Skip to Main Content
Doing More Today
  • News
  • Community
    • Associates in Action
    • Community Engagement
    • Small Business
    • Economic Development
  • Insights & Innovation
    • Economic Commentary
    • Insights
    • Innovation
  • Financial Wellness
    • Financial Wellness
    • Fraud Prevention
  • See the Good
    • Culture
    • Good Company
    • Good Towns
    • Good Pets
    • Ecards
    • Recipes
    • Riding Forward
Subscribe Now
Regions Bank

Regions Bank: Doing More Today: Good stories. Better insights. More possibilities.

Share
Share on Facebook
Share on X
Share on LinkedIn
Share via Email
Subscribe
Stay Safe Shopping Online
Category: Fraud Prevention

Financial Safety: 4 Steps to Shop Safely Online

Online shopping has surged since the pandemic, and so have new schemes.

By Doug Segrest | July 8, 2020

Much of life has moved online since COVID-19’s arrival, leading to many changes.

Including a surge in online shopping.

Unfortunately, more buying online leads to more opportunities to defraud unsuspecting shoppers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the government watchdog received more than 34,000 customer complaints in April and May – setting an ignominious record. In fact, more than half of the complaints were centered on items purchased by computer, tablet or phone but never delivered.

The online shopping complaints focus on COVID-19 specific items: face masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, thermometers and even toilet paper were among the most common items at the center of complaints.

But there were also fraud concerns about the purchases of more conventional items from electronics to clothes.

“Scammers have raised their game during the pandemic, producing slick, new websites that look like the real deal, with attractive ads,” said Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics for Regions Bank. “They’re adept with social media and marketing, creating glowing fake reviews, and creating a problem for global consumers and businesses. And they’re taking advantage of the climate, offering something that’s hard to find or at a price that’s hard to believe.”

Scammers have raised their game during the pandemic, producing slick, new websites that look like the real deal.
Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics for Regions Bank

Luckily, a few basic steps can help keep you from getting taken in by a scam:

  • Play detective. Before going to the website, search the name of the company you wish to buy from followed by “scam,” “complaint” or “review.”
  • Confirm the seller’s physical address and phone number. A search of a legitimate business will include the information.
  • Be wary of unfamiliar sites/business selling products that are in short supply, or of name-brand merchandise with steep discounts.
  • Pay with a credit card. If a seller doesn’t deliver goods as promised, contact your credit card company immediately.

The FTC has more information on how to keep safe while online shopping. You can learn more about coronavirus-related scams at ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams.

For the latest on online shopping, including how to dispute credit card charges, go to ftc.gov/onlineshopping; and to report a scam, visit this section of the FTC website: ftc.gov/complaint.

Don’t Fall for the Scam: 6 Tips from the FTC to Protect Your Finances

Stay Safe Online

Share
Share on Facebook
Share on X
Share on LinkedIn
Share via Email
Subscribe

Trending Articles

  • 1.

    2025 Regions Tradition Closes with Come-From-Behind Win

  • 2.

    Angela Santone Joins Regions Bank as Chief People Officer

  • 3.

    Regions Bank Named 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner

  • 4.

    The Ice Man Cometh

  • 5.

    Regions Recognized for Excellence in Mortgage Servicing

Related Articles

Mortgage fraud illustration of hand holding a house model and...
Category: Fraud Prevention

Best Remedy for Mortgage Fraud: Stop, Call and Confirm

Jeff Taylor, Regions Bank’s head of Commercial Fraud Forensics, met...
Category: Fraud Prevention

Extra Credit: 4 Fraud Truths to Remember

Monica Gross Lopez, Digital Experience Researcher, Hinton Taylor, Strategic Planning...
Category: Community Engagement

Putting Job Skills to Work for the Greater Good

Regions Tradition attendee painting on mural.
Category: Culture

A Paint-by-Numbers Benefit from the Regions Tradition

Steve Alker taking a swing with a crowd of onlookers...
Category: Culture

Bringing the Tradition to Life: Diebold Nixdorf

Illustration of a driver's license with a magnifying glass focussed...
Category: Fraud Prevention

Real ID Scams: 5 Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim

  • FBI Warns of Impersonation Scams
  • #BanksNeverAskThat – And Neither Does Regions
  • Share the Good 2025: Greatest Hits
  • 2025 Regions Tradition Closes with Come-From-Behind Win
Regions.com | About Regions | Investor Relations | Privacy & Security | Website Terms of Use | Contact Regions | Careers at Regions
© 2025 Regions Bank Member FDIC |
All Rights Reserved | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | Online Privacy