As the country prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside the Fourth of July holiday, the Better Business Bureau of Central and South Alabama is warning consumers that scammers are using the milestone to target holiday shoppers.
The holiday is a bigger target than usual this year, according to the BBB. The U.S. Mint is releasing official semiquincentennial coins and medals in honor of the 250th anniversary, retailers are releasing America 250 merchandise, and communities are planning larger-than-usual fireworks shows and festivals. Scammers are putting “America 250” and “official” labels on counterfeit coins, porch banners, whiskey decanters, hats and T-shirts that arrive as knockoffs—or never arrive at all, the BBB said.
“Scammers love a big moment, and a 250th birthday gives them plenty to work with,” Evey Owen, vice president at the BBB of Central and South Alabama, said. “From commemorative coins and T-shirts or that too-good-to-be-true sale, the safest move is for each of us to slow down and buy straight from the source.”
One victim in Enterprise told the BBB Scam Tracker they ordered two 250th anniversary whiskey bottles for $94.97. The bottles were supposed to be made of crystal with an elaborate carved design depicting the anniversary, the person said. Instead, they received two small plastic bottles with a decal design and plain stoppers that did not fit the bottles. When the customer contacted the company for a refund, they were told return shipping would cost $80 because the item would have to be returned to China.
Another BBB Scam Tracker report started with an ad on social media.
“[Saw a] Facebook ad for 250th shirt. Great picture, poor quality when received,” the report said. “No way to return despite promise of easy return. Only contact info is email address that does not work.”
Red flags of a Fourth of July scam
- Prices on coins, merchandise or event tickets that seem too good to be true.
- “Official” America 250 coins or merchandise pushed by unknown sellers on social media or pop-up sites, rather than the U.S. Mint, the America 250 Store or a trademark-holding seller.
- Event or fireworks tickets sold only through social media posts, direct messages or resale links.
- Lookalike websites with URLs that are slightly off or do not include “https” and a lock symbol.
- A request to pay by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
How the BBB says to celebrate safely
- Buy directly from the source. Purchase official anniversary coins from USmint.gov and merchandise from Store.America250.org. Most event or fireworks shows are free of charge, but if tickets are required, buy them from the official venue or organizer—not a social media post or ad.
- Check the website before checking out. Make sure the address starts with “https” and includes a lock symbol, and watch for web addresses that are slightly different from the retailer’s name.
- Vet the charity first. Before donating to a veteran or patriotic cause, research the organization on Give.org to confirm the money reaches the people it promises to help.
- Pay with a credit card. Credit cards allow shoppers to dispute charges if a product never arrives or is not what was advertised. Be wary of any store demanding payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
The BBB is encouraging the public to report scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker so it can warn the community. To check out a business or register a complaint, visit BBB.org. To vet a charity before donating, visit Give.org.
