As Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales draw near, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued a warning to shoppers, highlighting the need for vigilance in the face of potential scams and unsafe products. In a statement meant to guide Illinois residents through the tumultuous shopping season, Raoul stressed that the pursuit of deals should not come at the cost of falling prey to fraud or buying hazardous items.
"My office provides advice and free resources to help avoid scams while shopping for loved ones," Raoul mentioned, directing consumers to his office’s website for valuable safety tips. The mentioned risks include scams involving tampered gift cards, where swindlers duplicate card numbers and drain funds once a victim loads money onto the card. To combat this, Raoul advises shoppers to inspect gift cards for signs of interference or opt to buy those stored securely behind store counters.
Additionally, Raoul recommends checking the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) current recalls and safety warnings before making any purchases. The CPSC's list, which is constantly updated, includes a wide array of items such as toys and household appliances, ensuring consumers are aware of any safety issues. This step is crucial to make informed choices about the products they bring into their homes.
Raoul also underscored the importance of understanding the terms of "buy now, pay later" offers, recognizing fraudulent websites, and reading reviews on unfamiliar online platforms. He warns against giving out personal information, such as Social Security numbers, and suggests using credit cards for purchases to benefit from fraud protection, unlike debit cards or gift cards, which could leave consumers exposed to financial loss.
Encouraging careful and deliberate shopping, Raoul emphasizes actions such as using multifactor authentication, pursuing free fraud alerts from banks, and never rushing into a purchase—a common tactic scammers use to exploit shoppers. Those suspecting they've been scammed are urged to report the issue to the Attorney General’s office through their website or consumer fraud hotline. For more details and the full list of recommendations, visit the Illinois Attorney General's official advice.
