A smart consumer is aware of the pleasures and dangers that come with shopping. Ensure that you are shopping smart and safely by following these very important tips.
- Do not use debit cards when shopping online, use only credit cards with low limits or a third-party payment service like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay
- Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, save receipts and keep copies of order numbers, shipping costs, and warranties
- If you regularly visit particular websites when shopping, do not use the automatic log-in feature that saves your username and password. Always log off when you're finished shopping
- Before providing personal or financial information through a website, look for indicators that the site is secure. Such indicators would include a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins with "https." The "s" stands for secure. Unfortunately, no indicator is 100 percent foolproof
- Shop on trusted sites within the Continental United States, avoid buying from unknown overseas companies
- Be careful when buying online: make sure you are not on a look-alike website. Be wary of clicking links within emails, as scammers can create websites that look almost like the real thing and trick consumers into downloading malware and sharing their personal financial information.
- Have your packages delivered to the home of a relative or neighbor who will be there to accept them
- Ask to have your packages delivered to a retail store so you can pick them up at your convenience. See if there is a "ship to store" option, many times this will also save you on shipping costs
- Ask a trustworthy neighbor to keep a watchful eye out for your packages. If they're willing, ask them to safeguard your packages until you return home
- Ask for a tracking number. Most major shipping companies offer this service at no charge. This number allows you to track your packages and notifies you when they will be delivered. Once delivered, have a trusted neighbor get the package for you
- Request a "Signature Delivery Option." This requires a signature when the packages are delivered and ensures they will not be left at the front door
- Request a specific drop off time and date when you will be home to accept your packages
- Arrange to have your packages held at the shipping service so you can pick them up
- Ask the delivery service to leave your packages at a side or back door. An enclosed porch where packages are out of sight is also a good option
- If allowed, have the packages delivered to your workplace
- Use video surveillance devices to monitor your front door for deliveries
- If your packages do not arrive as scheduled, contact the sender immediately
- Request a "Signature Delivery Option." This requires a signature when the packages are delivered and ensures they will not be left at the front door
- Request a specific drop off time and date when you will be home to accept your packages
- Arrange to have your packages held at the shipping service so you can pick them up
- Ask the delivery service to leave your packages at a side or back door. An enclosed porch where packages are out of sight is also a good option
- If allowed, have the packages delivered to your workplace
- Use video surveillance devices to monitor your front door for deliveries
- If your packages do not arrive as scheduled, contact the sender immediately.
- Make note of retailer refund and return policies. If you buy things on sale, double-check the return policies. Sellers often have different refund and return policies for sale items, especially clearance merchandise. In Florida, retailers must post “No Refund” signs at the point of sale if that is their policy per Florida Statute Section 501.142.
- Make sure the scanned price is right. Overcharges cost you money and time, especially if you don’t notice them right away. Miami-Dade County has an ordinance prohibiting price screen obstruction by retailers (Section 8A-111.1). Contact the Consumer Protection Division for more information.
- Do plenty research before making any purchases.
- Read reviews before you go shopping. Search for manufacturers and sellers and add terms like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam” to see what other consumers are saying
- Look for price-matching policies and compare prices online and in-store. Also, make sure to look at all the conditions and contingencies related to a purchase such as shipping and delivery fees, taxes, “buy one, get one free,” etc. Miami-Dade County has a complete price ordinance (Section 8A-110). Contact the Consumer Protection Division for more information.
- Avoid gift card scams.
- Government agencies such as the FBI or IRS will never contact you demanding any sort of payment by gift card. And whatever you do, do not give out gift card numbers and PINs to suspect callers
- Inspect every gift card before buying. Check to see if a gift card has been tampered with before purchasing. Make sure there isn’t a label on the back with a similar-looking barcode but an entirely different number. Ensure the PIN is not visible or partially scratched off. Avoid auction websites to purchase gift cards. Stick to retailers you know and trust, and keep the receipt with the gift card.
- Police stations are public places that deter crime, are well populated, operate 24/7, and provide a safe location to conduct Internet sale transactions. Also, there are a host of other public spaces to choose from.
When it's time to meet the buyer/seller for a transaction, consider the following:
- Meet in a public place
- Do not meet in a secluded area or invite strangers to your home
- Tell a friend or family member where you are going
- Take your cell phone with you
- Consider having a friend accompany you.
The following Miami-Dade locations are also safe haven locations for conducting your transactions:
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW First St.
Miami, FL 33128
(24 hours, seven days a week)
North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Blvd.
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
(weekdays only, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
South Dade Government Center
10710 SW 211th St.
Cutler Bay, FL 33189
(weekdays only, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
West Dade Permitting & Inspection Center
11805 SW 26th St.
Miami, FL 33175
(weekdays only, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
Regulatory and Economic Resources
Lourdes M. GomezDirector
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street,
11th Floor
Miami, FL 33128
305-375-2877 | [email protected]
