Internet scam leads to angry customers and response from FTC

Here’s a new kind of scam that is happening in Ohio and around the United States: Websites are claiming to have hard-to-find items only to never ship them out. So far, at least 25 websites have claimed to have products such as Clorox and Lysol disinfecting wipes, but customers have been misled.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that the operators of those websites use marketing platforms and promote their products on social media and search engines. Customers come to them, shop and buy the products that they supposedly have in stock.

The only problem is that these site operators never send the products. In some cases, people who went to speak with customer service or make a complaint went back to the website and found that it was no longer online.

How can you avoid scams on the internet?

The FTC suggests doing a few things to stay safe when you shop online. The best way to avoid getting ripped off online is to:

• Check the reviews of the website before buying
• Contact the customer care team, when possible, to ask for tracking information
• Only buy from well-known sources

What do you do if your website is accused of fraud?

People who do not send products once they’re purchased are committing a criminal offense. If your shop has been accused because items didn’t get to your customers, you could face trouble as well.

To avoid trouble, always get tracking information for items you ship out. That way, you will know if it was lost by the USPS or other mail service, if the customer received it or if there was another problem.