Packers warn shoppers of a spike in online retail fraud this holiday season

GREEN BAY – Football fans who've hoped to scoop up a coveted Green Bay Packers-themed Salute to Service hoodie at the last minute probably were disappointed. And possibly ripped off.

The Packers said Wednesday they've seen a spike in online retail fraud this year, including websites tricking people into believing they're the Packersproshop.com website.

"We see websites that mimic Packersproshop.com, and go so far as to steal our creative (elements), so it looks very much like our website," said Chrysta Jorgensen, director of retail operations for the Packers. "On the opposite side, some people are just putting up websites that maybe don’t look real, but look real enough. (Shoppers) go there thinking they’ve found unique products, or promises to get it there sooner, or cheaper."

Shoppers who've run into online crooks can contact the U.S. government at Reportfraud.ftc.gov or the state at datcp.wi.gov. The state consumer protection people also can be contacted by email at datcphotline@Wisconsin.gov and (800) 422-7128. Also, shoppers should contact their bank or credit card company right away.

And they can tell the Packers, who work with the NFL to thwart the fraudulent websites either by redirecting traffic to the correct place or getting the sites shut down.

"It’s a little bit of online legal whack-a-mole," Jorgensen said. "You shut them down and they show up somewhere else. We work closely with the league, but we can’t catch all of them."

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Jorgensen said the brown Salute to Service hoodies are coming up a lot in reports from consumers, who sometimes are calling the Packers to ask about their order, only to find out they don't have one.

"(The hoodie has) been sold out from all licensed channels for several weeks. It struck fans as different enough that they really needed it and it’s not available really anywhere," Jorgensen said. "That should be a red flag at the very least."

Other red flags would include merchandise significantly cheaper than at the Pro Shop, especially jerseys.

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Fraudulent websites often have URL addresses very close to the legitimate addresses they are trying to steal business from. They'll even include frequent misspellings to capture people who, if the website looks like the one they are seeking, won't think twice.

There are several ways to get to the legitimate Packersproshop.com website, besides typing the correct address into your web browser. It also is accessible in the upper right corner of Packers.com or through the Packers app.

Not surprisingly, Christmas season sees a spike in criminal behavior, but it generally goes on all year.

"In the season and holidays always are going to be the most opportune times," Jorgensen said. "You see more of it across the board. There's a little bit of a lingering effect into the first of the year, if someone’s trying to use gift cards."

Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Packers warn of a spike in online retail fraud this holiday season