Be Aware of Holiday Scams
Oct 17, 2023
It is hard to believe that the holidays are already upon us. With excitement and cheer filling the air, it is also a time of chaos and massive to-do lists. With that in mind, we are all more susceptible to holiday scams, and before we know it, our information has been compromised because we clicked on a link too hastily. Big purchases and holidays are synonymous with one another, and therefore we need to make sure that we are being vigilant when protecting our credit card data.
There are three target areas in which threats persist:
- Fake charities
- Online shopping scams
- Fraudulent communications about shipping issues
When it comes to fake charities, think before you donate. Maybe instead of donating in person (if you are not at the charity’s place of business), go to the charity’s verified website and contribute through their secure online portal. The scam could also come in the form of an email. Before clicking any link to donate, look for common phishing indicators so that you don’t get directed to a malicious website where they steal your credit card information.
Phishing emails are also where you will find online shopping scams. With the increase in spending comes the increase in fraudulent websites that sell fake goods. Make sure to verify that the retailer is legitimate:
- Check reviews
- Check that the website has a secure connection using “https”
- Check for issues with horrible grammar
- Huge discounts on things that are typically expensive (70-90% off discounts on expensive, brand name items)
Lastly, be aware of fraudulent texts or calls about shipping delays. It is easy to get worked up when you get a message stating that there are shipping delays on the items you ordered and that they won’t arrive on time. When you receive these notifications, take a step back, breathe, and check the message for spelling errors or a request to click the link to get more details. If the message is riddled with errors or wants you to click a link, delete the message, and verify its validity by going to the website where you purchased the items to check the shipping status. Oftentimes, the vendor where you purchased the item from will not send text messages of this nature. That is because they have a secure platform in which you can check at any time, even on the go.
If you stay apprised during these joyful times, you will further protect your data from harm.
