I was watching “Matlock” the other night. I’d settled in, remote control in hand, ready to zip through the commercials. (Aren’t DVRs wonderful?) Before I could hit the fast forward button, a Black Friday ad came on and that one was followed by holiday shopping deals at Wal Mart. Holy cow! It’s time to think about holiday scams!
With the holidays just around the corner, we need to review some information about holiday scams.
Just as retailers plan for the holidays, scammers plan on how to scam us. They use Artificial Intelligence. They create fake websites. They spoof phone numbers. They pose as celebrities, law enforcement, romantic interests, and anyone else that might get to your wallet or your information. They acquire fake uniforms and fake identification. THEY HAVE NO CONSCIENCE!!
We know about Porch Pirates – the wonderful people who follow delivery trucks and swipe packages from your doorstep. * Arrange for a neighbor to get your packages, have them delivered to a safe place, or have them held for pick-up. *Video surveillance systems deter some criminals and allow the capture of others. *You can upgrade your mail box with a lock or provide a delivery box with a lock on your porch.
Do you shop online? Be cautious. Scammers will create fake online stores or offer fake apps. They will advertise on social media and can appear when you do searches. They may offer unbelievable prices on the holiday’s most sought-after gifts. (Unbelievable is a key word.) Offers may include jewelry, electronics, clothing, anything!! PayPal offers some tips on avoiding online scams. *Do a search and follow the company’s name with the word “scam”. * Look carefully at the web address. It will probably be a little bit off if it’s not legitimate.
Charity scams depend on our spirit of generosity and compassion during the holidays. These scammers may pose as any number of charities that would tug at our heartstrings. *Donate to a trusted charity of choice. *Check on Charity Navigator to see how a charity rates. *Don’t be pressured. *If you’re interested, ask that they snail mail information to you.
You get a text that says “Can you pick up Mitzi after school?” and you think you’re being nice by texting back and telling them they have the wrong number. Don’t! It’s most likely a scam. Someone wants you to respond. They can try to hook you by acting friendly and establishing a relationship. They also know that they have reached a working number. Don’t respond. Delete the text.
Consumers must be alert and proactive. Scammers are getting more aggressive and they are getting more sophisticated. Technology has given scammers tools that allow audio and video manipulation. Internet has allowed information to be shared that used to be confidential or difficult to obtain. Everything is offered for a price – including our information. Do NOT share personal information.
Be safe. Don’t let scammers steal your holiday joy!
