The holidays are the perfect time of the year to reminisce with friends and celebrate with family; however, the holidays are also the perfect opportunity for hackers and scammers to steal from innocent people.
We outlined online shopping tips last week to stay safe while shopping online, but in this blog, we are outlining the top scams – cyber and physical crimes to watch out for this holiday season.
Phishing Emails: As we mentioned in our last blog, it is important to beware of shopping-related phishing schemes. Fake emails are some of the most deployed cybercrimes at the end of the year. Hackers will spoof major retailer emails that are almost indistinguishable from the real ones. It is extremely important to remain vigilant when clicking on emails, and always remember to never share payment information via email.
Fake Charities: ‘Tis the season for gift-giving, and for many that means making monetary donations to charitable causes. Unfortunately, scammers view the holiday season as an opportunity to take advantage of the giving spirit. Check with the national association of charity officials before donating to any unknown charities or causes. Donate to your trusted and well-known charities and avoid making donations over the phone.
Gift Card Scams: Be wary about purchasing gift cards from spoofed emails, phone calls or texts. Also, be cautious of sellers and websites that demand payment solely through gift cards as they are most likely not legitimate.
Bogus Websites: Be cautious buying items from websites you’ve never purchased from before. They could possibly be scams. Once you click an ad link to a website and make a purchase you may never hear from them again, or worse they may use your information elsewhere. Always check to make sure the website you are purchasing from has the correct, non-duped URL and is secured by “https.”
Package Theft: This year, more than ever, Americans will be getting their holiday gifts delivered to their front door. While it is convenient, it also gives thieves the opportunity to snag packages while homeowners are away. Consider sending packages and mail to a P.O. Box or installing a camera and security system.
