Be Wary of Valentine's Day Scams

As Valentine's Day approaches, you may be looking for a gift for a significant other. Or, you may be looking for that special someone. Whatever the case may be, the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation wants you to be aware of Valentine's Day scams.

Flowers

Valentine's Day is the most popular time of the year to buy flowers. Price increases are commonplace, so to get the best deal, place your order as early as possible.

• If you order flowers online, be sure that the florist's location and all fees are disclosed before making the purchase. Some companies advertise themselves as local florists when they are really third-party telemarketers with no experience in the floral industry.
• Ask family and friends for referrals.
• Ask the florist for a satisfaction guarantee.
• Pay by credit card. If there is a problem with your order, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company.

eCard Phishing Scams/Spam Emails

Be careful opening a Valentine's Day eCard on the web! It could really be a phishing scheme designed to infect your computer with malware or obtain your personal information (i.e. credit card number, bank account number, etc.). Only open emails and attachments from people you know and trust. If you believe you are a victim of a phishing scam, contact the Attorney General's Office (phone: 617- 727-8400, website: Attorney General's Office) or the Federal Trade Commission (phone: 877-FTC-HELP, website: Federal Trade Commission ).

Online Dating

Proceed with caution if you meet someone through an online dating service. Scam artists often create fake profiles to lure vulnerable people into revealing their personal information.

Be wary of "free" dating sites. These sites may have less monitoring and protection for subscribers.

Have a safe and happy Valentine's Day! Before you shop for Valentine's Day or anytime, visit the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation's website to learn more about your Shopping Rights.

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