When it comes to scams you have to be as alert and resourceful as possible. When it comes to holiday scams you need up your game several notches. If you want a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons you need to focus, be alert, slow your roll and most importantly think before you act! Scam artists are exactly that; artists. They are creative, intelligent and always seeking opportunity. So watch out!
1. Gift card scams
Nothing feels quite like getting a gift card from a friend or family member. Its just as good as cash and you can use it like a debit card at almost any store. But watch out! Scammers know this and are known to sell you fake or stolen cards at greatly reduced prices. You’ve heard this before but I’ll repeat it; If the price sounds too good to be true it probably is. Think about this, how easy is it to walk into a store steal a handful of gift cards? They are hanging right there in plain sight. If someone offers to sell you a $100 gift card for $10 then you ought know its stolen and probably worthless. Especially if it is not in its original package. Even if it is how do you know the money is loaded on the card? You can call the number on the back for the balance. Make sure you do that. Be careful who you buy your gift cards from. Stick to legitimate retailers. Keep your receipt to show you loaded the money on the card and, if it is a gift, do not remove it from the packaging.
2. Fake shopping websites
Its the Christmas season! Fake shopping websites are springing up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. Check this out, scammers spend the entire year creating fake shopping website with different names and web addresses. As soon as Black Friday rolls around they launch them. And the deals are incredible! 75 inch flat screens for $75! Its Black Friday! And you just lost $75 bucks. This happens thousands of time a day. Some websites are exactly replicas of Target, Walmart and other major retailers. Make sure you know the website IP address before you spend a dime. Be careful of sales messages and ads that appear in your email or text messages. Especially if they contain a link or attachment. Clicking on one could compromise you computer, smartphone or tablet. You may download malware that steals user names and passwords. Like to your bank account!
Another dangerous thing about these fake website is that they collect information. Information like your credit card number expiration date and security code. Some sites pretend to be security conscious and ask you to verify your name by entering a driver’s license number or other details. They now have enough to steal your money if not your identity. Some scammers even go so far as to provide you with the excuse that they can only accept bank transfers for your purchase; “Please enter bank account and routing number! ” DON’T DO IT!
3. The price is too good to be true!
No one should have to tell you that you’re not going to get a brand new, brand name 75 inch flat screen television for $75 dollars! Yes, I admit that Black Friday sales can get extreme and you might find just such a deal but only at major retailers and the quantities are extremely limited. But the point remains, if the price is too good to be true then it probably is. Keep your wits about you when you see these incredible deals, especially online. Ask you yourself a few question;
- Have shopped on this website before?
- Is it really a major or known retailer? (Check the web address closely.)
- Did you check the Better Business Bureau to see of they are reliable and respected?
- Is this a brand you recognize?
- Is the sale price comparable with other retailers? (+/-$100)
- Is the company a U.S. retailer?
- Are you being rushed to make the purchase? Some scammers want you to make rushed decisions. DON’T DO IT! Impulse buying, especially online, has the potential to go horribly wrong. Watch out!
4. “We’re try to deliver a package!”
You have probably gotten the notice in your text message or email that you have a delivery but the delivery company needs to verify some information. “Click here.” They look like this;
Its Christmas and the packages are moving fast, furious and in great numbers. Did Santa, a friend, or a loved one send you something nice? You just don’t know. So it becomes pretty tough to keep track of the subsequent deliveries. And the scammers know it! Some scammer are playing the long game where they steal information rather than money. Once they get the information they steal the money later. This is called phishing. They send fake emails or SMS messages that appear to be from the leading shipping companies (UPS, FedEx, DHL etc) requesting you enter your personal information. Watch out! Even if you don’t enter any information the link could install malware or spyware on your device to suck out information like bank account data.
These scammer use every trick in the book. One way is to send you fake receipts from big-name retail brands like Amazon. A receipt? It must be real! they use words like “high value” to get your attention. They get you to respond by calling or clicking on a link to get your sensitive information.
5. Merry Digital Christmas!
One of the most interesting and fun things about the internet is the ability to send digital greetings.We can email cards or text cards with cool animations and emojis. Scammers can send dangerous malware using the same method. Scammers can hide malware in these animated greeting cards and just wait for you to click on them. God help you if you download malware into the workplace computer!
