Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued a consumer alert urging residents to be cautious while shopping during the upcoming holiday season, particularly on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The announcement comes as many Illinoisans prepare to make purchases both online and in stores.
Raoul advised consumers to consult the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) list of recent recalls and product safety warnings before making any purchases this season. The CPSC regularly updates its database with information about recalled or potentially dangerous items, including toys, clothing, furniture, and household goods. He also recommended that shoppers check for signs of tampering or damage on product packaging prior to buying.
“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of the year, but shoppers should be careful to avoid scams or unsafe products in their rush to chase down the best deal,” Raoul said. “My office provides advice and free resources to help avoid scams while shopping for loved ones. I encourage all Illinois consumers to take their time when making purchases and follow our tips for safe shopping this holiday season.”
The Attorney General’s office outlined several precautions for online shoppers:
– Research “buy now, pay later” plans thoroughly. Some zero-interest offers may still include fees or interest if payments are missed, potentially affecting credit scores.
– Be vigilant against fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers by checking web addresses carefully. Scammers often use ads or sponsored links to direct users to fraudulent sites.
– Check reviews when using unfamiliar websites and search for terms like “scam” or “review” alongside company names.
– Avoid clicking suspicious links from emails or texts and never provide personal information such as Social Security numbers or payment details via email, text message, or pop-up chat boxes.
– Watch out for drop shippers who may misrepresent themselves as manufacturers and could deliver counterfeit or poor-quality goods—or nothing at all.
– Use credit cards whenever possible since they offer greater protection against fraud than debit cards, gift cards, cash, or wire transfers. Payment services like Apple Pay or Google Pay can add an extra layer of security.
– Be wary if a seller does not accept credit card payments and requests alternative methods such as cryptocurrency.
– Exercise caution when sending peer-to-peer payments through apps like Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App; these transactions generally lack consumer protections associated with credit cards.
– Enable multifactor authentication where available and use unique usernames and passwords for each account.
– Review terms carefully to avoid unexpected recurring charges linked to subscriptions or memberships.
– Confirm delivery dates with sellers; federal law requires shipment within 30 days unless otherwise specified with notice given about delays.
– Sign up for fraud alerts from financial institutions.
Shoppers are also encouraged not to rush into purchases during sales events in order to avoid falling victim to high-interest payment plans or overpaying for subpar products.
For those purchasing gift cards, Raoul recommends buying them directly from store counters rather than display racks—and inspecting them for signs of tampering—to prevent scams where thieves drain funds after copying card numbers.
The Attorney General’s office also noted new regulations under the Federal Trade Commission’s INFORM Consumers Act as well as Illinois state law that require online marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers’ identities. Recently, the FTC reached a settlement with Temu over its failure to provide a reporting mechanism for suspicious marketplace activity. If consumers cannot report such issues on a platform, they are urged to file complaints with either the Attorney General’s Office or the FTC.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by scams can file complaints via the Attorney General’s website or contact its Consumer Fraud Hotlines:
1-800-386-5438 (Chicago)
1-800-243-0618 (Springfield)
1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)
1-866-310-8398 (Spanish-language hotline)
