DON’T GET “GRINCHED” THIS HOLIDAY: Protect Yourself from Holiday Scammers

 

DON’T GET “GRINCHED” THIS HOLIDAY:
Protect Yourself from Holiday Scammers

6 Scams to Be Sure You Don’t Get Tricked By

 

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it is also a time when you are likely at your busiest… and scammers are too. It’s important to stay cautious to ensure your holiday festivities – and your new year – aren’t ruined by scammers taking advantage of you.

In this post, we’ll explore the latest holiday scams and provide tips for ensuring you keep your hard-earned money safe.

 

SCAM #1: Holiday Shipping and Packages

The first scam has been widespread the last few holiday seasons, and aims to prey on the fact that many people are ordering gifts or may believe an unexpected package is headed their way.

Targets may receive a shipping notification via text or email, requiring them to click and input personal information to confirm they want the package. However, this is a crafty way for fraudsters to steal information.

For example, you may receive a message from a well-known organization (UPS^®, Amazon^®, Wal-Mart^®) claiming a package is on hold, and will only be delivered if you take certain actions, like paying a fee or providing personal information.

Protect Yourself:  Never provide money or personal information in order to receive a package. Go straight to the source (whoever the message claims to be from) to verify legitimacy.

 

 

SCAM #2: “Did you Make These Purchases?”

Similarly, this scam is a deceptive tactic employed by fraudsters to trick individuals into revealing personal and financial information. In this attempt, victims typically receive a text message or phone call from a supposed organization, often impersonating a bank, credit card company, or online retailer. The message informs the recipient of suspicious transactions and asks if they made specific purchases.

You may receive a phone call from a random number where the caller says, “This call is to authorize the payment of $1499 for the recent order of Apple^® MacBook Pro on your Amazon account. If you did not authorize this payment, please press one to speak to our customer support representative.”

These criminals are hoping to catch you off guard and provoke a hasty response, luring you into sharing sensitive information, such as account numbers or passwords.

Protect Yourself:  Always verify the legitimacy of these messages by independently contacting your bank or service provider using the number, email or chat you find on their website.

 

 

SCAM #3:  Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and Cash App Transactions

These types of scams are typically malicious actors using P2P payment platforms, like those available via your bank, Zelle, or Venmo, to convince someone to send money. A scammer may pose as a friend or acquaintance in urgent need, requesting immediate financial support.

For instance, you may receive a message from a seemingly distressed friend that says, “Hey, I’m stuck at the grocery store without my wallet. Can you send me $100 on XYZ App?” However, the person behind the message is an imposter looking to exploit your goodwill.

Protect Yourself:  Always confirm the identity of the person making the request through a separate communication channel, such as a phone call or a different messaging app. Be cautious when receiving unsolicited requests for money, and if something seems suspicious, take the time to verify its validity before taking any action.

 

 

SCAM #4: Amazon Gift Card and “Free Money” Surveys

Free money or gift cards during the holiday season sound like a welcome way to pay for gifts, but it is typically too good to be true.

In these scams, individuals often receive messages, emails, or pop-up ads claiming to offer free gift cards to reputable merchants, like Amazon, Home Depot or Target, or quick money in exchange for participating in surveys. Scammers use these surveys to collect sensitive data, such as names, addresses, and sometimes even credit card information.

For example, you might receive an email that states, “Congratulations! You’ve won a $100 Amazon gift card. Just complete this quick survey to claim your prize.”

Protect Yourself:  Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true and avoid clicking on the links within a message. Verify the legitimacy of such offers through official channels, and never share sensitive information with unverified sources.

 

 

SCAM #5: QR Codes

Also called QR code phishing, criminals entice unsuspecting people to use their camera app to scan a QR code, which directs to a website that appears authentic. The site then prompts to enter personal information, but the website is actually a clever cover to steal those details.

In this situation, criminals could send an unsolicited prompt telling you that a payment didn’t go through, and that you need to scan their QR code to make that payment.

Alternatively, QR codes are simple to generate, and imposters have been printing QR code stickers to paste over real QR codes, which is another reason it’s important to be vigilant.

Protect Yourself:  Only scan QR codes from trusted sources. Before inputting any information, double check the URL (website address) that the code has directed you to and make sure it’s a real website. Try a QR code scanner app, as most provide additional security checks.

 

 

SCAM #6:  Rental Vacation Homes

Fraudsters can make a great deal of money by posing as property owners or agents to deceive travelers into paying for non-existent vacation rentals.

In these scams, victims may come across enticing vacation rental listings online, especially those that seem reasonably- or low-priced, complete with photos and descriptions. However, when a traveler requests to book and makes a payment, they discover that the property doesn’t exist, or the “agent” didn’t really have access to it.

Protect Yourself:  Only book accommodations through reputable websites or agencies, like Vrbo, Booking.com or Expedia, with verified reviews and track records. Avoid wire transfers or unusual payment methods; use secure payment platforms. Additionally, be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, as these are often red flags for potential scams.
 

 

OTHER WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Here are two additional considerations for keeping your money safe during this or any time of the year:  protect your shopping and banking passwords and keeping yourself safe via your social media profiles.

 

First, some tips on password safety:

 

1. Create strong passwords:  Use a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Make your passwords at least 12 characters long. Avoid using easily guessable information, such as birthdays or common words.
2. Use unique passwords:  Do not use the same password for multiple accounts. Create a unique password for each site or service. Consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your passwords.
3. Use Two-Factor Authorization (2FA):  Whenever possible, enable 2FA for both your shopping and banking accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, typically a unique code sent via a text message or phone call. Never share these codes with anyone.
4. Regularly update passwords:  Most security professionals recommend changing your passwords at least every 3-6 months. If you have been notified of a security breach, change your passwords immediately. Once criminals gain access to one account, they will quickly try for others.
5. Secure your devices:  Use strong device passwords or biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint or face recognition) to lock your smartphone, tablet, and computer. Enable remote wiping features in case your device is lost or stolen.

 

And finally, a few tips for staying safe on social media:

 

1. Review privacy settings:  Regularly check and update your privacy settings on social media platforms. Security professionals recommend you only allow your profiles and posts to be visible to people you trust.
2. Be cautious with personal information:  Do not share sensitive information like your home address, phone number or financial details on your profile.
3. Be skeptical of friend requests and messages:  Verify the identity of people who send you friend requests or messages, especially if a friend request comes from someone you are already connected to. Scammers often impersonate friends or family members.
4. Be cautious of suspicious links:  Criminals use malicious links in posts or attachments in messages to spread malware or phishing scams.
5. Don’t share travel plans:  Avoid posting your travel plans or sharing real-time location updates, as this information can make you a target for theft or other crimes.

 

If you remember only one key takeaway from this post, remember this:  nearly all scams can be avoided by remembering that you should never share personal or sensitive information with anyone, including your address, social security number, username, passwords, credit/debit card numbers, CVV codes or PINs.

Legitimate organizations will never ask for this information unsolicited and will only request certain details to verify your identity when you contact them directly.

To safeguard yourself and your finances this holiday, keep yourself informed, be cautious and follow the tips we have shared in this. Learn more about fraud prevention on our website HERE. As always, we’re here to help at Bank of the Bluegrass. If you’re concerned about potential fraud or unsure about a message you received, please call us at (859) 233-4500.

This post is for informational purposes only. No one method alone will protect from fraud.