’Tis the Season for Scammers

The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and generosity. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak time for a Grinch to steal your information.

Scammers work year-round, but the holidays present a prime opportunity to unleash schemes on the busy and distracted. Staying alert and being aware of common tricks and scams can help keep your personal and financial information safe.

1. Phishing emails or texts from companies you regularly patronize

Phishing is defined as a form of fraud in which criminals use emails, text messages, or other forms of communication that are designed to masquerade as companies or organizations you know and trust.

During the holidays, scammers pose as popular retailers—like Amazon or Apple, delivery companies such as UPS or FedEx, or even financial institutions like your credit card company—and send emails or text messages designed to steal your information. These messages often look legitimate and offer special discounts, have urgent language like “Account locked!” or ask you to verify your purchase to continue.

Spot them by watching for poor grammar, misspelled names, suspicious sender email addresses, urgent and fear-based messages, and deals that are too good to be true.

If you receive an email or text that seems suspicious, don’t click on any links. Go to the company’s website or call the company directly.

2. Package delivery scams

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), many delivery scams start with a text message or an email about a package being delivered to your address. These messages will include a “tracking link” urging you to click to update information or complete payment on an order.

Do not click the link. Go to the delivery carrier’s website or use the retailer’s tracking tools to verify information.

If you click on the link, you will be taken to a fake website designed to either steal your personal or financial information, send the scammers money, or install malware onto your device.

You may also get a voicemail message with a callback number about a missed delivery. Should you receive a phone call, look up the customer service phone number and call the delivery company directly.

Do not use a call-back number provided in a voicemail or on a “missed delivery” notification left on your door.

3. Fake charities

It’s the season of giving, and crooks are ready to take advantage of your generosity this time of year. Charity scams can take place online or even by phone. The Federal Trade Commission recommends you do your research before making a donation and be mindful of how you pay.

Keep these fraudster tricks in mind:

1. Making you feel pressured to make a donation right now.
2. Making vague and sentimental claims but giving no specifics about how your donation will be used.
3. Guaranteeing sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a donation.

Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance are two organizations to help you research charities. Before donating to a GoFundMe or similar campaign, investigate the organizer.

4. Look-alike websites

The holidays bring endless emails offering deals and announcing sales. Be wary of suspicious emails and the links provided in these emails. Some of these links may lead you to a look-alike website of one of your favorite stores.

It can be easy to click on these links without noticing the small details that make them fake, such as incorrect logos and misspelled words.

Before you enter any personal and sensitive information, make sure you are on the correct website and the link is secure (generally having an https:// start to the URL).

5. Grandparent scams

This particularly devious holiday scam mainly targets senior citizens, but anyone who finds themselves alone during the holidays are susceptible to falling for this trick.

The scam exploits the love and concern people have for family members and hypes up the sense of urgency. Scammers will also have done enough research on your family to make requests sound legit.

Criminals will typically call, text, or email posing as a grandchild (or other family member) in trouble and will ask for money either through a wire transfer or in the form of a gift card.

But don’t panic and let worry override caution.

Watch for calls coming in late at night when individuals are more likely to be caught off guard. This is a good time to let unknown phone numbers go to voicemail.

Be especially suspicious if the caller asks that the money request not be mentioned to anyone else. Take the time to contact other family members to verify if there really is trouble.