Many brides-to-be are still wearing rose colored glasses while planning weddings in Alaska; the Better Business Bureau says brides can be too willing to spend big on a one-of-a-kind celebration, with devastating results.
Tabler: “We also have lots of people up here and especially people out in the bush or in other areas where they may not have access to the wedding gowns or the bridesmaid gowns, so they’re shopping online.”
Michelle Tabler with the BBB said scammers often target people going through major life events.
Tabler: “Scammers will try anything and they’ll try it even with funerals and they’ll steal identities of people who have died. It’s just a way for them to make money in a bad way.
Tabler recommended…
- Beware of fake vendors. Every year, brides shell out cash to DJs, photographers and bakers who don’t show up. Before deciding whom to hire, research companies by reading reviews on bbb.org.
- Be on the lookout for gift theft. Brides and grooms have reported having wedding crashers steal thousands of dollars’ worth of cash, checks and gift cards. Assign a friend or family member to be in charge of securing gifts.
- Watch out for home burglars. Wedding announcements in newspapers and on wedding websites give would-be thieves information on when couples won’t be home, and sometimes even their addresses. Couples can limit the risk by locking up valuables before leaving for their honeymoon and asking a neighbor to stop by regularly.
- Don’t get conned into buying a counterfeit gown. Imitation dresses often look exactly like the designer ones online, but are actually made of cheap materials, less elaborate and poorly constructed. Sometimes, the dress never even arrives. To avoid fakes, look for authorized retailers on the designer’s website and buy from BBB Accredited bridal shops.
In the past year, the BBB says they’ve received 30,000 wedding industry inquiries from Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington, which included 109 official complaints.