Don’t Get Scammed this Holiday Season
Use Trusted Websites When Shopping Online
Beware of fly-by-night websites and suspicious items on online auction sites. If a deal seems too good to be true, it may be; check out any retailer before you make a purchase. Also beware of individuals selling high-end items like electronic devices. The news is full of stories of scammers selling counterfeit goods.
Don’t Fall for Phony Charities
The holidays are a great time to contribute to charities, both to honor the season and for tax reasons. Unfortunately, scammers are especially active during the holidays, ready to take advantage of others’ generosity. Check out any charity you give to using the Better Business Bureau’s web site, www.bbb.org. Also, make sure you are the one who initiates contact with the charity; don’t trust anyone who cold-calls you asking for money for any reason. The same should apply to people who come door-to-door.
Don’t Let the Mailbox Languish
If your mailbox is accessible, it may be vulnerable to theft. During the holidays, thieves are more likely to pilfer others’ mail from their mailboxes, looking for greeting cards containing cash or gift certificates. Try to retrieve your mail as soon as it’s delivered, and talk to your neighbors about keeping an eye on each other’s mailboxes. Thieves also look through neighborhoods to find large packages left on the doorstep. If you’re having packages delivered, arrange to have them sent to your workplace or left with a trusted neighbor.
Beware of Suspicious Deliveries
Some scammers leave a note on your door saying you have a package delivery waiting. If it’s not an official delivery from FedEx or UPS, then they may be setting you up for a scam. Be careful what information you share with anyone who says he or she is holding a parcel delivery for you.
Shop Carefully at the Mall
If you’re shopping during the busiest days of the holiday season, you’re at greater risk of theft from pickpockets and other scammers at your local retailer or mall. A chaotic shopping environment provides the distractions a thief needs to swipe your wallet or memorize your credit card numbers at the checkout lane.
Beware of Phony Job Offers
The holidays are a rife with suspicious offers of part-time work. Be very wary of unsolicited job offers that request a lot of personal information or cash up front. In a time of high unemployment, it’s especially unlikely that any reputable employer has to send unsolicited flyers or emails to find workers.
Check Your Statements Carefully After the Holidays
We covered this topic after last year’s holiday season, and the advice is still relevant. Read the full post here, and remember to double check your account statements looking for fraudulent charges when the holidays are over.
Photo: theamarand
