Unfortunately, scams around the holiday season are very common. TruChoice is here to provide information and tips on how to avoid common scams.
Phishing Attempts
“Scammers use the busyness of the holiday season to send phishing emails posing as companies or agencies that you trust. For example, they may impersonate companies like Amazon or Apple to offer ‘giveaways’ or claim to be from your bank and warning you that your account has been compromised.”1
These are some warning signs to look out for surrounding phishing scams:
- Getting a random message offering a special offer or congratulating you on winning a prize for a giveaway you never entered. Treat any communication you didn’t request with caution
- If the message contains a strange link, that’s another big warning sign. The scammer is trying to get you to infect your device with malware or click through to a fake website. Do not click on any links!
- Notice the small details; a phishing scam will often have weird spelling, grammar, and formatting errors
Grandparent Scams
Another variation of these phishing scams is a scammer targeting senior citizens by pretending to be a grandchild in trouble. These fraudsters will text, email, or call and impersonate a family member. They will then ask for money, typically in the form of gift cards or wire transfers. Watch out for these scams by paying attention to warning signs. If they instruct you not to tell anyone, create a sense of urgency, and/or the message sounds odd, do not respond. Reach out to the family member directly instead.
Don’t Pay with Gift Cards
Any type of transaction where you need to send payment via gift cards is likely a scam. Once you purchase a gift card, you cannot get that money back. Gift cards should only be used as gifts for people you know and should only be purchased from reputable retailers. If you are holiday shopping and the seller requests payment in gift cards, look elsewhere! A reputable seller is not going to ask for gift cards.
Missed Delivery Scams
With how common it is to wait for packages around the holidays, you may get texts or emails saying your delivery was unable to be completed as requested and to follow a link or call a phone number. In this case, do not click on any links because they will infect your device with malware that allows the fraudster to capture your passwords or gain control of your device. Do not engage with these messages in any way; it is an attempt to get your information and can and should be ignored. Delivery companies like FedEx and UPS will never ask for your social security number or credit card number to find a delivery.
Too Good To Be True
Some offers really are too good to be true. We all love a good deal on big-ticket items, however, sometimes offers actually are too good to be true. If you see a big-ticket item at a steep discount and are being offered a sob story about how they need to sell it immediately, but ask for payment via Zelle, Cash App, or another app, it is most likely a scam. It is also common for discounted travel opportunities and offers to be advertised on social media during the holiday season. These links will lead to a fake booking site. Avoid this scam by verifying deals; go to the company’s site directly and do not click on the link from social media.
Charity Scams
Sadly, another common holiday scam involves scammers preying on our generosity. When donating to charities, make sure you verify the URL is correct and secure. Be suspicious if you encounter hard-sell tactics or vague language. It should be obvious how your donation will be spent, and charities should never threaten you to get that donation. This scam can be avoided by thoroughly researching charities before you donate. Several resources are helpful for this: Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Navigator. And in the case of a GoFundMe or similar instance, research the organizer or group before giving your money.
Fake Holiday Giveaways
Another scam common on social media during this time of year is fake holiday giveaways or surveys which advertise gifts or “free cash” in exchange for personal information. 2 Scammers have ways of making these giveaways look real, such as having bot accounts like the posts which can make them look more legitimate. One key warning sign of this scam is if you are asked to provide sensitive information in exchange for a free gift. The bottom line: Don’t trust anyone who offers you free money or gifts — especially if you have never entered the giveaway. If you’re asked to provide sensitive information to redeem a prize, it’s a scam. 1
TruChoice is here for you! We are happy to answer any questions you may have about a potential scam; if something feels off, please reach out to us!
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