How to Avoid Holiday Scams

Enjoy this festive time of year, but keep your eyes open for scammers who take advantage of our busy schedules and distractions. Below is a quick overview of common year-round scams that are prevalent during the holidays. Also, below are tips for avoiding them.

Scammers exploit the popularity of online shopping and the season of giving. Among the many successful scams are the following. Look for these and others like them.

1. Fake shipping notifications

Scammers send emails or texts that claim a package is delayed, undeliverable, or requires payment for delivery. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you’re sure that it is from a legitimate sender, because these messages often contain malware or lead to fake websites where your financial and personal information is stolen.

2. Fake online stores

Cyber criminals set up fake websites and offer popular items at impossibly low prices to steal your payment information. Often, these sites have names that are very close to a legitimate site, such as www.amozon.com or www.targt.com. Look for sites with misspelled URLs, poor grammar, or missing contact information.

3. Too-good-to-be-true deals

If you see a deal that seems too good to be true, especially on social media or unfamiliar sites, it likely is a scam. Scam promotions are also used to steal your money or credit card details.

4. Stolen packages

Protect your physical packages by using a secure delivery location or tracking them closely so they do not sit unprotected. 

5.Charity scams

Fake charities or fundraising campaigns often appear during the holidays. Verify a charity’s legitimacy on sites like Charity Navigator or Give.org before donating.

How to protect yourself from online scams

1. Go directly to the source

Instead of clicking links in emails or texts, go to the retailer or shipping company’s official website by typing the address directly into your browser.

2. Don’t pay with gift cards

Never pay for anything requested by an unsolicited email or text with a gift card.

3. Use credit cards

Using a credit card offers more protection against fraud than a debit card, as it is often easier to dispute fraudulent charges.

4. Be suspicious of urgency

Scammers often create a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking. Take a moment to verify before taking any action.