HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY) — The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be careful when buying Halloween, Christmas and other holiday decorations online, saying scammers are using social media advertisements and search results to promote products that may be very different from what buyers actually receive.

According to the BBB, the scam often begins with an advertisement showing an impressive holiday decoration at an unusually low price. After making a purchase, consumers may receive a poorly made miniature version of the advertised item — or nothing at all — and may have difficulty getting a refund.

In one complaint submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, a consumer said a social media advertisement offered a life-size, four-foot-tall Halloween skeleton with LED lights and sounds. The buyer reported paying about $60 but receiving a tiny skeleton that could fit in a hand and was worth only about 50 cents.

The BBB recommends researching unfamiliar companies before buying, checking contact information and independent customer reviews, and being suspicious of deals that appear too good to be true.

Consumers are also advised not to make impulse purchases through social media advertisements. The BBB recommends using a credit card for online purchases because credit card companies may allow consumers to dispute fraudulent charges.

Requests for payment by wire transfer, prepaid gift card or certain digital-wallet apps can also be warning signs of a scam.