DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) — Holiday shopping is in full swing, but so are the scammers. With more people turning to online deals and last-minute shortcuts, fraud experts say shoppers are more vulnerable than ever. One Douglas boutique owner, Lacey Nugent, said the safest way to avoid getting scammed this Christmas might be as simple as shopping local.

Lucy Lu’s Boutique in Douglas, has spent 17 years building a customer-first shopping experience that starts with safety. This season alone, Nugent says the store has welcomed hundreds of shoppers, including customers over five different states.

To help keep those customers safe, Nugent says the store has online transparency, using live streams, social media, and even a dedicated shopping app to show real-time products and staff.

“We have surveillance cameras everywhere, so we have everything if anything were to happen,” Nugent said. “A lot of scammers will go after us when we do a giveaway and say, ‘You’ve won this — click here.’ We make sure to delete those. When you watch us live, you can see we’re real people selling real products.”

A recent 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report found that 31% of U.S. adults have been targeted by a holiday shopping scam and 51% of them actually fell for it. The report says relying on “shortcuts” during the holiday rush opens the door for scammers.

Local boutique owners say that’s exactly why shoppers should consider staying close to home.

“As the holidays gear up, the best way to cut down your chances of being scammed is to shop local,” Nugent said. “You can see and trust who you’re buying from.”

Nugent says Lucy Lu’s carries clothing, décor, accessories, and holiday gifts from a wide range of brands giving shoppers options without the shipping risks or worries that come with online shopping.

“We carry a lot of stuff here in my store. It is 4,000 square feet,” she said. “If you want it, we probably have the same thing or something close to it. Shopping small is my number-one tip. You don’t have to wait, and you can always return things in person without worrying about shipping delays.”

For those who still enjoy buying from their phone, Nugent says their Lucy Lu app gives customers a safe alternative. The app can be found on all app stores.

Nugent adds that shoppers rarely need to look elsewhere.

“Especially in a town like this with as many boutiques as we have, just get out and look,” she said. “If you find it somewhere else, you’re going to find it in Douglas.”

Local boutiques say avoiding the “Grinch” this holiday season may be as simple as supporting the stores right in your community.

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