Be wary of fake alerts, such as having to update a delivery address or a package getting lost. (Courtesy Canva)
While the holidays may be a great time for giving back and spending time with family, the risk of falling for an online scam starts to increase during the end of the year.
According to a survey from credit card company Mastercard, nearly 50% of consumers said they would ignore red flags when shopping if it meant they would receive a deep discount on the item.
“Scammers will do anything they can to make a buck, steal your information,” Sergeant Billy Ray with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Media Communications Office told CBS Austin. “Whatever website, if you’re typing your passwords, bank information, those scammers will have access to it directly and will take that information and use it.”
Here are some holiday scams you might see pop up this month, and tips on how to recognize one in the wild.
Common holiday scams
Fake ads
While fake ads can be found year-round, they tend to run rampant during the holiday season as people are looking for the perfect gifts at a steep discount. Scammers have been known to make copies of popular websites to trick consumers into entering their credit card details. It’s always best to go straight to the source of a website and not click on it from a third party website.
Bogus debts
Sure, you might have spent a little bit more than you intended on gifts this year, but if you receive threatening communication demanding payment on debt you didn’t know you had, this might be the sign of a scam. If for some reason the debt does seem real, check to see if you might have had your identity stolen.
Holiday trips
While we all may want a perfect holiday trip to a snowy cabin, be wary of a vacation deal that may have some red flags attached to it. If you’re going to book a rental home, make sure you do it through a trusted platform, such as AirBNB or Vrbo, and to be suspicious of the homeowner asking for photos of personal documents to book the trip.
AI voice calls
AI can do many things: clean up your email copy, help you make a grocery list for your meals, and even impersonate a loved one’s voice. This last one is something to be super wary about, especially around the holidays. You might get a call from your grandma saying she found a great deal on a gift and that she just needs a credit card number to purchase it. If it seems out of character, tread carefully: Hang up and call the person back to verify the situation.
Things to remember to avoid getting scammed:
- Be careful about scanning QR codes that promise deals that seem too good to be true
- Update your device with the latest security software before online shopping
- Be wary of fake alerts, such as having to update a delivery address or a package getting lost. When in doubt, always go through official channels
- Make sure to research the charities you plan on donating to
- Sign up for two-step verification when accessing your online banking accounts
The bottom line: don’t panic, take a deep breath, and remember that no deal is worth getting your information stolen.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam, you can file a complaint with the office of the Texas Attorney General
