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Originally Posted On: https://au-financial-advisers.com/tips-to-avoid-holiday-scams/
Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams
The holiday season should be a period of great joy and celebration; sadly, the cases of scams and fraud also tend to increase during this time. Scammers take advantage of increased online shopping and festive spirit by implementing various fraudulent schemes. To help you through this season safely, essential tips on how to avoid the most common holiday scams are laid out below.
Be Cautious with Online Shopping
The thing is, online shopping, though convenient, also opens the door to a number of scams. Make sure to only shop from reputable websites and avoid those you do not know. Check for secure indications in the URL, such as “https://”, and read customer reviews to make certain the legitimacy of the site. Furthermore, beware of those offers that sound too good to be true. Many scammers set up fake websites that sell goods of popular products at significantly lower prices. If you come across such offers, always know the seller before buying anything so that you won’t get yourself victimized by scams.
Protect Your Passwords and Personal Information
Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts, using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. You may want to consider using a password manager to securely keep your credentials and to generate complex passwords. However, be very cautious regarding what personal information you decide to share on the Internet. Legitimate merchants would never ask you to email them your Social Security number or to enter that number into a website. Any requests for that type of sensitive information should be policed carefully to avoid identity theft.
Verify Requests for Donations
The holiday season is a time of giving, and perhaps this equates to charity donations. Scammers often abuse this kind charity by posing as charities. Always research an organization prior to making a donation. These are mostly organizations that are not genuine. So, through the official website, one can know about the legitimacy of a charity. The website will provide verified contact information. Also, don’t click on links from unsolicited emails or messages since it may open up a phishing site in order to steal information about yourself.
Watch Out for Package Delivery Scams
Scams related to package delivery also tend to rise as more people do their shopping online. Scammers mail emails or texts purporting to be from delivery services, offering a link to track your package. These are links to phishing sites or malware downloads. So, it is better not to click on any link in unsolicited messages to avoid falling into their trap. Go straight to the official website of the delivery service for tracking your parcels. Always check the sender’s e-mail address and be suspicious of notifications regarding unexpected deliveries.
Use Secure Means of Payment
When purchasing something online, pay by a secure method. Credit cards usually offer better fraud protection than debit cards, which can make it easier to get your money back if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account. Where possible, use a payment service such as PayPal that offers additional security. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency in online purchases. Many of those forms of payment ultimately do not offer any buyer protection. If a seller insists on such a payment method, that’s a major red flag that you may be dealing with a scammer.
Watch Out For Unsolicited Offers
You might receive unsolicited emails or messages promising free gifts, discounts, and other exclusive deals during the holiday. Messages typically include phishing links or malware that compromise your device in one way or the other. Always be suspicious of offers out of the blue. If this offer is made by a well-known brand, then go to the company’s official website to verify its authenticity. Also, do not click on links or download attachments from sources you do not know, as these will take you to a security breach.
Watch out for Social Media Scams
Social media is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for scammers with fake offers and deals. Be cautious of these pages that impersonate well-known businesses, especially ones offering special limited-time promotions. In any case, always check if an account is authentic before engaging with it. Look out for social media profiles with a verified badge and reviews from other users. If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is a scam. Report any suspicious account to the platform in order to better protect others from fraudsters.
Review Your Financial Statements Regularly
Give yourself some time when the holiday season is over to go through your financial statements and transactions. Look for unauthorized charges or any suspicious activity. The quicker fraud is found, the less you’ll lose, and the faster you may act upon it. Also, consider setting up alerts on your bank and credit card accounts to notify someone if an unusual transaction comes through. This might be an easy, proactive way to help someone keep track of finances and avoid fraud.
Avoid Unprotected Wi-Fi
Although this is convenient, one of the big security risks with public Wi-Fi networks is that they are opportunistic for people to intercept data and steal your identity. Try to avoid looking at sensitive information or making purchases while on unprotected Wi-Fi. Use a VPN if you do have to use public Wi-Fi. This encrypts your internet connection so that nobody can eavesdrop on it. When shopping or browsing online, an extra layer of security will be helpful in protecting personal information.
Book Directly with Travel Providers
If you plan to travel during the holidays, ensure that you are booking directly with airlines or hotels, or through some recognized travel agencies. Scammers will usually make their sham websites or ads offering prices in holiday travel that lead to very big financial losses. Research the provider’s reputation and read customer reviews before booking. Ensure you use the official website for your travel provider and avoid falling victim to fraudulent offers.
The holiday period should be a time of joy and happiness, not a headache over falling victim to scams and fraud. From being cautious while online shopping, securing your passwords, to verifying any requests for donations, these tips surely will help you protect yourself and make the holiday season a safe one.
