BBB Shares Consumer Tips To Safely Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

RALEIGH, N.C. – This Independence Day marks 250 years since the founding of the United States of America. Many have made plans to celebrate and capitalize on this landmark holiday. Better Business Bureau, Eastern Carolinas (BBB) wants you to be prepared for potential scams that could affect your celebration.

“Despite the heat wave hitting the Carolinas, many plan to celebrate this hallmark American holiday,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB. “From fireworks to festive gear, consumers looking to celebrate should take an extra moment before making their last minute purchases. Doing research on sellers and their products can help prevent falling for Independence Day scams.”

America250 imposter scams: Beware of scammers claiming to be affiliated with the official America250 organization or trying to sell low-quality merchandise to celebrate. One consumer filed a report to us about an online store selling America250 shirts, claiming to be made in the USA; it unfortunately turned out to have been made in China. Other reports mention the shirts were advertised as cotton but they actually felt like much worse material. Another person said it took a month for them to get their items – so keep that in mind, if you want one for 4th of July, order from the official America250 store, or you may not get it in time for the holiday.

To avoid purchasing falsely advertised items, do your research. Carefully read the URL of the website and basic information about the company such as location and social media handles. Also, search for reviews and complaints online and through bbb.org. Do not trust too-good-to-be-true prices and products.

Flag-buying scams: Around the Fourth of July, many people turn to online marketplaces to purchase patriotic flags to display in their yards. An increase in online shopping for a particular product increases scammers seeking to capitalize on the demand, often advertising prices far below the going rate. Trust in your intuition and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Firework purchasing scams: For those who live in an area where they can launch fireworks on their own, many turn to temporary firework stands to purchase their supplies. While most of these stands are legitimate businesses, some use the opportunity to obtain banking card information when purchasing. 

BBB recommends paying for fireworks at temporary firework stands with cash to avoid scammers copying credit or debit card information. If cash is not readily available, use a credit card that provides additional protections to dispute charges. Be sure to get a receipt and write down the location of the firework stand and the company it represents. 

Phishing scams: During patriotic holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Veteran’s Day, it is common for scammers to use patriotic messaging in email or text to entice a consumer to click on a link or submit personal information. This year is no different, especially with the America250 initiative, Giving 4th; a movement created in the hopes of establishing July 4 as a charitable holiday. Scammers will often disguise themselves as a military-focused charity or advocacy group to convince a consumer to donate to their cause. BBB strongly recommends checking on Give.org to verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating to the stated cause or submitting your personal information. 

Do not click on links if you receive an unsolicited email or text message from an organization. Malicious links will download malware onto your computer, tablet, phone or any other electronic device you are using at the time, allowing cyber thieves to steal your identity.

If you have been a scam victim, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Information provided may prevent another person from falling victim.