How to Spot Shop-at-Home Scams

When you're watching TV late at night, you may come across an ad for a really great looking product. You decide to take advantage of the offer and call the number with your credit card information. Weeks go by and no product arrives. If you call the company and they give you the run around, then you may have fallen victim to a shop-at-home scam.

Instructions

1. Find out the exact contents of your order. Most scams involve sending the shop-at-home consumer the wrong product or the product not as described. If you place your order by phone, get the rep's name and ask for a complete product description. For online ordering, print out the webpage with the product description.

2. Check out the shop-at-home retailer through the Better Business Bureau. Go to their website to see if you can find any scam reports made against the company.

3. Research the shipping charges. Many shop-at-home scams involve jacking up the price to ship the product. Find out the exact cost of shipping or handling before placing your order. If it's an exorbitant amount, purchase from a different retailer.

4. Ask for copies of the shop-at-home policies. Policies should include a privacy policy, a return policy and a security policy. Companies that run shop-at-home scams will not likely provide you with these documents.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do fall victim to a shop-at-home scam, make sure that you report the problem to the Better Business Bureau. You'll find an online complaint form on their website.

Resources

• Check retailers out through the Better Business Bureau