SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) While gifts are being wrapped and lights are being hung, fraudsters are devising ways to leverage the holidays to scam you out of your money. Because an urgency to buy gifts and find deals make the season a time of high risk, it is more important than ever to exercise caution and to know that scams can come in-person, by phone, by email, by text or even via social media.
Last year, Darktrace researchers detected a 692% increase in Black Friday-themed phishing attacks in late November, where fraudsters sent emails to trick people into taking certain actions, and Visa identified a 284% increase in fake and spoofed merchant websites in the four months leading up to the holiday season. A Norton Cyber Safety survey found that around a third of Americans have been targeted by a holiday shopping scam, and around half of those targeted actually fell victim.
What are some of the most prevalent seasonal scams?
Gift Card Scams. Pre-paid gift cards can be taken off the rack, drained of the funds and then repackaged, meaning you buy a gift card that has no value. Criminals attempting to scam you may also ask for payment via gift card, realizing payment is instant and your money will be irretrievable.
Package Scams. Scammers may make false claims about a returned package or other delivery issues to convince you to give them personal information. Criminals may even go as far as sending a package you didn’t order to force you to engage with them with an aim to elicit your personal information or a payment.
False Claims. Holiday fraud attempts are often made by making false claims that either a credit card was declined or that you are owed a refund of some sort, prompting you to engage and provide information.
Online Scams. Fake online shopping websites and too-good-to-be-true sales or offers are widely promoted by email and on social media. A lot of these deals will highlight a limited window of opportunity to force immediate action and create a sense of urgency.
Charity Scams. Scammers create phony charities to exploit the generosity of people during the season of giving by creating professional and legitimate-looking material online, complete with branding, photos and compelling stories.
Here are some ways to help protect yourself and your wallet:
• Be Suspicious. Maintain awareness that there are a lot of fake offers and false claims during the holiday season and take the time to carefully investigate anyone you don’t know who contacts you or sends packages and asks for your personal or payment information.
• Stay Alert. Check gift cards to make sure the PINs aren’t exposed with the coverings already scratched off before you purchase them. Keep track of your accounts and flag any suspicious transactions for your financial services provider or bank. If needed, freeze your account and have cards reissued. Setting up alerts with your bank enables them to flag these issues for you, too.
• Don’t Rush. Even if the deal or gift offered online or on social media seems like a great value, pause before clicking. Research the organization and stick with trusted brands and points of sale when making purchases whenever possible.
• Check Charities. Research charities before giving by utilizing a reliable charity checking site like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch or GuideStar.
For more information on best practices to help prevent fraud, visit PNC’s Security and Privacy Center.
A little extra caution around the holidays can make for a season that is merry and bright.
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Photo Credit: (c) Nanci Santos / iStock via Getty Images Plus
