As you shop or donate this holiday season, be vigilant about schemes that may steal your money or personal information.
You can avoid most scams by following a few simple precautions. Always be cautious with social media ads that promote discounted items, holiday events, job opportunities, donation requests, and direct messages from strangers. If you are asked to donate or pay via wire transfer, through a third party, or using a prepaid debit or gift card, tread carefully.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), be mindful of these scams that could cut into your holiday cheer:
1. Misleading Social Media Ads
Be cautious of product advertisements as you scroll through social media. Always research before buying. The Better Business Bureau regularly reports cases where people pay for items they never receive, are charged for unrequested free trials, or receive counterfeit products that differ from what was shown.
2. Social Media Gift Exchanges
This scheme pops back up each holiday season. Versions of this scam revolve around exchanging bottles of wine or bourbon; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another twist asks you to submit your email to a list where participants get to pick a name and send money to strangers to "pay it forward." Participants may unknowingly share personal information and tricked into sending gifts or money to strangers. This could be an illegal pyramid scheme, so buying gifts from trusted businesses is advisable.
3. Holiday Apps
Apple's App Store and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish lists. Review privacy policies to see what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee. Free apps can also contain malware. Be sure to read reviews.
4. Fake Toll Collection Texts
If you're driving long distances this holiday season, be wary of fake toll collection texts. Scammers may impersonate state toll services and claim you owe a toll fee, often providing a link for payment. Don't click any links. Verify any toll inquiries directly with the legitimate agency.
5. Free Gift Cards
Nothing brings good cheer like the word "FREE." Scammers are known to take advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting personal information to receive gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies and promise gift cards to reward loyal customers. They may also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying they were randomly selected as the prize winner. If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Instead, mark it as spam or junk and delete it.
6. Temporary Holiday Jobs
When seeking seasonal work, be wary of opportunities that seem too good to be true. During the holiday season, retailers and delivery services often hire extra staff in response to increased shopping and online orders. It's important to be alert for scams that target job seekers, as these scams aim to steal personal information and money.
7. Impostor Scams
During the holiday season, be cautious of impostor scams, especially while shopping online. Scammers may create fake websites to trick you into downloading malware, making pointless purchases, or sharing personal information. When seeking customer support on social media, be wary of fake accounts pretending to be representatives. To be safe, check the business's official website for verified social media handles or contact information.
8. Fake Charities
The last few weeks of the year are a busy time for charitable donations. Donors are advised to look out for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they do today. Verify a charity at BBB's Give.org website. Donating to the charity through their website and using a credit card is best.
9. Fake Shipping Notifications
During the holiday season, more online purchases lead to increased notifications about shipping details. Scammers exploit this by sending phishing emails and texts about deliveries, often containing malicious links or requests for unexpected shipping fees. To protect yourself, never click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, track your package by using the retailer's original confirmation email or text.
10. Advent Calendars
Each year, there are more and more advent calendars sold. In past years, BBB received reports from Scam Tracker about advent calendar ads on social media not being delivered as promised. Some consumers did not receive their calendars; others received inferior products or incomplete orders. Consumers should research before they buy, read reviews, and look up the company on BBB.org before purchasing. BBB also has a shopper's guide to help you buy that niche advent calendar.
11. Holiday Wishlist Items
Low-priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are often cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. The same applies to popular toys. Be cautious when purchasing popular toys from Facebook Marketplace and other platforms from resellers.
12. Puppy Scams
Many families consider adding a furry friend during this time of year. Be cautious of scams. Experts warn that around 80% of online pet advertisements may be fake. Always meet the pet in person or do a Facetime chat and look for online reviews of that seller before making a purchase.
Visit the Better Business Bureau’s website at www.bbb.org for more tips and resources.
