The current Holiday Scams out there, and how to protect yourself against them

Black Friday! Cyber Monday! Holiday Shopping!  With the holiday season now in full swing, law enforcement officials are urging us to remain vigilant against an uptick in scams targeting holiday shoppers and charitable donors. Criminals are exploiting the busy shopping period, using increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information.

“Criminals don’t take holidays off,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “We’re seeing scammers employing aggressive and creative schemes to take advantage of the season’s generosity and high online shopping activity.”

The FBI has identified several prevalent scams this holiday season, including:

1. Online Shopping Scams

• Fraudulent websites or ads offering goods at unrealistic discounts.
• Items purchased through third-party marketplaces using stolen credit cards or accounts.
• Puppy scams involving fake advertisements for pets, with losses reported at $5.6 million so far this year.

2. Charity Scams

• Fake charities soliciting donations through phone calls, emails, crowdfunding platforms, and social media.
• Copycat organizations mimicking legitimate charities to steal funds.

3. Cryptocurrency Investment Scams

• Fraudsters posing as trusted individuals convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. Losses are often substantial, with victims unable to retrieve their funds.

4. Gift Card Scams

• Scammers requesting gift card purchases for alleged emergencies, work-related functions, or as payment.
• Tampered cards with compromised security stickers or altered barcodes.

5. Social Media Scams

• Posts offering fake gift cards or event tickets designed to steal personal information.
• Fraudsters duplicating ticket barcodes for resale.

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Tips to Protect Yourself

To avoid becoming a victim, our friends at the FBI advise the following precautions:

• Verify Websites and Offers: If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or ads.
• Secure Your Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords for banking, shopping, and rewards accounts.
• Inspect Gift Cards: Check for signs of tampering, such as misaligned packaging or scratched-off security codes.
• Donate Wisely: Verify charities through trusted sources and avoid those soliciting donations via gift cards or wire transfers.
• Be Skeptical of Requests: Government agencies or law enforcement will never demand payments via phone, email, or gift cards.

Report Fraud: If you believe you are a victim of a scam, the FBI urges you to:

• Immediately contact your bank or financial institution.
• Report the incident to law enforcement.
• File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.

By staying informed and vigilant, shoppers and charitable donors can protect themselves from fraud, stop scammers in their tracks, and enjoy a safe holiday season.

Have a Happy and Scam Free Holiday Season! 

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Source: FBI

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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