Regulatory agencies offer tips to consumers who shop online

*The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau in their advisories urge consumers to do some comparison shopping before they commit to buying anything online

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As several consumers flock online to find the best deals on the products they have had their eyes on, following the lifting of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions on economic activities in several countries of recent, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has already issued a warning about the threat of scammers.

Each BBB is run separately, and is chiefly funded by its accredited businesses, who often serve on its board.

A study by a business school dean at Marquette University found that ninety percent of BBB board members are from business, according to report.

Similarly, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is publishing its own tips on what consumers should think about when shopping on the information superhighway, otherwise called the Internet.

ConsumerConnect learnt that topping the regulatory agency’s advisory is a plea for consumers to do some comparison shopping before they commit to buying anything online.

The FTC stated this will help ensure that you, as a consumer, are getting the best deal and not buying something based on accidental or intentional misinformation.

Reading reviews for a product can also help you identify potential problems, but the Commission warns that you will often need to do some extra homework to verify any claims being made by potential sellers via the cyberspace.

Alvaro Puig, an FTC Consumer Education Specialist, warned: “Reading other people’s opinions about a product can help you make a decision.

“But some reviews are downright fake or not completely honest. You may not know when a reviewer got something — like a free product — in exchange for the review.”

Be mindful of how you pay and your personal information

Two other focus areas that the FTC says consumers should consider are how they are paying for their online purchases and what information they are giving away when they use a particular Web site or app.

According to the agency’s advisory, consumers should always try to pay with a credit card when they can.

“That way, if you get billed twice for the same item, or you get billed for something you never got, you can dispute it,” Puig said.

When it also comes to shopping apps, consumers are equally advised to realise that it is best to know what personal information a site or service is collecting when you choose to interact with it.

Things such as your name, phone number, e-mail address, or other identifying information should always be safeguarded, it said.

If an app or site has historically been loose with consumer information, then it may be better to avoid it.

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