It’s discouraging to think that on Mother’s Day, the time to honor the important women in our lives, scam artists are looking for victims, attempting to make money off unwary consumers.
Flower deliveries are one of the most common scams to occur during the holiday. After Christmas and Hanukkah, Mother’s Day is the busiest time for florists.
The Better Business Bureau reminds shoppers to do the following before placing that flower order:
- Research the florist. Most of the complaints BBB receives about florists involve late or wrong deliveries or orders that were never delivered.
- Order online securely. Look for signs the website is secure. The beginning of online websites should change from HTTP to HTTPS on payment screens, indicating the information is encrypted. Never enter personal information in a pop-up screen and avoid placing orders while using public Wi-Fi.
- Read the fine print. Ask about the refund policy if the delivery is late, never arrives, or is in poor condition.
- Have a back-up plan. Make sure you understand the store's guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you’ll have if the arrangement isn’t satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t come through. Charges made on a debit card are the same as cash, and you have no recourse through your bank if there is a problem.
