The 12 Scams of Christmas (part one)
The holiday season isn’t all about happiness and cheer. For plenty of people, this time of year comes with stress and worry as they become victims of the latest scams. Don’t let this happen to you! Here are popular scams that you can be on the lookout for.
Brushing schemes
Have you opened your door or mailbox to find an order that you didn’t place? If it is not a legitimate gift from someone you know, it is likely part of a brushing scam. This occurs when scammers get ahold of your personal information and use it to mail items that you did not order. They do this to post fake reviews on retail sites (like Amazon) to appear more credible. In some cases, they even have accomplices who look for the packages to arrive, then steal them from your front door.
Phishing
Fraudsters are tech-savvy! They look for any way that they can to trick you, and one easy way is to send a fake email or text message hoping you take the bait and reveal your information to them. Before you open an email, consider if you know the sender, if you were expecting the message and if it is coming from where it claims to. Be sure to check the domain name carefully!
Spoofing
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Did you know that a phone number can easily be spoofed? That means that when you receive a call, it may look like it is coming from a legitimate source, but in reality, a scammer could be using it to con you. Protect your information by never revealing personally identifiable information over the phone. If the caller sounds suspicious, or if something doesn’t feel right, hang up! It is always best to end any call that doesn’t sit well with you and call the company or person back at a known, published number!
COVID-scams
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COVID-19 is still here and it is thriving! Scammers will try and deceive you by claiming that they have the cure or home testing devices. Don’t fall for it! While there are treatments and vaccines available, we do not have a cure. Speaking of vaccines, keep your vaccine card in a safe place! Scammers can use your vaccine card to create fakes, so refrain from sharing photos of them on social media or with anyone who does not need it.
Grandparent scams
Picture this – you are home gearing up for the holidays when you get a call. Your grandchild is in major trouble and they need you to send money right away to help them. This is a common scam. The caller usually requests money from Western Union or via a gift card. If you receive a call like this, do not give them any information. Instead, hang up and call the family member yourself.
Romance scams
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We’ve talked about this scam before, but it bears repeating. A romance scam frequently targets senior citizens with a promise of a romantic relationship. After the fraudster gains their victim’s trust, they start asking for money. Unsuspecting targets can lose out on tens of thousands of dollars before they finally catch on that the relationship was never real, to begin with. If pursuing a relationship with someone, always insist on meeting them face to face in public. Scammers will often use tactics to avoid meetings. Even if you speak over the phone, it is best to proceed with caution until and unless you have met the person on the other side of the relationship.
Have you ever dealt with any of these scams? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or email me.
Krista Kyte is a personal finance blogger and personal banker with over 18 years of experience in the financial industry. Krista is passionate about helping our members understand their financial situations. She writes tips that help consumers reach and maintain financial security and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
