Look for the BBB Seal
Accredited businesses meet BBB Standards for Trust. Click the seal on a website or social profile. It should open that business’s BBB profile on BBB.org.
before you buy
Check the seller first
Run through this checklist any time you shop with a business that’s new to you.
What the Seal means
Read the reviews
Look for patterns in good and bad reviews and how the business responds. Be wary of sellers with low ratings, few reviews or reviews that seem fake.
Find the contact details
A real business lists a street address, email or phone number. If you can’t find a way to reach the seller, treat it as a red flag.
Read the policies first
Find the privacy, return and refund policies before you check out. Look for restocking fees and items you can’t return. No privacy policy is a red flag.
Check for a secure website
The web address should start with https:// and show a padlock, especially at checkout. That means the site encrypts the data you enter.
Question big discounts
Very low prices on hard-to-find items can hide extra costs or sign you up for a monthly charge. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
red flags
Spot a fake website
Scammers copy the look of well-known retailers to steal money and personal information. Leave the site if you notice any of these signs:
The address bar shows a different domain than the one you clicked.
The site has spelling errors, broken links or images, or confusing navigation.
Pop-ups and pushy ads keep appearing.
The site asks for your Social Security number or financial details it doesn’t need for your order.
The seller only accepts wire transfers, cryptocurrency or gift cards.
where you shop
Shop safely wherever you buy
Type the brand’s web address yourself or find it through BBB.org instead of clicking a link in an ad or email. Before you let a site save your card for future purchases, make sure you trust its security. You can also keep your payment details with a secure payment service instead of saving them with each store.
On large marketplaces, you’re often buying from an independent seller, not the marketplace itself. Check the seller’s name at checkout and read that seller’s reviews. Read product descriptions closely, compare prices with similar items and check shipping times; items shipping from overseas can take weeks or months. Pay only through the marketplace’s checkout, never on an outside page or by bank or wire transfer.
Check the brand’s profile for contact information, a website link and a verified badge, and read the comments on its posts. Scammers create look-alike accounts, so confirm an account is real by clicking through from the brand’s website or BBB profile. Use the platform’s own checkout, don’t follow a seller’s link to a site you haven’t checked and never share personal or financial details in direct messages.
when you pay
Pay safely and protect your accounts
Pay with a credit card
A credit card makes it easier to dispute a charge you didn’t approve or get your money back if something goes wrong.
Keep your records
Save your order confirmation until your item arrives. The FTC says sellers must ship within the time they advertise, or within 30 days if they don’t give one.
Use strong passwords
Create a strong, unique password for each shopping account and turn on two-factor authentication when it’s offered.
Keep your devices updated
Install security software and the latest updates on your computer, tablet and phone, and run virus scans regularly.
Check a business before you buy
Search BBB.org for ratings, reviews and Accreditation status.
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