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Consumer alert: New York State Division of Consumer Protection warns of rise in online shopping complaints during pandemic

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Mon, Aug 3rd 2020 05:30 pm

Online shopping complaints are increasing as more consumers rely on online purchases during COVID-19

Simple tips can help protect New Yorkers when shopping online

By the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is alerting consumers to a rise in online shopping complaints as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, online shopping complaint trends continue their upward trajectory. The FTC reports that, during April and May, more people reported issues with online shopping than any other months on record, with more than half never receiving the products they ordered. Of the 84,000 online shopping and negative review complaints reported to the FTC in the second quarter of 2020, New Yorkers reported over 4,400 complaints and 75% resulted in monetary loss.

“As New York state continues it data-driven, phased-in approach to reopening, many of us continue to stay at home as much as possible. Finding the items we need such as masks, gloves or hand sanitizers may be difficult at our local stores, making online shopping more appealing,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, who oversees the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. “Online shopping offers convenience and keeps us safe at home during these trying times, but we must be careful to whom we give our hard-earned money, especially online.”

Below are tips for New Yorkers to help keep protect your online purchases: 

•Know Your Rights: The Federal Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (the Mail Order Rule) of 1975, updated in 2014 to include online orders, applies to merchandise sold to consumers online, by mail or by phone. It states one’s order must be delivered within 30 days unless otherwise stated. If there is a delay, one must be notified. If the company cannot reach the buyer to obtain their consent to the delay, they must, without being asked, promptly refund all the money that person paid for the unshipped merchandise.

•Savvy Online Shopping Tips: Shop on trusted sites with known retailers. In the era of social media marketing and influencers, consumers are more exposed to sham businesses that advertise a premier product but only deliver a low quality version of the advertised item, if they deliver anything at all. Use caution on trusted sites that host items for third party sellers.

√ Beware of third party vendors. If redirected from a trusted site to a third-party site, read the seller’s policies, review ratings, read consumer comments and most importantly do a broad internet search before making a purchase. Trusted retailers who host third-party sellers do not warranty their sales, thus one could get a substandard product or no product at all when one takes the risk and purchases from an unknown third-party vendor.

√ Do your research if you want to try a new site or retailer. Performing a broad internet search will provide you with important feedback from other customers. Are there any reviews? How is the company responding to its customers? Read the comments within any social media advertisements. This will help you assess what to expect if something goes wrong.

√ Read the product specifications. Online marketing is geared to get you to buy, so it is important to understand the product you are purchasing and the terms of the sale to ensure you are getting what you want.

√ Comparison shop. Search other websites to compare price, quality, return policies, delivery cost and speed. Buying the “cheapest” advertised price may cost you more when you factor in delivery charges in the short term, or return policies in the long term.

√ Protect your privacy. Our devices are generally defaulted to share the maximum amount of data as possible. Take precautions and make changes to your settings to limit the personal data you share.

√ File a complaint. If you are not satisfied with your online shopping experience, you should file a complaint online anytime at dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection, or call the consumer helpline at 800-697-1220 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to request a complaint form. 

•Tips for Using Credit Cards Online: Check the website’s encryption; it’s easier than you think. Before entering your credit card information, make sure the website’s address begins with “https” and that there is a closed lock or unbroken key symbol in the lower portion of your window or up on the website address bar.

√ Don’t keep the credit card on file for future purchases. Provide your credit card number each time you make a purchase.

√ Designate one credit card and one email address for online shopping. This will allow for easy review of purchases and provide protection in case of a dispute. 

•Online Privacy Protection Tips: Protect your passwords. The key to safe passwords is to update them regularly and make them unique. Try using a passphrase instead of a password and include special characters and numbers. If it’s difficult to remember so many passwords, try a password manager with two-step authentication to manage your passwords.

√ Avoid autofill. Saving usernames, passwords and credit card information on your device saves time. Unfortunately, it also makes it easier for thieves to get access to that information if they access your account or device. Reentering important information each time – as opposed to autofill – is an extra step to safeguard personal information.

√ Check social media logins. Many apps allow you to use your social media credential to create a new account on their platform, but when you stop using those apps, your social media accounts still have access to the information. Once a year, check the list of apps that you access through your social media account and delete any you do not recognize or no longer use.

√ Secure your connections. Do your shopping while connected to a secure network, rather than public Wi-Fi or an unknown Wi-Fi server. Public Wi-Fi does not mask any information, even if a website or app seems secure. Usernames, passwords, credit card and account information can be easily seen by hackers who are logged into the same network. On home networks, keep operating systems and antivirus software up to date with the latest security patches and ensure the network has a strong password.

√ Don’t become the product. Everything you do on your computer or device creates a digital imprint. That information is often compiled, tracked and sold to interested parties to better market products directly to you. This is called “behavioral advertising.” You can shut this feature off on your devices. Go to your device’s main settings and look for the settings marked “Privacy.” You can adjust the privacy settings to your comfort level.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the state’s consumers. For more consumer protection information, call the consumer helpline at 800-697-1220. Consumer complaints can be filed anytime online at the division website, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. Follow the Division at @NYSConsumer or www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

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