It’s been quite some time since we last shared a blog post but with the holidays upon us, we thought it would be beneficial to highlight some types of scams you may encounter during this holiday season. Some common scams to keep an eye out for include:
- Phishing and Smishing – These scams are carried out by scammers using email messages (phishing) or text messages (smishing) to try to trick potential victims into providing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account information. These messages may initially appear legitimate, often using similar web addresses or contact numbers. Make sure to verify the legitimacy of an email’s or text message’s source before responding and never provide financial account information via email or text!
- Fake Shopping Websites – These scams involve the use of fake websites (sometimes designed to appear nearly identical to a legitimate online shopping website) to deceive unknowing consumers into providing their credit card information, after which the scammers will make fraudulent charges to the victim’s account or sell their account information on the dark web to other criminals. Always verify that the URL of the website is the actual website of the retailer you wish to purchase from, and always research online companies for reviews and reports of scam activity!
- Gift Card Scams – These scams are carried out by scammers who pose as friends or family members, debt collectors, or government officials who call victims to request or demand payment via gift cards (ex. Apple gift cards). As a general rule, never purchase and provide gift card information over the phone!
To learn more about these and other common types of holiday scams and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, check out the ACAMS Today publication Holiday Scams to Watch Out for in 2024.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
