This Independence Day marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Many have made plans to celebrate, while scammers capitalize on this landmark holiday. Just this week, BBB, Connecticut received a report from a local resident about a fake 250th birthday t-shirt purchased online.
In the past year, BBB’s Scam Tracker has received more than 100 reports related to the holiday.
America 250 Scams To Watch Out For
- America250 imposter scams: Beware of scammers claiming to be affiliated with the official America250 organization or trying to sell low-quality merchandise to celebrate. To avoid purchasing falsely advertised items, do your research. Carefully read the URL of the website and basic information about the company such as location and social media handles. Also, search for reviews and complaints online and through bbb.org.
- Flag-buying scams: Around the Fourth of July, many people turn to online marketplaces to purchase patriotic flags to display in their yards. An increase in online shopping for a particular product increases scammers seeking to capitalize on the demand, often advertising prices far below the going rate. Trust in your intuition and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
- Firework purchasing scams: Many turn to temporary fireworks stands to purchase their supplies. While most of these stands are legitimate businesses, double-check your credit card or bank statement to ensure you weren’t overcharged or your information wasn’t used to make other purchases. BBB recommends paying for fireworks at temporary fireworks stands with cash to avoid scammers copying credit or debit card information. If cash is not readily available, use a credit card that provides additional protections to dispute charges. Be sure to get a receipt and write down the location of the fireworks stand and the company it represents.
- Phishing scams: During patriotic holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Veteran’s Day, it is common for scammers to use patriotic messaging in email or text to entice a consumer to click on a link or submit personal information. Do not click on links if you receive an unsolicited email or text message from an organization. Malicious links will download malware onto your computer, tablet, or phone, allowing cyber thieves to steal your identity.
- Charity scams:Giving 4th is a movement created in the hopes of establishing July 4th as a charitable holiday. Scammers will often disguise themselves as a military-focused charity or advocacy group to convince a consumer to donate to their cause. BBB strongly recommends checking on Give.org to verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating to the stated cause or submitting your personal information.
If you have been targeted by a scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker). Information provided may prevent another person from falling victim.