During the Holiday Season, there are often mixed emotions.?There is the joy of gathering with loved ones, some of whom you only see once or twice per year.?There is also the anticipation of sharing stories, jokes, and gifts.?It is a time of reflection when we look at what transpired this past year.
Unfortunately, cyber-criminals also look forward to this holiday season unleashing their scams on us while we are distracted during the holidays, office parties, family vacations, year-end planning, etc.?They particularly target vulnerable seniors.
Be aware of these 4 common holiday scams to protect yourself and your family this holiday season:
- Package Delivery Scams:??Last season, an estimated three billion packages were shipped.?It was just reported that in 2020, Amazon has surpassed FedEx in packages delivered.?Amazon shipped 4.2 billion compared to 3.3 billion for FedEx.?It is easy to spot an Amazon box from afar.?A popular scam is receiving a text or email that asks you to click on a link for bogus reasons, such as a delivery update, tracking a package, or giving your payment preferences.?Clicking that link can infect your phone and/or computer with malware that enables a cyber-criminal to capture your password or take control of your computer.?Sometimes, they give you a number and use fake call centers to sweet-talk you into giving them your credit card number.
- Missed Package Scams:?It is annoying to miss a package delivery, especially when the gift is needed now.?Cyber-criminals know this and prey on this frustration and urgency.?One of their scams is to leave a phony note on your door claiming to have your package that could not be delivered.?This note often contains a phone number to call and reschedule the delivery and now we are back to scam #1, when they finesse your personal information.?It is also popular for thieves to just walk up to your home and take that box from your porch.?This happens so frequently, that they are referred to as “Porch Pirates!”
- Gift Card Scams:?A common gift card scam involves receiving a phony or “phishing” email or text that seems to be from someone you know.?It can also be a personal request from a friend or relative who claims to need help ordering gift cards.
- Social Media Scams:?During this holiday season, you might see promotions on social media sites offering vouchers, prizes, or gift cards in exchange for completing an online survey.?This is usually a fake survey to entice you to give them your personal information.?
Cybercrime is so prevalent these days, the odds are good that you or someone you know has been hacked. A few years ago, my visa card was hacked three times in under two years.?My Facebook account was also compromised, and I was wondering why until friends of mine were asking why I needed money while on vacation.
See my list of preventable measures to avoid being scammed, so we can all enjoy the holidays while reducing stress:
- Download the Delivery Apps:?Whichever delivery service you prefer, download their secured app which gives you scam protection.
- Cross Reference Phone Numbers:?If you receive a missed delivery note, look up the phone number online before rushing to make that call.
- Check the Note:?If you receive a sticky note on your door, take a close look at it for misspellings, fake logos, or other suspicious signs of fraud.
- Check Websites Before Clicking on Them:?Type the website address directly into your browser because search links could direct you straight into their scam.
- Consider Adding a Security System:?These systems come in a variety of styles and prices.?They allow you to observe outside your front door from your phone or computer.?An interesting system is the “Reolink Argus 2!’?This wireless system uses solar energy to recharge itself.?I have seen price ranges from $73.99 on Walmart.com to $119.69 on the Reolink.com website.
The bottom line is that we cannot eliminate scams or scammers; however, we can be more aware of them and avoid them.?
Wishing you and your family the Happiest of Holiday Seasons and Good Health!!
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