HOLIDAY SCAMS: What to look for

 With Days 'till Christmas...

    It is a truism that regardless of time and place, there will always be con artists abound. As the year winds down, it is still important, perhaps even more so, to look out for such deception and ripoffs. So we have gathered a list of things to look out for this season and how to avoid them.

Fake Online Stores

 People have been faking stores since before the birth of Christ and in the information age these scams have taken a new form. While browsing the web you may find links or ads for stores that may carry high quality items with mind-boggling discounts. During the holidays, when people are busy trying to get gifts for the loved ones, they may be tempted by such offers. However, these consumers often find their credit cards stolen or not getting what they paid for. Always be sure to question, how are they able to afford to give away items like these? The answer often is, they don't.

An answer would be that instead of clicking on an ad to reach the website, instead reach it by looking the URL through a browser. If you go there and see that the discounts on the ad are not there, you know the ad was a con. Also, price comparing the item across internet platforms can give you an idea on how the item is valued by the market. Services like in-person pickup at real locations usually guarantees the legitimacy of such sellers.

Missed Delivery Notifications & Package Delivery Theft

 There is a poetic irony on how rates of theft increase as we enter the yuletide. You may have seen messages either in your inbox or texts saying that your package could not be delivered. Be aware, these messages could be thieves trying to create an opportunity for them to steal your packages. Some of these notifications even have links designed to steal your personal information. We suggest installing security features such as cameras looking at the front door. If not, most delivery services will deliver your packages to a more secured location if you ask, whether that is a PO box or to a loved one. And if you can afford it, if the item is valuable enough, consider shipping insurance.

Gift Cards Scams

Never trust anyone who asks for money in the form of a gift card. Always purchase gift cards at legitimate places like the grocer of the bank. In addition, be careful of additional fees on the card. The card should have them on the back, and if not: leave.

Fake Charities

'Tis the season for giving, and none know that better than grifters.  Fake charities are straightforward schemes. They lie about who they are and where the money is going. However, it is because the con can be so simple that they can take many forms. They may use pictures of needy children or spin stories of injured family members, and how they will not be able to come home for Christmas unless YOU, yes you specifically, give them a little bit of generosity. The best way to avoid these cons is vigilance. Look for typos or be skeptical of claims you may belief false. Check the Better Business Bureau with the charities URL to see what they have been able to dig up about the organization. A lack of contact information should raise alarms, and typos are a sign of a fake.

Phishing Messages

You should always be suspicious of  strange links you may get in you emails or text messages. With the holiday hustle, our attention may be split into multiple directions. As such we may not think of what could happen if we'd click on this link or that one. Beware notifications claiming to be your bank or credit card company. These are usually just cons to get you to reveal your login credentials for those accounts. 

In addition, there are no such things as free get always, or prompts to get you free prizes by being the nth visitor to a website. Never trust the promise of getting something for free as a surprise, specially from the internet. If you do feel the need to check whether your accounts have been compromise, use your banks website or app to check directly, most legitimate establishments work like that.

Fraudulent Seasonal Jobs

People often need extra spending money for the season. Whether it is for heating or for gifts, employment increases during the holidays. Naturally, scammers are known to take advantage of this. They may make fake ads for jobs that pay a lot for little work. There are many ways this could end poorly. The job may ask for personal information such as social security, date of birth, or even financial information. In addition, they may ask you for an upfront pay for equipment. You could also be used as a money mule, in which  they cash in money from other criminal activities, keep a portion, and then send the rest to the employer, in order to launder the earnings. To avoid these, always make sure to check the job is real, and question, why would someone be willing to pay so much for something they should be able to do themselves.

References:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/us-attorneys-office-warns-about-common-holiday-scams

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/au/personal-finance/how-to-avoid-christmas-scams/

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