California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a warning to consumers about potential shopping scams as the holiday season approaches. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, Bonta advises Californians to be vigilant in order to protect themselves from fraudulent activities.
"As the holiday season approaches and folks look for the best deals, consumers should slow down and check their safety list twice," said Attorney General Bonta. "I urge Californians to know their rights, familiarize themselves with shopping pitfalls, and report scams and illegal activity to my office and local law enforcement agencies. Happy and safe shopping, California!"
Bonta highlighted several common scams including gift card draining, where scammers record pin numbers from unpurchased cards. Consumers are advised to ensure gift cards are sealed before purchase and keep receipts for potential refunds if compromised.
The Attorney General also reminded consumers about Senate Bill 478 (SB 478), which mandates that advertised prices include all mandatory charges except certain taxes and shipping costs. Violations can be reported through his office's website.
Additionally, under AB 1287, businesses cannot charge different prices for similar goods based on gender—a practice known as the "Pink Tax." Complaints regarding gender-based pricing differences can also be filed online.
Large retail department stores must maintain a gender-neutral section for children's items under AB 1084. Consumers who find non-compliance in stores can document it and report via the same channel.
To ensure safe shopping practices, Bonta provided several tips such as comparing products before purchase, being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, using credit cards for better dispute options, safeguarding personal information online, avoiding unsolicited text message links, closing unnecessary accounts to reduce digital footprints, understanding zero-interest financing offers' terms thoroughly, and being cautious with "Buy Now, Pay Later" plans due to potential high interest rates and fees.
For more detailed advice or to file complaints related to any of these issues during the holiday shopping period, consumers are encouraged to visit oag.ca.gov/report.
Alerts Sign-up