If you’re considering buying a Switch 2 online, the Better Business Bureau said to be careful as scammers know how to target high-demand items.
HOUSTON — The Nintendo Switch 2 just hit store shelves and it’s already being resold online for hundreds more than retail price.
That means people are already getting ready to take advantage of consumers.
KHOU 11 has previously covered incidents of people becoming victims of robberies when meeting up with someone they believed to be an online seller. That’s on top of scammers who promote popular products to get your attention using fake listings, fake sites, and high-pressure tactics to trick people out of their money.
That’s why it’s important to know how to spot the red flags.
There were long lines outside of stores as gamers waited to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, and now the hype has shifted online with listings on resale sites like eBay showing prices as high as $850.
If you’re considering buying one online, the Better Business Bureau said to be careful as scammers know how to target high-demand items.
“Scammers creating fake websites or fake social media ads, they promote a very popular product — and they may change the web address just slightly to make you feel like you’re shopping on the official business’s web page, but instead it’s a fake site,” said BBB VP of Investigations and Public Affairs Leah Napoliello. “Research any reseller. If it’s not an individual but another company that’s reselling products, check them out on sites like the Better Business Bureau. Read complaints and reviews on that reseller to see if there are any potential issues where they’ve taken advantage of people in the past.”
So here are some tips from the BBB:
- Check the “https” in website links – that “s” at the end will let you know it’s a secure website
- Research the seller, even if it looks legit
- Watch out for prices that seem too good to be true
- Avoid paying with gift cards, pre-paid cards or cash app – those payments are hard to trace
- Use a credit card when you can so you can dispute charges if something goes wrong
Whether you’re chasing the latest tech or just looking for a good deal online, these are some smart tips to keep in mind. If you’re buying from someone on social media, the BBB said to always meet in a public safe, like outside a police station.