Georgia attorney general warns holiday shoppers to protect themselves
Before shopping for the holidays, Georgia customers should take precautions against fraud, rip-offs and identity theft.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr says the prevalence of online gift buying makes it more important than ever for customers to safeguard their wallets and identities. He provided several tips:
Shoppers should consider using credit cards, which provide refunds for defective items and fraudulent purchases. Gifts bought with cash, checks or debit cards don’t provide the same protection. Customers should also check their credit card and bank accounts frequently to ensure transactions are accurate.
In addition, Carr suggests that customers avoid online scams by shopping with reputable, well-known websites and checking out companies with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. Shoppers should also compare prices to make sure that advertised discounts are actually a good deal.
About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
