North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper wants shoppers to be smart and safe this holiday season.
Cooper and the Better Business Bureau are asking consumers to do their homework this holiday season. They recommend looking into a charity before making a donation and shopping at familiar retailers.
Roy Cooper: "I would avoid a company that I don't know who I'm dealing with. There are so many options out there. Why deal with someone you don't know? You might be wanting to get a great deal, but if seems to good to be true it probably is."
Cooper says swapping out gifts is often easier when it was paid for with a credit card. The Better Business Bureau recommends comparing prices by on-line shopping, and says you should never wire money to complete a transaction.