Florist scams target Wisconsin consumers ahead of Valentine’s Day

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau said it has received multiple reports of online florist scams ahead of Valentine’s Day. Shoppers reported paying for flowers that arrived late, were damaged, didn’t match pictures online – or in some cases, didn’t arrive at all.

According to the BBB Scam Tracker, some Wisconsin consumers have reported that online florists charged them even after canceling the order or claiming the order can’t be delivered to a certain location. In several cases, the florist later became unreachable by phone or email.

Here’s how you can avoid becoming a victim of Valentine’s Day florist scams.

How to avoid florist scams

The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to avoid phony florist scams:

• Verify the seller’s contact information. Check the florist’s address and phone number before placing an order.
• Check for secure websites. Make sure the florist’s website uses a secure connection before providing your personal and payment information. A website address beginning with ” indicates a secure connection.
• Read the business polices. Read about the florist’s return policies, delivery process and any additional charges. Some consumers have reported the seller added a host of extra fees after the order was placed.
• Review the seller’s photos. Make sure the photos look realistic. Some sellers will use stock photos to falsely advertise their products.
• Use secure payment methods. A legitimate florist will accept a secure payment method, such as a credit card, which allows you protection if you need to dispute a charge. Avoid making payments with wire transfers.