Unlike other predators, scammer and fraudsters don’t go into hibernation over the winter. Read on for a list of common winter scams as well as tips for protection. As always, the most important scam prevention tool is education: so be sure to share this list with members of your household and older family members.
Holiday Charity Scams
Sadly, scammers often pretty on people’s giving spirit around the holiday season. A fake charity may contact targets via a phone call, text message or email requesting an end-of-year donation. Sometimes, the scammer’s aim is simply to take whatever money a target is willing to donate. More sophisticated scammers may also be aiming to steal sensitive financial information, such as a bank account or credit card number.
To ensure you are donating to a legitimate charity, don’t wait for an organization to approach you. Instead, research causes you are interested in and learn which charities are operating in that field. Donating directly to a major charity, instead of responding to a solicitation, is the best way to avoid a holiday charity scam.
Utility Bill Scams
In a utility bill scam, the fraudster will impersonate a utility company worker and call up households, threatening to shut off the water, gas or electricity unless an “overdue” service payment is made immediately. If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately! Real utility companies don’t use threatening language or demand wired funds.
Keep in mind that the number one tool in a scammers toolbox is urgency. Scammers want to scare people into sending money or sharing financial details as quickly as possible. If you receive a suspicious call about utilities, hang up the phone immediately and check your most recent utility bill, where you will find a legitimate phone number to call and check on the situation.
Travel and Vacation Rental Scams
Booking a stay for the winter holidays? There are a number of online rental scams to watch out for. Scammers may copy information from a legitimate vacation rental, then replicate it on a different platform. Some fraudsters ask for cash in advance, via a non-trackable payment method such as a wire transfer. Other scams include bait-and-switch schemes and absent landlords, which you can read more about here.
Safe booking practices include using a trusted platform and a secure payment method, and only paying via the professional booking online platform. Never send money directly to a landlord, even if a seemingly good deal is on the line. Read property reviews thoroughly and check reviewers’ previous comments to ensure they are real people. Finally, ask friends or family who’ve traveled to the same location if they have any recommendations about where to stay.
Online Holiday Shopping Scams
Online shopping offers speed and convenience, but it can also put shoppers at risk for ecommerce holiday scams. Fraudsters may get in touch by email or text message, directing the shopper to visit what looks like a legitimate shopping site. On the other hand, legitimate sellers who don’t properly protect customer data can put online shoppers’ payment information at risk.
To protect yourself while shopping online, stick with sellers you know. Never click on a link sent to you by an unknown person. In addition, pay with a credit card wherever possible that offers fraud protection. Many credit cards can also now be used as virtual cards, which means your payment information is masked from potential scammers.
Gift Card Scams
Gift card fraud is now a serious concern for lawmakers. Scammers may steal a card’s activation code then re-seal the package, draining the card once it is purchased and loaded with funds. On the other hand, scammers may also call up victims and pretend to be a friend or family member having an emergency, then insist that the potential victim purchase a gift card to assist them.
When purchasing a gift card, check the packaging for signs of tampering. You can also purchase a gift card from a legitimate online vendor, instead of getting a physical card in-store. As always, treat any incoming call (including from a number that appears to be legitimate) with suspicion if the topic of the call is money. Hang up and get more information, before taking your next step.
Phishing Emails
A phishing scam is when you receive an email or text message that looks legitimate, but is intended to put malware onto your device or trick you into sharing sensitive information. Around the holidays, scammers sometimes mask their phishing emails to look like a shipping notification, holiday sale deals, or other holiday-themed materials.
The best way to protect yourself from phishing scams is to use a robust security software and update it regularly. If you suspect a phishing attempt, delete the email immediately and never click a link or download a file. As always, if the email contains urgent language or a deal that seems to good to be true—that’s a good sign it might be a scam.