As the holiday shopping season hits full swing, Canadians searching for the season's most coveted character toys are being targeted by sophisticated online scams. Popular items like Labubu (or Lafufu) plush dolls and toys from hit films and TV shows are being counterfeited and sold through fraudulent websites, costing consumers hundreds of dollars and posing potential safety risks.
How the Fake Toy Scam Operates
The scam typically begins with an enticing online ad or a website from an unknown vendor. These sites often promote "flash sales" or "last-minute deals" on toys that are sold out at major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, or Toys "R" Us. Melanie McGovern, the BBB's director of public relations and social media, advises that if a toy is unavailable everywhere except one suspicious site, it's a major red flag.
Fraudsters use clever tactics to appear legitimate. Amy Nofziger, the director of fraud victim support with AARP, explains that scammers manipulate search engine results to appear at the top of a search or insert their links into crowdsourced forums like Reddit. However, the websites themselves often give the scam away through poor design, misspellings, and blurry logos.
Recent reports to the BBB's scam tracker illustrate the problem. One consumer in Seattle paid $32 for a Stitch toy from Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" that never arrived. Another reported spending $69 on a toy dog for an elderly individual, only to receive a product that looked nothing like the website's depiction after a month-long wait.
The Emotional Hook and Real Dangers
These scams succeed because they prey on the emotional desire to give the perfect gift. "It's an emotional purchase, because you're trying to be kind of the superstar of the holidays. You're the one that found the gift," Nofziger said. This urgency can override logical caution when seeing a too-good-to-be-true deal.
The consequences extend beyond disappointment and lost money. Counterfeit toys can be dangerous. In August, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an urgent warning about fake Labubu plush dolls. These counterfeits, often sold as figures or keychains, fail safety standards and can be choking hazards. They are small enough for a child to place in their mouth and block their airway, and some break apart easily, releasing small pieces.
Legitimate toys undergo rigorous safety testing for age appropriateness, but fake toys offer no such guarantees.
How to Protect Yourself from Toy Scams
Experts recommend a few simple but crucial steps to avoid being scammed:
- Do a quick search: Before buying, use a search engine to look up the retailer or toy name along with the word "scam" or "review" to see if others have reported issues.
- Inspect the website: Look for signs of poor quality like grammatical errors, missing contact information, or a lack of a secure "https" connection.
- Use a credit card: If you do make an online purchase, use a credit card. This payment method offers stronger protections and makes it easier to dispute fraudulent charges compared to debit cards or wire transfers.
- Trust your gut: If a deal seems unbelievable, it probably is. Passing on a suspicious offer is better than risking your money and your family's safety.
While the temptation to snag a hard-to-find toy is strong, vigilance is your best defense. Taking a few extra minutes to verify a seller can prevent financial loss and ensure the gifts under your tree are both joyful and safe.
