Better Business Bureau Warned of Halloween Scams

The agency released an alert advising consumers to exercise caution when purchasing costumes from online retailers.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Fashion

Bold vector editorial illustration of an ornate masquerade mask secured behind a brass padlock, symbolizing digital consumer protection and caution. — The Better Business Bureau issued a warning Tuesday advising consumers to verify online retail sites after detecting a surge in fraudulent Halloween costume stores. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Better Business Bureau has issued a formal warning regarding fraudulent websites targeting shoppers looking for Halloween costumes. Officials advise consumers to verify the legitimacy of retail sites before completing transactions to protect their financial information.

Why it matters

Online retail scams peak during holiday shopping seasons, potentially resulting in financial loss or identity theft for unsuspecting buyers. Checking site security remains a critical defense against malicious actors seeking to exploit seasonal demand.

Consumers are instructed to verify that any retail website includes 'HTTPS' in the URL before entering payment details. Shoppers should cross-reference company names and URL authenticity to ensure they are interacting with legitimate businesses.

The players

Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust by providing information on business reliability and protecting consumers from scams.

The details

The Better Business Bureau identified that fraudulent online stores are currently active, often mimicking legitimate retailers to steal consumer information. Shoppers are urged to exercise extreme caution and verify site security before submitting sensitive financial data during their costume search.

The Better Business Bureau issued the online scam warning on October 5, 2026.

Roadmap

This warning aligns with the established pattern of consumer protection protocols activated during the 2026 Halloween season retail shopping surge. These alerts serve as a standard defensive measure against the recurring rise in online fraudulent activity during peak holiday shopping periods.

Shoppers should pause to confirm a website's identity and URL security before entering any credit card or personal information to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. Utilizing these verification habits helps ensure that your holiday costume purchases do not lead to unauthorized financial charges.

The takeaway

Always verify that a retail website displays 'HTTPS' in the browser bar to confirm an encrypted connection before proceeding to checkout. Remaining diligent during the checkout process is the most effective way to protect your personal data from evolving online threats.