Pam Bondi releases holiday shopping guide for consumers

Thanksgiving is a time for family, dodging political arguments and, of course, the start of holiday shopping season.

With that last note in mind, Attorney General Pam Bondi is out with her 2018 shopping guide to help consumers avoid getting scammed this holiday season.

“My holiday Consumer Protection Guide is full of great advice for making secure purchases online and tips on avoiding identity theft and charity scams,” Bondi said.

“The guide also includes safety information about toys and recalled items to better prepare shoppers to make wise purchases this holiday season.”

Some of the top tips from Bondi include:

— Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online.

Both payment methods allow consumers to dispute a charge if the merchandise never arrives or is different from what was ordered. However, with a debit card, the purchase is already deducted from a bank account and it may take days or weeks for the bank to reverse the charge.

— Ensure that a web browser is secure before submitting payment information.

To identify a secure browser, look for a padlock symbol in the address bar.

— Keep receipts and be sure to understand retailers’ return policies and periods, so consumers can return any unwanted items for a full refund.

As Bondi mentioned, the lengthy guide also includes numerous toys flagged for defects so consumers know what they’re getting when they make a big purchase.

To skim through the guide, click here. Consumers who believe they’re the victim of a scam can call the Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline at 1 (866) 9NO-SCAM, or visit the AG’s website.