Watch Out For These Seasonal Scams

As the holiday season draws near, it's not just the time for joy and giving—it’s also peak season for scammers. Fraudsters take advantage of the festive hustle and bustle, creating schemes designed to exploit your holiday spirit and generosity. Protecting yourself from these schemes is essential to ensure your holiday remains merry and stress-free.

Common Holiday Scams

Scammers use a variety of tactics to deceive people during the holiday season. Here are some of the most prevalent schemes to watch out for:

1. Fake Apps
Fraudsters create malicious apps that mimic popular shopping, delivery, or holiday-themed apps. These fake apps may request access to sensitive information, such as your credit card details or personal data, and can even infect your device with malware.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Only download apps from official app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store.

• Check reviews and ratings before downloading.

• Verify the developer’s name to ensure the app is legitimate.

2. Phony Websites and Untrusted Links
Scammers often create fake websites or send phishing emails and texts with links to "exclusive deals" or "holiday discounts." These websites may look genuine but are designed to steal your personal and financial information.

How to Determine a Trusted Site:

• Look for "https://" and a padlock icon in the URL.

• Avoid sites with typos in their web address or those that look unprofessional.

• Cross-check the website with reviews or references to verify its authenticity.

• Search for the item on other trusted websites. Sometimes, it's worth paying a little more to ensure you're not getting scammed by a deal that seems too good to be true.

3. Credit Card Scams
During the holidays, scammers may use tactics like skimming devices at ATMs or fraudulent phone calls pretending to be from your bank. They aim to gain access to your credit card details and make unauthorized charges.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Monitor your bank statements regularly for suspicious activity.

• Use credit cards with fraud protection for online shopping.

• Avoid sharing card details over the phone unless you’re certain of the recipient’s legitimacy.

4. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular holiday present, but they’re also a favorite target for scammers. Fraudsters may sell tampered cards or create fake offers, convincing you to pay with gift cards for goods or services.

How to Stay Safe:

• Purchase gift cards directly from reputable retailers.

• There have been reports of gift cards inside stores being tampered with. Inspect the packaging carefully, especially the PIN area, for signs of interference. If you’re unsure, ask the store about the cards' security—even if you seem overly cautious, it’s better to be safe.

• Buy gift cards from the retailer's official website or from large, trusted retailers to minimize risks.

• Never use gift cards to pay for unexpected bills, fines, or fees—this is a red flag.

5. “Too Good to Be True” Discounts
Scammers lure shoppers with offers that sound too good to pass up, such as massive discounts on high-end items. These deals are often fake, leaving you with either counterfeit products or nothing at all.

How to Spot Fake Discounts:

• Compare prices across multiple trusted websites.

• Be cautious of deals that require immediate payment via untraceable methods like wire transfers or prepaid cards.

• Stick to well-known retailers for large purchases.

Tips to Stay Safe

Think Before You Click: Be cautious of unsolicited messages, emails, or ads offering holiday deals.

Secure Your Information: Avoid entering personal details on unknown platforms.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts.

Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest scam alerts and trends in your area.

Celebrate Safely

The holiday season should be a time of joy, not stress. By staying vigilant and taking precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to holiday scams. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe and shop smart this holiday season!