CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office is urging consumers to exercise caution this holiday season.
As part of the office's Holiday Consumer Protection Week, Morrisey says credit card offers are something to watch.
Consumers may see more credit card offers with the Christmas shopping season in full swing. The AG's office says that while it may be tempting to take advantage of the “buy now, pay later” option, it also urges consumers to verify the credit card offer is legitimate.
“It’s always a good idea to verify any sort of offer you may receive,” Morrisey said. “Credit cards can be attractive as they offer consumers the option to pay off purchases over time, but credit card fraud can wreak havoc on finances, so it’s important to be vigilant.”
Holiday credit card offers require a close reading of the contract. Deferred interest promotions may promise zero-percent interest through December 2023, but failure to pay off the entire balance by the promotion period’s end could stick the consumer with an interest charge dating back to the item’s original purchase date.
Before responding to a credit card offer, the AG's office urges residents to keep these things in mind:
- Do an online search if the offering company looks unfamiliar. Include the word “scam” after the company’s name to see if it triggers additional results.
- Call the offering company directly if an offer to increase a line of credit looks suspicious. The phone number is often printed on the back of the card.
- Do not provide personal information or click on any link in an email warning of a problem with the card.
“Who doesn’t love the convenience of online shopping?” Morrisey said in a press release. “Make sure that you don’t inadvertently entice thieves by leaving packages unattended.
"These porch pirates will prey upon any opportunity to steal your joy this season.”
Consumers should consider having packages shipped to their workplace or to a trusted neighbor’s house instead of allowing packages to be left unattended at home. Consumers also can opt to have their packages shipped to a local post office or authorized FedEx or UPS locations for pick up.
Consumers should always require a signature to verify receipt. Video doorbells also have become increasingly popular and, in some instances, have caught porch pirates red-handed.
Morrisey also warned consumers to watch for shipping scams, such as the “parcel-waiting” scheme. It targets consumers with a card claiming someone attempted to make a delivery and asks the consumer to call a specific number for more detail. Those who make the call may be placed on hold and connected to a premium or overseas service that can prove costly and jeopardize personal information.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam are asked to contact the AG's Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or visit the office online at www.ago.wv.gov.