DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - Law enforcement officials are warning shoppers to stay vigilant as Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season, with scammers ramping up efforts to steal personal and financial information.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says it’s seeing an uptick in fake retail websites, phishing texts and emails, and fraudulent order-confirmation messages designed to trick shoppers looking for deals online.

Fake websites copy major retailers

One of the most common scams involves look-alike websites that copy big-name retailers, using the same colors and logos to steal credit and debit card information, officials said.

Experts recommend double-checking URLs for spelling mistakes, reading reviews before making purchases, and verifying that companies list real contact

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