The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips this holiday season on finding seasonal jobs and shopping Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
AVOIDING HOLIDAY JOB SCAMS
Retailers and shippers traditionally hire seasonal workers to fulfill holiday shoppers’ demands whether online or in person. These jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, they are not all what they seem.
When looking for something part-time or to fill the gap until a better opportunity comes along, the Better Business Bureau has some suggestions to make the seasonal job hunt successful.
According to the 2022 BBB Scam Tracker Risk report, employment scams rose to the second riskiest in 2022. Being proactive in finding the right opportunity is key but so is watching out for a job that just seems too good to be true.
Employers will never ask for payment upfront for a job. Beware of businesses that ask applicants to pay for job supplies, application or training fees. These expenses are the employer’s responsibility and asking for money is a big red flag that something is wrong.
Be wary of job offers that do not require an interview. Even during the peak hiring season reputable companies prefer to talk to top job candidates before hiring them. If a job offer is presented without an interview (on the phone or in person) or is offered only via the internet, question the company’s hiring practices and do a little more digging.
Be wary of big money for small jobs. If an employer promises outrageously good wages for simple tasks such as reshipping packages, stuffing envelopes or answering phones, this is a red flag. These too-good-to-be-true offers are an attempt to steal your personal information from a fake job application, and can cause problems for you for a long time.
Never work for a company before being hired. A legitimate company will not ask potential applicants to complete complex projects before making an official offer. Before beginning any work, request an offer letter or written confirmation of what the job entails, including an official start date and compensation details.
TIPS TO SHOP BLACK FRIDAY DEALS
Black Friday, traditionally the single busiest shopping day of the year, arrives a little earlier this year, with many stores already advertising Black Friday prices.
Instead of setting an alarm to brave crowds for deeply discounted items, dedicated shoppers are expected to look for deals online, similar to last year, if they have not already finished their holiday shopping.
Changes, such as shipping delays, hiring challenges and microchip shortages, are impacting how people will shop. Retail experts predict higher-than-normal store crowds and increased spending percentages on gifts, decorations and other holiday-related items.
To make the most of Black Friday deals, start with a list of items and use sale flyers and promotions to determine which store has the best price. Set a budget and stick with it before heading out.
Read the fine print. Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off the purchase, but could exclude certain deals or items such as “door-busters.”
Watch for companies boasting a high percentage off; the item may be “75% off,” but the original price could be inflated. Carefully check the price tags, terms and conditions. Research online using a secure wifi connection to see if competitors have the item at a better price.
Plan out the excursion. Sometimes it is not necessary to wait to see what deals will be offered on Black Friday. Retailers often release Black Friday flyers weeks ahead so consumers can plan out their shopping spree. Make a map of the stores to visit and what items are at which store. Some retailers only honor sale ads during a certain time frame, or on certain days, and could limit the amount of deeply discounted items available for purchase.
Sign-up for email alerts. Many stores release their best Black Friday deals and exclusive coupons to people who have subscribed to their emails. Sign up ahead of the holiday season, then unsubscribe afterwards if needed.
Do your research. Read product reviews on extremely discounted items. It could be a cheaper model or brand advertised, and not what was expected. Check BBB.org’s business profiles of the stores and read what other customers have experienced.
Know the return policy and warranty information. Pass along any information about returns, exchanges, repairs, and warranties to the person who will use the item. Gift receipts are an easy way for recipients to return or exchange a gift if it is not just right, but make sure the item is able to be returned before purchasing.
Look for the BBB Seal. Shop with confidence this Black Friday by choosing businesses that prioritize trust and ethics in the marketplace. Shop with confidence and peace of mind this holiday season, avoid scams, and make smart purchase decisions.
SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
After the big Black Friday sales, check out the small, local and independent businesses participating in Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate small businesses and all they do for their communities.
Created in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday – the day after Black Friday – is a perfect time to stop in and support your local independent business retailers.
Shopping locally, whether in person or online, benefits your local economy and has a positive impact on your community at large. You can often find unique and personalized gifts that have the personal touch of a local business.
To get involved, many communities are hosting special events to celebrate and support the businesses that make your hometown unique. Find out what local events are happening in your area on the Small Business Saturday website, or visit your local chamber of commerce or merchants’ association.
