December 8, 2023
Protect Yourself this Holiday Season!
Each year around Christmas, fraud ramps up. Fraudsters know this is not only a time when people are shopping for presents, but also when people are more willing to donate to charity. Both of these instances are perfect opportunities for criminals to take advantage of consumers. It is important for you to be familiar with the different scams the holiday season can attract to avoid falling victim.
Online Shopping
When shopping for presents, make sure you are only buying from trustworthy and legit businesses. Sometimes, fake websites are created for popular brands to trick you. If the website looks suspicious or the price of the items seems off, that may be a red flag. In addition, you should be aware of the information you are inputting into websites, and if they are asking for something unusual or that you aren't comfortable answering. Always make sure the website you are on is secure by checking to make sure the address begins with "https." You should also avoid shopping or banking using public, unsecure Wi-Fi. If you must make a purchase while away from home, use a VPN (virtual private network) or a mobile hot-spot.
Because you may be making a lot of purchases, it can be easy for a fraudulent charge to slip through without being noticed. It is important to be consistently monitoring your purchases, and understanding where each one is coming from on your statements.
Charity Scams
Lastly, December is a great time for fake charities to ask for money. Before donating, research thoroughly to ensure the charity is legit and the money you will be giving them will indeed be going towards the intended cause.
As always, never click on a link in an email or text message that seems suspicious and stay alert when receiving a call from a random number. Call our Contact Center immediately at 254-753-1521 if you ever believe you are a target of fraud. We hope these tips will help you have a safe holiday shopping season!