Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials are warning the public of wedding scams, and are offering tips for Santa Clarita couples to avoid getting scammed.

Late summer and early fall are typically the most popular times to get married, according to Sheriff’s officials.

However, there are thieves ready to do what they can to ruin a couple’s “special day.” One of the most common scams is fraudulent websites claiming to sell wedding dresses.

A wedding dress less than $200 should trigger a suspicion, according to Sheriff’s officials.

If a “terms and conditions” in the sales deal or agreement are not available, officials say that it is a sign of a suspicious website. That means buyers have little to no leverage in getting a refund, especially if the seller is located outside of the country.

The second common wedding scam is unreliable wedding planners. A sign that a wedding planner is unreliable is when they advertise on Craigslist or social media with no references, or only provide a phone number with no other means of reaching them, according to officials.

Another red flag to look for is if wedding planners demand money upfront, usually cash.

The last scam Sheriff’s officials urge Santa Clarita couples to look out for is no-show vendors.

See related: Sheriff’s Officials Warn Of New Car Theft Scam

The way this scam works is that couples hire photographers, transportation and videographers because they were offered a great deal, only to find out the day of the wedding that the company isn’t going to show up, according to officials.

These scammers prey on a couple’s inexperience and lack of knowledge in wedding planning, as well as couples on a time crunch, officials said.

Generally, the scammer will ask for a hefty deposit, promising couples they will be there on the wedding date like they are supposed to, when in fact they don’t intend to show up.

To avoid becoming the next victim of a wedding scam, Sheriff’s officials advise engaged couples to do the following:

When looking for a dress, a wedding planner or a photographer, ask for references; search the internet for reviews of their services; check the Better Business Bureau website; ask for a signed contract; pay with a credit card or check, not cash; arrange to meet at their business location; and review their business website to verify if they are legitimate.

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