Stay Safe from Holiday Scammers: Tips to Protect Yourself

The holiday season is a time of joy and giving, but it’s also a time when scammers become more active. They know people are shopping, giving to charities, and sharing holiday greetings. Scammers use these opportunities to trick you and steal your money or personal information. Here are some common scams and tips to stay safe.

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1. Fake Online Shopping Deals

Scammers create fake websites that look like real online stores. They advertise amazing discounts to make you click. Once you pay, the product either never arrives or is of poor quality.

How to Stay Safe:

• Shop only on trusted websites. Look for “https” in the web address.
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Read reviews and check for customer service numbers.

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2. Phishing Emails and Texts

You may get emails or texts claiming to be from popular companies like Amazon, PayPal, or your bank. These messages might say there’s a problem with your account or that you’ve won a prize. They will ask you to click a link or provide personal information.

How to Stay Safe:

• Do not click on links or open attachments in messages from unknown senders.
• Verify the sender by contacting the company directly.
• Look out for misspellings or generic greetings like “Dear Customer.”

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3. Charity Scams

During the holidays, many people want to give to those in need. Scammers take advantage of this by creating fake charities and asking for donations.

How to Stay Safe:

• Research the charity before donating. Legitimate charities are registered and have clear contact information.
• Avoid giving through links in emails or social media. Go directly to the charity’s website.
• Never give cash or gift cards to someone you don’t know.

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4. Package Delivery Scams

You might receive a message saying you missed a package delivery, and it asks you to click a link or call a number. These scams trick people into giving personal details or downloading harmful software.

How to Stay Safe:

• Check delivery notifications only from trusted services like UPS, FedEx, or USPS.
• Track your package using the tracking number on the retailer’s official website.
• Don’t share personal information over the phone unless you are sure of the caller’s identity.

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5. Gift Card Scams

Scammers may ask you to pay for things with gift cards, pretending to be from the IRS, a utility company, or even a family member in trouble.

How to Stay Safe:

• Remember, legitimate companies or government agencies will never ask for payment in gift cards.
• Hang up on calls requesting gift card payments.
• Report suspicious requests to local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

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6. Social Media Scams

Fake contests, giveaways, and deals often pop up on social media during the holidays. These scams ask you to like, share, or provide personal information.

How to Stay Safe:

• Avoid sharing personal information on public posts.
• Check the page’s authenticity. Real companies have verified profiles with a blue checkmark.
• Be cautious of requests for sensitive details through direct messages.

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7. Public Wi-Fi Scams

Shopping or banking on public Wi-Fi is risky. Scammers can easily steal your information on unsecured networks.

How to Stay Safe:

• Avoid making purchases or entering personal information when using public Wi-Fi.
• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you must access sensitive information.
• Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections on your devices.

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8. Tech Support Scams

You may get a call or pop-up message saying your computer has a virus. The scammer will ask for remote access to fix the problem and charge a fee.

How to Stay Safe:

• Do not allow strangers to access your computer remotely.
• Legitimate tech companies will not call you out of the blue.
• Hang up and contact your computer’s support team directly if you’re unsure.

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9. Romance Scams

The holidays can be lonely, and scammers know this. They create fake online profiles and build relationships to gain your trust. Eventually, they ask for money.

How to Stay Safe:

• Be cautious with online relationships, especially if someone asks for money.
• Never send money or personal information to someone you haven’t met in person.
• Report suspicious profiles to the dating site or app.