Beware the “Hot Toy” Scam This Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, shoppers are looking for any way to get the best products at the lowest prices. Unfortunately, this time of year is especially rife with scammers, and nowhere is this truer than with trendy products. The latest “hot toys” (Labubus immediately comes to mind) are in high demand, and scammers look to take advantage of the chaos.

In this article, we’ll be looking at the “hot toy” scam and what to be careful of.

Scam Detectors Most Trusted Websites in Online Security

Guard.io (100): Protect your digital world on any device – Guardio stops scams and phishing in their tracks.
Incogni.com (100): Delete your personal data from the internet and protect against scams and identity theft.
ExpressVPN (100) Stay secure and anonymous online - Best VPN Out There

Anatomy of the “Hot Toy” Scam

Anybody shopping for the latest toy could tell you about the chaos of trying to find stock at a reasonable price. The move from brick-and-mortar stores to online shopping does little to ease stress levels. So, when a shopper is typing in the keywords for that in-demand toy, imagine their relief when they come across a well-presented site that still has stock.

But hold on, not only do they have a few items left, but they’re also on special! The shopper enters their banking details and then waits for delivery. Unfortunately, the delivery never arrives, and the website’s customer support is strangely silent. Or, if the product arrives, it’s a cheap (and dangerous) knockoff of what was offered.

Disappointment Either Way

The shopper loses out in a children’s toy scam by never receiving what they pay for. The websites they visit are either spoofs of famous brands or convincing fronts designed to steal money and information.

Or they could fall victim to a fake toys scam and receive products vastly different from what they ordered, or a cheaper version. These knockoff toys are not merely disappointing, but can be downright dangerous:

Many don’t pass European or American safety tests.
Cheaper versions may include hazardous chemicals, detachable small parts that pose choking hazards, and dangerous electronics.
Safety marks are missing, and the overall lack of quality means the toy falls apart quickly.
Products aren’t age-tested and can be inappropriate for those they’re bought for.

Avoiding This Scam

It’s always tempting to go for the best deals when shopping online. There’s nothing quite like the rush of finding a great deal. But think before you click and follow these guidelines when shopping for the latest toys:

Beware of spoofing – If you see a major retailer or manufacturer has an ad for a deal or flash sale going, don’t follow the link on the ad, but rather go directly to their site. If the offer still stands there, go for it. The same is true for posts on social media platforms.
Do your homework – The last thing you want to do in a busy holiday season is investigate the legitimacy of a retailer, but this can save you a lot of trouble. Check out reviews for the store or vendor online or through their seller rating (if on a platform). If there’s very little media presence or reviews are negative, don’t buy.
Go with who you know – You might not get the best deal with trusted retailers and sellers, but you will get what you pay for.
If a deal seems too good to be true – Beware of unrealistically low prices. Compare flash sale prices with the discounts other sellers are offering. Anything too low is more often than not a scam or a rip-off.

Verify Another website

Are you just about to make a purchase online? See if the website is legit with our validator:

vldtr^®