This malware can infect your computer and steal valuable data or lock up your computer (or your employer’s) until you pay a ransom. If you get a digital greeting card it should say who the card is from. Call the person and ask if they really sent it. Maybe their email is compromised. You just never know.
6. Fake prize giveaways
There it is again; “Click Here.” There is never a prize with these things. Its essentially a phishing email to get your information or, worse, a malware download tool. Never respond, block then delete these emails. They are especially prevalent during the holidays because people are trying to get something for nothing. It never works. Many of the emails are designed to look like major retailers like Walmart or Target stores. Watch out!
7. Fake charities
Everyone wants to care during the holiday season. There is nothing wrong with that. We want to help those less fortunate. And the scammers want to help themselves. The best advice in this situation is to stick with charities you know and have given to before. Scammers can show up in may forms. They may send you an email, a letter in the mail or even approach you in the mall, on the street or come to your front door asking for donations. In some states they have to be a licensed charity; ask them. Ask what the church they represent? Anytime anyone is asking you for money you should be the one asking the questions. Give at your place of worship or recognized charities such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army.
8. Fake seasonal jobs
This is one scam that preys on those folks just trying to make a few extra dollars for the holidays. It focuses especially on college students. The job listing may be for secret shopper or customer service checker. The deal works like this; they offer you an hourly wage or a set payment for checking the prices at various retailers for a list of products. Or they ask you to test customer service people in various stores to make sure they are courteous. After you complete the job they will ask you to provide your social security number for taxes, a bank account and routing number to direct deposit your pay. Watch out! You never get the money and they got some very valuable information. Enough to empty your bank account. Make sure you know who you are working for. Temp jobs can be iffy. Make good contact. Get the name of the company and check their credentials with the Better Business Bureau. Don’t fall for a voice on the phone, email exchanges or even Zoom calls.
9. Fake travel
The holidays are a popular time to get away from it all. Or you may wish to plan for a trip in the New Year. Lost of great travels deals and airline sales happen during the holidays. Watch out! if you’re not careful you might end up with fake flights, hotel accommodations, car rentals. Use caution because you may find yourself rushed into buying something that does not exist. Rely upon known travel websites and agents. And make sure you are on the real Expedia or other travel website. Remember scammers can recreate websites with amazing accuracy. Check the IP address…closely! Also examine the deal closely and read the fine print. There are often a lot restrictions on those deals. If they are real at all. Ignore any travel offer that arrives in your email or text message from companies you don’t recognize.
How not get got
Scammers will continue to hone their tactics. But they will stick to the same scams year after year. So the same advice and best practices is still relevant. Here’s how not to get got
- Use strong, unique passwords and switch on two-factor authentication (2FA) or passkeys on all online your important accountsaccounts
- Don’t trust anyone or anything you read online, including offers that seem too good to be true because they are.
- Never give anyone your personal or financial information after being contacted via an unsolicited message or phone call. Remember don’t trust anyone and if they ask for money start questions. A lot of questions!
- Use websites that start with “HTTPS” or display a locked padlock (but be aware that this alone is not enough to keep you safe)
- Update your software and OS regularly to keep it as safe as possible from malicious exploits. Remember; treat your computers and devices like your home, keep it clean, keep it secure and keep it up to date.
- Install security software on all devices from trusted provider
- Avoid making payments via bank transfers or instant cash apps. Use your credit card where possible for extra protection
- For travel bookings, ensure the offer is ABTA or ATOL covered
- Double check website and email sender URLs as well as content for typos and grammatical mistakes which could indicate a fake
- Double check delivery notifications direct with the logistics firm, but not by contacting the details on your text or email
And if you do get got!
If the worst happens and you think you’ve been scammed, there are still a few steps you can take to minimize the impact. They are:
- Report the scam immediately to the FTC, the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and your local police. in the U.S. Another good thing to do is to tell everyone you now. Don’t be embarrassed. Tell everyone so the word gets around to look out for the scam.
- Tell your bank and, if relevant, freeze your cards – requesting new ones
- Stop contact with the scammer and don’t tell them why. Remember the scammer will work you for every cent he can.
- Change any passwords that may have been compromised
- Freeze your credit to prevent scammers opening new credit lines in your name. You’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax
- Gather evidence of the scam in case it is required