Sending an inmate a care package? Watch out for scam sites

If you have an incarcerated spouse and children member or pal, sending a deal is a way to exhibit you treatment. But do your analysis beforehand. BBB Fraud Tracker has gotten various stories of bogus inmate care offer solutions targeting folks on the internet.

How the rip-off functions

You uncover a internet site that gives to send treatment deals to inmates online. The web site appears to be skilled and allows you to specify the jail or facility, as properly as the inmate’s identify. You incorporate products to your cart and spot your buy.

Nevertheless, when it is time to make a payment, you may perhaps discover some bizarre instructions. Numerous phony care package web sites claim they at the moment really don’t or can not take credit history card payments. Rather, you are questioned to make a payment by way of a 3rd-occasion application, such as PayPal, Zelle, or CashApp. If you make the invest in on a scam web-site, your account will be charged, but the treatment offer will not get there. These sites are fake and intended to get payments (without having manufacturing the products). Any tries to get in touch with shopper services reps will be achieved with silence.

One particular target advised BBB that they expended additional than $130 on a treatment deal that did not exist: “I procured a package deal for my fiancé whom is in prison… I utilised my funds application. It requested I deliver proof of acquire. Which I sent! I tried using emailing the enterprise various times about my order and they haven’t responded at all!”

How to prevent treatment offer scams

• Recognize the legal guidelines all-around care offers. Prisons have rigorous policies about inmates can receive. Every product in the treatment offer requirements to be thoroughly picked to satisfy prison rules. Be confident to examine with the unique facility. Understand far more about care bundle regulations.

• Check internet site critiques from outside the house sources. Really do not count on opinions identified directly on the web page. These are generally built up by scammers. Instead, investigation providers on other sites, this kind of as BBB.org. Look carefully at purchaser opinions, with a watchful eye for grievances about unfulfilled solutions or refusal to refund dollars. If you cannot uncover any reviews, lookup the organization or internet site identify along with the phrases “scam” or “fake” and see if you appear throughout any negative experiences.
• Always use your credit history card to fork out. Be wary of any organization that will not allow you to use a credit score card to pay. Once you mail income by way of a third-occasion app, it can be much more difficult, if not extremely hard, to get your money back.
• Beware of lookalike websites. If you have utilized a highly regarded inmate care package deal services in the past, double test your browser in advance of you make yet another order. Scammers are masters at generating lookalike websites.
• Check for contact data just before producing a buy. Make positive any company you do business with has a reputable phone amount, e mail, and/or actual physical deal with that checks out.

For additional information and facts 

See the BBB Tip: Wise Shopping Online for far more ways to stay away from scams when generating on-line purchases. Also, find out how to location a lookalike internet site.