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Holiday Scams Unwrapped: How to Protect Yourself Online

December 23, 2024

Skip the scams this holiday season by staying aware and questioning things that don’t seem right (except for Santa…never question Santa).

Watch out for these common holiday scams:

  • Fake Amazon. Investigate and verify any questionable messages allegedly from Amazon (Prime, gift cards, shipping). Go directly to the Amazon website or app.
  • Travel traps. Never give up personal details about your trips and book directly with the airlines or hotel. Scammers use fake flight confirmations and outrageous offers to trick you into giving up your information.
  • Bogus charities. Be cautious of donation requests, especially after there’s been a crisis. Research an organization before donating and only give through a charity’s official website. Don’t answer unsolicited emails or texts.
  • Card creeps. Never buy gift cards for an organization using company funds or pay up front with the promise of reimbursement. This is a classic scam.

The FBI recommends these steps to protect yourself:

  • Think Before You Click. Don’t click suspicious links or attachments in emails, texts or on social media. Always verify a sender’s identity.
  • Verify, Don’t Trust. If a company asks you to update your password or account, find their phone number and call them. Never trust unsolicited requests for sensitive info.
  • Shop Securely. Only use websites with “https” in their web address. Check reviews before buying from a new company.
  • Be Smart When Buying/Selling. Research buyers/sellers and be wary of anyone with poor or no feedback.
  • Pay Safely.
    • Never wire money directly to a seller.
    • Avoid using pre-paid gift cards for payments. Scammers love them!
    • Use credit cards when shopping online and monitor your statements for any purchases you didn’t make.
    • Track Your Orders. Always get tracking numbers. If you’re a seller, verify payment before shipping, especially if the billing address doesn’t match the shipping address.