North Dakota AG’s Office Warns Of Online Holiday Lovers.

From porch pirates to pseudo online suitors, the holidays bring some ugly decorations these days.  That is...jerks from the online and on-porch jerk store.

Jerks, right?

Not just guys, but ladies, y'all can be jingle jerks as well.

The fix for your online shopping trepidation is as simple as a google search.  So says AARP director of fraud and victim support, Amy Nofziger.  It's the least you can do!  Seriously, just open another tab and copy and paste the website you've been directed to.  Problem is, with supply-chain issues, our go-to shopping sites might be unable to deliver, but there's always another site that can rescue you from your last-minute searches.

She said as people quickly scroll through online ads, they might not do enough vetting to make sure the company behind a post is real. She added supply chain issues could prompt people to bypass trusted companies through internet searches.

"And they're finding these websites that look legitimate, but they're not," Nofziger observed. "Take the name of the company, put it in a search engine, and do your research. "

I think I got poached by a site selling facemasks during the offset of the pandemic.  Made my order- got nothing, but a lesson in online ordering. Once bitten.

It's not just holiday shopping that picks your pocketbook, online romance can be ten times worse. Plus, it can hurt your heart during the holidays...

Here's where Parrell Grossman, director of the consumer protection and antitrust division for the North Dakota Attorney General's Office comes in to help ensure your holiday happiness. I agree...just like adoptable pets, go look for love AFTER the holidays.  They'll love you all the same.

"When you're lonely at the holidays, it might be the time you decide to engage with someone over the internet," Grossman remarked. "And they can be very convincing, and they will have a myriad of reasons why they need money."

Be wary of where you tread online.  Be it desperate last-minute shopping or last-minute yearnings, due diligence is suggested and seasons greetings to one and all!