SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (WSAV) - With gift-giving season in full swing, many are opting to treat their loved ones by online shopping. But with more convenience comes more risk. When figuring out if you have been scammed while online shopping, sometimes it is too late. "Scammers are good. They can create pages and they will look legitimate. You put your information in there, your credit card, your banking account, and you find out that you've been scammed," said Malcolm Foy with the Effingham County Sheriff's Office. Foy is a criminal investigator who specializes in cyber crimes. He advises to be wary of unfamiliar online retailers. "I would caution people to not use sites they're simply unaware of," said Foy. Retailers on TikTok shop are good examples, he says, but there are ways to identify if a retailer is faulty. "I would be cautious about giving any information until maybe contacting that retailer," he said. "Too much information to share in a short amount of time is a good way to identify if the site is sketchy." For example, if the retailer asks for your bank account as a form of payment, that is a major red flag. Also, if good a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Lots of ads and popups are also likely indicators of scams. The best way to prevent getting scammed, according to Foy, is to shop the tried and true way. "There are companies that are still trustworthy," said Foy, "There are a lot of good companies out here that you can deal with. Stick with your big box stores or any brand that you commonly shop with. "Be careful. Just check, double check, and if you're just not sure, just don't do it."