The holiday season is here! Unfortunately, so are the holiday scams. On this Fraud Friday, we are highlighting three scams to watch out for during the holidays.
- Fraudulent Emails & Text Messages (aka Phishing and Smishing)
Many shoppers do most, if not all, of their gift buying online. Scammers like to take advantage of the uptick in online shopping and financial transactions during this time of year by sending out emails and text messages impersonating organizations – this includes pretending to be your bank, posing as a package delivery company, claiming to be a popular retailer, and many more.
Also known as phishing and smishing, these scams try to convince you to click on malicious links via email or text. For example, a phishing email during the holidays could look like it’s from UPS and claim that your package could not be delivered so you must click a link to reschedule. Or, a smishing text could involve a fraudulent message claiming to be from your bank, warning you of a suspicious transaction and prompting you to click on a link to secure your account.
Stop the scam by…
- Avoiding clicking on links from unsolicited emails or texts — even if it sounds urgent.
- Verifying the sender’s authenticity by directly contacting the company it’s supposedly coming from using their verified website or listed contact info.
- Social Media Ads
Social media and online shopping seem to go hand-in-hand these days and scammers use this to their benefit. The best ads on social media platforms get you to stop scrolling by capturing your attention and sparking curiosity in their product, leading you to click on the ad to go to their website. Be careful before checking out because some of these ads may be coming from scammers.
Recently, scammers have been using social media ads to drive consumers to websites that offer deals too good to be true. For example, you come across an ad on social media for a popular product at an unbelievable discount. If it turns out to be a scam, providing your payment details can result in a potential loss of funds and oftentimes, the product never arrives.
Stop the scam by…
- Using secure payment methods that offer fraud protection, such as a credit card or PayPal.
- Researching the company thoroughly before purchasing. Enter the company into a search engine, double check the URL, read reviews, and verify the ad’s authenticity.
- Charity Scams
Perhaps the saddest of the three holiday scams, fraudsters like to prey upon people’s charitable spirit during the holidays. One way in which scammers do this is by sending communications while impersonating real non-profits or charity organizations. There are other instances in which scammers may set up fraudulent posts on social media that gain popularity and drive you to a website asking for donations. Do your research before donating so your hard-earned dollars go to those in need this holiday season — not the scammers.
Stop the scam by…
- Being cautious of unsolicited requests for donations. Verify the request’s authenticity before donating.
- Always donating through legitimate charity websites. Or be sure to verify the legitimacy of new charities through services like the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of us! Guthrie County State Bank is here for you this holiday season!