Sign-up for email alerts. Save a few dollars on your holiday budget by signing up for Small Business Saturday email specials offered by the merchants in your area. Remember, you will probably get additional deals throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Research the shops nearest to you. Find out what past customers have to say by reading reviews online, such as those on bbb.org, and learn what shops participate by going to ShopSmall.org.
Connect with businesses on social media. Many small businesses will advertise their sales via social media. Use #ShopSmall to search for information and share activities.
Invite your friends and family. Turn this shopping event into a “friends and family” extravaganza.
Visit favorite local stores or explore a new one. Take time to get to know the business owners and local community officials, and get a head start on the holidays while enjoying time with loved ones.
Do not just shop small, eat small. Many people think that shopping at local retail stores is the only way to participate. However, small independently owned restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops would love to invite in new customers while they are out and about.
Share your experience. Take a selfie at your favorite small business. Share it on social media with the hashtags #BBB and #ShopSmall to tell the world you are a big fan of small businesses. Leave a review on bbb.org.
CYBER MONDAY: BE MINDFUL OF ONLINE TRANSACTIONS
The Monday following Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, has become one of the top shopping days of the year. But like so much else in 2023, not all of the deals will be just on Cyber Monday.
Retail experts predicted many of the online shopping activities and special holiday sales started as early as Halloween and may continue throughout the holiday season.
Online shopping – even on Cyber Monday – has risks. Be wary of misleading advertisements, lookalike websites and untrustworthy sellers. The following tips will help you shop online this holiday season to achieve maximum savings while keeping your personal information and hard-earned money secure.
Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company is selling the hottest item of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Watch out for false advertising and closely monitor the web address in your browser. Scammers love to create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. Ensure websites use the correct business name spelling and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers.
Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only. Be wary of businesses you are not familiar with. Check their BBB Business Profile on bbb.org, look at the rating and read customer reviews. Be sure any webpage you purchase from is secure. Secure web addresses begin with HTTPS:// and not just HTTP://. Never put personal or credit card information in forms on non-secure web pages.
Keep your antivirus software up to date. Make sure you have antivirus software installed on your computer or mobile device, and that it is current. This will help you to avoid non-secure websites and pop-up phishing scams, and help keep your personal information safe.
Price check before you buy. Dozens of online retailers will claim they have the best price on an item but their offers can be misleading. Do your homework by comparing prices. Remember that the best deal may not be the real deal.
Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs. Check your credit card rewards program for special point offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays. Make purchases using loyalty programs; many major retailers have them.
Use your credit card. It is always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up later,= you will be able to contest them through your credit card company. Debit cards do not offer this same protection. Never make purchases with online sellers by giving them prepaid debit cards or wiring money.
Understand return policies. Online store policies may change for Cyber Monday offers. Read the fine print before you buy. Understand the return or exchange policy for the item you want to purchase. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for “final sale” or “closeout” items. Ensure to get gift receipts, so the recipient can return or exchange the item if necessary.
Watch out for phishing scams. Busy schedules and increased purchases make it easier to miss – and fall victim to – a phishing scam. Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, calls or letters.
These messages may claim you have a gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. Avoid phishing scams by ignoring suspicious correspondence and calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
GIVE WISELY ON GIVING TUESDAY
It may be hard to believe but Giving Tuesday, the charity event which takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, started in 2012. It evolved into a movement that has helped raise more than $1 billion for online charitable giving around the globe and is now promoted by an organization devoted to this cause.
Check BBB’s Give.org before contributing. There will be many options and opportunities to donate on Giving Tuesday, but BBB’s best suggestion is to find out more about a charity before you contribute. Charities can demonstrate they are trustworthy by agreeing to in-depth evaluations in relation to the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
Be cautious about name confusion. When charities seek support for the same cause, the names can sometimes appear similar. Before you give, be sure you have the exact name of the charity to avoid a case of mistaken identity.
Understand registration requirements. About 40 states require charities to register with a government agency, usually a division of either the Attorney General’s office or Secretary of State’s office. Keep in mind that registration with a government agency does not mean the government approves, recommends or endorses the charity.
Consider tax-exempt status. There are more than one million organizations that have applied for and received charitable tax-exempt status under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In part, this means these groups are eligible to receive gifts that are deductible as charitable donations and will file an annual financial form with the IRS. It does not mean the IRS approves, recommends or endorses the charity.
Watch out for overly emotional appeals. If an appeal brings tears to your eyes, make sure it is also clear about what the charity intends to do to address the issues. Visit the charities website for details about their program services.