Holiday Shopping in Columbia: Stay Alert for Scams and Support Local Businesses!

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Holiday Shopping and Scams—What You Need to Know!

As the holiday season rolls around, the streets of COLUMBIA are buzzing with excitement! Christmas decorations are going up, and shoppers are bustling about, searching for that perfect gift. But here’s a little *warning* for all you holiday enthusiasts: the Grinch isn’t the only one plotting to steal your joy this season. Scammers are out in full force, looking to cash in on your holiday spirit. So, let’s dive into how to keep your wallet safe while still enjoying the festive cheer!

The Shift to Online Shopping

Meet Paul Goff, who has been managing Salty’s Board Shop in Columbia for over 20 years. This local shop is famous for selling and repairing skateboards, snowboards, and even some trendy apparel. And believe it or not, Paul is facing *new challenges* in this digital age.

“This year has been a tough year,” Paul admits as he reflects on the changes his store is navigating. While many locals still come through the doors, an increasing number are opting for the convenience of online shopping. “It’s rare to see local stores anymore, and it’s just becoming a lot more challenging,” Goff explains.

There’s a bittersweet edge to online shopping for local business owners like Paul. It brings convenience, but it also matters that while we’re snagging deals online, we might be putting our hard-earned cash at risk.

Beware of Holiday Scams!

Too many people this holiday season could find themselves duped by clever scammers. According to the CEO of the Better Business Bureau, Chris Hadley, one of the hottest holiday scams involves **fake delivery texts**. You might get a message that looks something like: “Dear customer, you’ve ordered something, click this link to check your delivery status!”

Sounds harmless, right? Wrong! Clicking on that link can lead to major headaches, potentially compromising your personal information. Just last month, one of our local reporters fell victim to a similar scam, receiving a fraudulent delivery text to her mailbox.

Hadley urges everyone to *stay vigilant*: “We’re really urging folks just to delete those; do not click on them. Verify directly with the company that you’ve ordered from.” That means double-checking that confirmation email or the website you shopped from before taking any action!

Watch Out for Social Media Ads

Scammers are getting sneakier, and misleading social media ads are all part of the game. According to Hadley, shopping on platforms like Facebook can lead you down a *dangerous path* of receiving fake or subpar products—or worse, nothing at all! So, while Facebook is a fantastic place to catch up with family photos, it’s best to tread carefully when using it for shopping.

In Hadley’s words, “Shopping through these online ads is what’s going to happen. You’ll either get some type of fake or cheap goods, or you won’t get anything at all.” That’s a *holiday disaster* waiting to happen!

Keep Your Holiday Cheer Intact

So, what can you do? One solid piece of advice from both Paul and Chris is to support local businesses. Not only does holiday shopping with local shops help create jobs and support the community, but it can also keep your identity—and money—much safer. “Shopping locally helps tremendously, not just the local store but the staff that work there,” Goff emphasizes.

This holiday season, enjoy all that Columbia has to offer and remember: while the spirit of giving should be joyful, safety should never take a backseat. Have fun while being alert, and keep those sleigh bells ringing without a hitch!