Better Business Bureau promotes secure online buying to prevent tech-related fraud.

OMAHA, Neb. – The Better Business Bureau warns about online purchasing frauds, especially during the back-to-school season.

Laptops and iPads have become indispensable in education. However, purchasing new technology in stores and online has gotten increasingly difficult.

According to the BBB, shortages of certain technologies, such as computer chips, could limit consumer options. When buyers cannot find these products from reputable shops, their likelihood of encountering a scam increases.

According to Deloitte’s market research, price and quality are two of the elements that influence purchasing decisions. According to the BBB, fraudsters may target desperate shoppers with phony discounts or enticing marketing.

It is recommended to adhere to a few BBB recommendations to avoid becoming a victim:

Shop at well-known retailers. Laptops, tablets, and other digital gadgets can be expensive purchases. To ensure you receive a high-quality product and excellent customer service, you should only do business with well-known, reputable companies.

• Do not buy from counterfeiters. Fraudsters may use the name, logo, and other identifiers of reputable brands.
• Examine the website carefully to confirm that they are who they claim to be.
• Avoid low pricing with extreme caution. The presence of low prices and short-term sales may indicate a hoax. If the price appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
• Some businesses offer sales infrequently. If a company that rarely discounts its items is offering a massive sale, conduct additional investigation. The products may be used or refurbished, or the website may be entirely fraudulent.
• Understand your shopping needs. Establish a budget, determine which skills will help your student, then evaluate your possibilities. Then, search for a trustworthy vendor. Researching the ideal product for your needs will prevent you from falling victim to cons and experiencing buyer’s remorse.
• Ensure you know the seller’s identity. Some large-scale merchants allow third-party vendors to post things on their websites, making it difficult to distinguish these items from the others. Read the fine print to confirm that the seller is trustworthy.
• Complete your purchases quickly. There is the potential for supply shortages, especially if a big number of consumers begin shopping for the same products. Avoid paying exorbitant rates or falling victim to a scam by shopping today.

According to Deloitte, the rise in digital learning tools has contributed to a 37 percent increase in technology sales year-over-year.