Halloween has been celebrated for more than one hundred years. In fact, Americans spend almost $8 million on candy, pumpkins, decorations and costumes for this holiday. With Beggar’s night around the corner, your Better Business Bureau offers some tips to keep this holiday a treat and help you avoid getting tricked.

According to the National Retail Association, Halloween is observed by 170 million Americans on October 31. So, if you’re one of the millions, exercise caution when making Halloween purchases. Your Better Business Bureau suggests you:

• Do your research. Many seasonal stores are run by reputable retailers who take advantage of short-term leases on vacant space to set up temporary stores. Some seasonal businesses change their name from one year to the next as a way of disguising their poor track records.

• Beware of refund and return policies. Many stores will allow specific or no returns on seasonal items.

• Get details when renting a costume. Find out the store’s policy if the costume is damaged or lost. Make sure you understand the rental agreement before signing.

• Be wary of purchasing items online. Make sure the Web site is secure. The web address should begin with “https.” Also, look for a picture of a lock in the lower right corner of the screen.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always, check out a company with your BBB to make sure you’re dealing with a trustworthy company before purchasing Halloween items. Avoid being tricked by scammers by doing your homework and research, visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.