St. Louis Consumer Fraud Task Force Warns of Digital Payment Scams

St. Louis, Mo. (KFMO) - The St. Louis Consumer Fraud Task Force is urging consumers to use caution when making purchases through digital payment methods, warning that scammers often target mobile apps and online platforms.

Officials say while digital payments are convenient and increasingly popular, they can offer fewer protections than credit cards. During the holiday shopping season, scammers may lure buyers with steeply discounted prices on popular items and require payment exclusively through digital platforms. The task force recommends researching sellers carefully and being wary when digital payment is the only accepted option, noting that sending money digitally can be similar to handing over cash. Additional tips on avoiding scams are available through the Better Business Bureau. The St. Louis Consumer Fraud Task Force, formed in 2002, is a coalition of local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations working to protect consumers in Missouri and Illinois.

Consumers who believe they may have been targeted by a scam are encouraged to report it to the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the Missouri or Illinois attorney general’s offices, local law enforcement, or other task force partners.