The holiday season is finally here! While we look forward to time spent with family, shopping for the perfect gift, and yummy seasonal treats, some companies use this time to take advantage of consumers. The holiday shopping season brings an influx of fraud and scams, and at PuroAir, we want to let you know what to look out for so that you can protect your wallet and your investment in air quality.
Holiday Season Fraud
Air purifiers and other similar household appliances are common targets for scams and fraud because replacement filters create ongoing purchase opportunities. Additionally, due to the cost of the product, people may be inclined to look for a deal or “dupe” that will save them money in the short run, but will not benefit them in the long run. Some common red flags to look out for this holiday season include pricing that seems too good to be true, unfamiliar websites that claim to be official retailers, unsolicited customer service offers, and pressure tactics to get you to complete your purchase.
Counterfeit Replacement Filters
Online marketplaces make it easy to find specific items that we need and get them delivered quickly and conveniently. On the flip side, marketplaces have made it pretty easy for scammers to sell fake items to unknowing consumers. The filters may look like genuine PuroAir filters, but the quality and performance are significantly different, putting you at risk for respiratory issues.
How to Spot a Fake
Here are some key things to look out for when shopping for purifiers or filters on an online marketplace:
- Different packaging materials or colors
- Lack of official PuroAir branding details
- Lower price points that seem too good to be true
- Different filter material or construction
- Limited or suspicious reviews
- Vague product descriptions or stock photos
- Seller based outside of the US
While fake filters can be cheaper and seem like a good deal, they are not nearly as effective as genuine PuroAir filters. Additionally they can cause unit damage, causing long term damage to your air purification investment.
Where to Buy Genuine PuroAir Purifiers and Filter Replacements
The best places to buy genuine PuroAir Products are on our website here at getpuroair.com. You can also shop our official store on Amazon.
Some ways to spot fake retailers include:
- Filters priced over 50% below normal retail prices
- Liquidation or going out of business claims
- Websites with slightly misspelled URLs (like getpuroair.net vs. getpuroair.com)
- Customer service numbers that don’t match official contact information
When you sign up for our subscription service through our site for replacement filters, you are guaranteed automatic delivery of genuine filters for the lifetime of your subscription. If you have any questions about whether the product or website you are looking at is authentic or not, reach out to our customer service team by emailing help@getpuroair.com or calling at 866-552-9322.
Fake Customer Service Sites
Another common scam around the holiday season is fake customer service sites. These sites charge fees for product support and are not affiliated with PuroAir in any way. They can appear in search results when customers are looking for product help, and their marketing tactics can make them seem official, even when they are not.
In reality, these sites are not official and their “experts” have no specific product knowledge. Much of the information they give out can be found for free, and we would never charge for customer service help.
Real, Free PuroAir Support
Our customer service will always be free, and our team would love to help you with any product troubleshooting, warranty information, filter replacements, order tracking, and more. Our US-based team is available Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm MST. You can email us at help@getpuroair.com, call us at 866-552-9322, or live chat with an agent on our website.
Credit Card Fraud and Information Theft
Credit card fraud and information theft are not specific to PuroAir, but we wanted to make sure you know what to look out for to prevent your information from being stolen. Your credit card information can be stolen from fake shopping websites, data breeches, skimming devices at payment terminals or phishing emails that request payment updates.
Protect your Payment Information
When shopping online, be sure to only input credit card information on secure websites (look for “https” at the beginning of the URL and a padlock icon). Additionally, it is smart to enable two-factor authentication for your shopping accounts. Never save payment information on unfamiliar websites, and consider using a credit card instead of a debit card for better fraud protection.
With an influx in spending during November and December, many scammers may take advantage of the fact that there are a lot of transactions passing through your accounts. It is a good practice to review your statements weekly or set up transaction notifications so you can identify and report fraudulent activity quickly.
Your Holiday Shopping Safety Checklist
Before You Shop:
- Verify you are on the official PuroAir website or Amazon Storefront
- Check for slightly misspelled URLs (like getpuroair.net instead of getpuroair.com)
- Enable transaction notifications
During Purchase:
- Verify HTTPS and security certificate
- Use secure payment methods
- Save confirmation numbers and emails
- Note order numbers and expected delivery dates
After Purchase:
- Track shipping progress through official channels
- Inspect products upon arrival
- Keep all receipts
- Register your purifier with PuroAir for your 2-year warranty
Remember that our official channels are the best place to purchase products and receive product assistance. We will never charge you for customer service. All of our products are authentic with official packaging and seals. We guarantee top quality products that improve the air quality in your home. If you find yourself in a scam, be sure to report it to your bank or credit card company and let us know so that we can take any actions against the fraudulent sellers. We hope you have a happy holiday season. Stay safe and smart with your purchases this holiday season and head to our official site for all your PuroAir purchases.