Newest scam aims at swindling money from parents buying presents

The Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) is warning residents of the newest scam circulating that targets parents buying holiday gifts.

Every year, there is always one "must have" toy on most children's wish lists. The toy sells out fast, becomes expensive and impossible to find. This year's hot pick is the "L.O.L. Surprise!" dolls and dollhouses and scammers are using its popularity to trick parents out of money.

The scam works when parents who haven't bought the doll in stores try to shop online. A quick search takes you to a page that miraculously has the toy in stock. The site may look credible, have original pictures of the product, and even hold flash sales, but this is certainly not the case.

Many of the aforementioned sites are fake and when parents place an order, it never shows up. When parents go back to the site to find a contact, they won't see one, or the site has completely disappeared.

The BBB's tips to avoid toy scams are shown below:

• Only buy toys from reputable stores and websites. The best way to avoid getting scammed when purchasing toys is to buy them directly from a seller you know and trust.
• Don't be fooled by extra-low prices. Unreasonably low prices are a red flag for a scam on many products. Avoid making a purchase from a retailer you aren't familiar with just because the price sounds too good to be true.
• Research before you buy. If a company seems legit but you aren't familiar with it, be extra careful with your personal info. Before offering up your name, address, and credit card info, make sure the company has a working customer service number.