that will either download harmful viruses or try to capture sensitive personal information. Look for spelling or branding errors in the email and hover over any links to see where it will take you.

• Beware of fake coupon offers on social media or via email. These fake coupons often circulate around the holidays and require you to input your name and other personal information before you can download the “coupon.” These are often set up to capture sensitive information to use against you elsewhere. Go directly to the source to see if they are really offering the coupon you’ve seen and remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

• Shop on legitimate, secure websites. When shopping online, make sure the website you are on is the one you intended to be on and not just a look alike. Type the URL of a store into the search bar directly, rather than clicking a link to take you there.

Check out bbb.org to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, report a scam, read tips, follow us on social media, and more!