Malicious actors target vulnerable people around the holidays, be it Christmas, Valentine’s, or Mother’s Day. For scammers, it’s the perfect time of year to fill their own gift baskets. Due to the hustle and bustle of the festivities, with everyone scrambling around to get their hands on the best deals, people often become too distracted to notice those pesky scammers lurking in the shadows.
Online shoppers have become an all too easy target, falling for fake discounts, donating to non-existent charities, and travel deals that are definitely too good to be true. Scammers and fraudsters exploit the vulnerability of others, which is why it’s super important to always remain on guard when it comes to shopping online over the holidays.
So, we’ve put together some tips on how to avoid holiday scams and best practices for recognizing them.
Be on the lookout for phishing emails and texts
If you receive a suspicious email or text, think twice before clicking on any links they may include.
- Does it look like a legitimate link address?
- What about the email address it came from?
- Are there any spelling mistakes present?
- Were you expecting to get such an email in the first place?
Many fake emails or texts also seem urgent, making you feel as though you simply need to enter your payment details or click the link provided. Take the extra time to check over what’s been sent because sometimes it only takes one click, and they’ve got you.
Shop safely when online
While the beauty of shopping online primarily comes down to its convenience, it’s important that you only shop at legitimate websites. Be sure to make your purchases from reputable sites only – check that the URL has a padlock icon in place and begins with https://.
Another good tip is to only make your purchases with a credit card, as they tend to be much better at protecting you against potential fraudulent activity.
Beware of fake charities reaching out
It’s the season of giving, and of course, there are people out there who will take advantage of your generosity. Many online fraudsters will create fake charity websites or even replicate genuine ones.
Before you part ways with your cash, double-check the charity register and look for anything suspicious in the email. If you’re still doubtful but want to donate, head to the charity’s website and donate there.
Don’t fall for fake parcel deliveries
Holidays like Christmas are the busiest times of year for shipments, and Father Christmas isn’t the only one dropping off parcels. Fraudsters can contact you, claiming to be a delivery service, asking you for a fee or information to receive your parcel.
Be sure to track your order only through the delivery service’s website, and don’t click on links sent in emails or texts.
Be careful with gift cards
Gift cards are always popular around holidays, and of course, fraudsters have found a way to target those, too. They can empty the gift card of all funds before you even have a chance to use it or ask you for payment using the gift card itself (something a legitimate business will never ask you to do).
Purchase gift cards from the actual store, and double-check they haven’t been tampered with beforehand.
What should you do if you fall victim to a holiday scam?
- Contact your bank immediately to report fraudulent activity
- Freeze your accounts
- Report online scams here.