DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – The holiday season is a busy time for shoppers, but scammers are also busy, looking for ways to trick people out of money.

“This is also their biggest season for scamming us and so they are well prepared to take advantage of us during this season of the year,” Carl Bates, President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central & South Alabama, said.

Bates said one trick scammers use is fake websites that look like major retailers.

“They look just alike. They basically made a copy of the real site,” Bates said.

The BBB also has a warning about hot items advertised at major discounts.

“[If] it’s an item that’s priced much less than you can find it at any other merchant in the local area or online, it’s a buyer beware thing…why is it so cheap?” Bates said.

This time of year is also the season of giving. Scammers try to take advantage of that too by creating fake charities.

Bates said before you make a donation check out the charity by going to IRS.gov and make sure they have filed a Form 990.

“It’s not a real non-profit if they haven’t filed a Form 990,” Bates said.

A couple of other tips—research the vendor you’re shopping online, always use a credit card, and be on the lookout for any red flags.

“Take a breath, be careful. It’s like all year long we tell people, if it looks too good to be true it likely is,” Bates said.

If someone scams you, report it to the BBB’s scam tracker.

Also, if there is credit card fraud, minutes count, so, call your issuing bank immediately.

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