The arrival of the holiday season leaves numerous opportunities open for scammers. It is because this time of year is when we are most distracted and worried. There is always someone looking to separate you from his money and the last thing anyone needs in a tough economy like this is to lose their money and identity to a criminal. Below are some types of scams to be aware of.
Online Membership Programs – Scammers will use “rewards or discounts” pop-ups in the guise of major companies to get people to sign up with the scammer’s company and unknowingly provide personal or financial information. No matter how good the deal or special offers are, you should always be skeptical of “rewards or discounts” pop-ups. If you do click on one, be sure to read the fine print, and then check your credit card statement regularly.
Smishing: Authorities say these are automated text messages asking for personal information. Be sure to always check the callback number on Google to make sure it is legitimate.
Fake Charities: The holidays bring out the best in most people and our thoughts turn to helping those less fortunate. That is why you will find so many resources for the most needy cases. Make sure the appeal is real. Call the main office of any nonprofit organization that approaches you to make sure they actually have one. Go online and snoop around. Check with Charity Navigator or the Attorney General’s Office in your state. Make sure you’re actually making a difference, rather than just making a scammer a little richer.
Frequent Small Charges – In these cases, scammers will “test” victims by making small charges on their credit card to see if they get caught. If they go undetected, the scammer will make larger and larger charges. To be on the safe side, be sure to check your bank statement monthly and call the company if you don’t recognize any charges.
Skimmers – Fraudsters capture keypad and card information when consumers enter their PIN number at ATMs, gas stations, restaurants, etc. They can then use this to extract money from the ‘victims’ accounts. To avoid becoming a victim, always select the “credit” option at retail stores, gas stations, and restaurants, even if you are using a debit card. By selecting “credit”, you do not have to enter your PIN and are less liable for fraud. With ATMs, try to use your bank’s whenever possible.
Counterfeit Products – Scammers will sell counterfeit electronics with faulty wiring and fuses or dangerous chemicals. To be sure, verify that the product is real by checking the package for misspellings or abnormal qualities.
We cannot forget about the most common scam that is carried out through email. If someone contacts you by email and tells you that a family member or dear friend has left you some money for the holidays, but in order for you to receive it, you need to send them money on a gift card to get it. Tell them to fuck off! Is a gotcha!
One last thing to note, public Wi-Fi hotspot is never private. Keep this in mind during use.
Remember to be safe. Be attentive. Happy Holidays!