BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The BBB is warning about a new online shopping scam where you are tricked to give your credit card information for something that looks like a legitimate purchase. When you go to buy your items, your card is then declined at checkout.
Carl Bates is the president and CEO of the Birmingham BBB. He said this scam becomes more prevalent around events like Target Circle Week, which starts Sunday, and Amazon Prime Days. He said scammers put up fake websites to confuse customers.
“You put in your personal information, you buy an item that you want, you then put in your credit card, all of your information about your credit card,” Bates said. “You hit send to buy the merchandise, and your credit card is declined.”
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He said after this, you may try another card, and it is also declined. Eventually, you call your credit card company. It tells you that you did spend money, and nothing is wrong with your card. Bates said the purchase amount may be more than what you spent online. Then, you realize you got scammed, and that the scammers have two different credit cards of yours and your money.