Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Cheer This Holiday Season
The holidays bring music, lights, magic, and cheer. Unfortunately, scammers don’t take a break during the season. Even though we should always be on the lookout for fraud, certain types become more frequent at this time of year. Fraudulent online shopping sites and fake charities are among scammers’ top methods.
Fake websites sometimes mimic legitimate retailers’ online stores to acquire your money, personal information, or both. Another kind of e-fraud occurs when shoppers are enticed to order products through a social media advertisement, but the effects never arrive. Distinguishing genuine sites from counterfeit ones is challenging, but a few simple steps can help protect you. Taking just a few moments to verify to check a few things can save you the stress and heartache that come along with being defrauded.
Bogus charities are another technique con artists use to exploit the goodwill of unsuspecting people. The problems from these types of scams are more than just money loss to the victims. They cause society to lose trust in all organizations. Legitimate charities suffer loss because it becomes harder to get funding when fewer individuals donate due to skepticism. People can take a few steps to check up on the validity of a charity before donating.
Ways to Avoid Scamming Pitfalls
- Verify the Website – Before giving any money or information for any online transaction, check the web address to ensure it is authentic. Check that the connection is secure. Hover over links to ensure they match the official domain before clicking.
- Verify the Charity or Company – Know who you are doing business with is legitimate. Check trusted consumer reports, BBB, or a charity watchdog organization for information on the entity. Search for the organization’s name along with the word ‘scam’ to see if any warnings have been issued.
- Be cautious about unsolicited communications – If you receive a mailer, text message, email, or phone call you are not expecting, be sure you know who you are dealing with before giving out any information or money. Legitimate organizations will not call you if your name and number are on the Do Not Call Registry.
- Look for Contact Information – Official companies, especially charities, want to project transparency. They know that not doing so hurts their reputation and, in turn, their bottom line. Don’t be afraid to call those contacts for a bit of Q&A. A little time investigating can go a long way in helping to distinguish fact from fiction.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication – This is an extra tier in the security process that will help protect your information. It is a small step to take to keep your data secure.
- Use Password Smarts – You have heard that strong passwords are essential. And each one should be unique to each account you have. It can be challenging to remember all of those. A password manager can help you create strong passwords and keep them private for every profile you own.
- Use Antivirus Programs – Using security programs on your digital devices can help you guard your privacy. It is important to keep those updated to defend against hackers.
- Listen to Your Gut – Don’t proceed with the transaction if you get a funny feeling that makes you pause. It is better to miss a deal than fall for something unreal.
The Importance of Reporting Fraud
Even the most intelligent person in the world is susceptible to fraud. Like it or not, anyone can be caught off guard. That is why continually educating ourselves and staying vigilant against deception is essential. If you suspect fraud, report it. If you have become a victim of fraud, report it. If you have a family member or friend who has become a fraud target, help them report it.
Telling these stories will aid the authorities in fighting these criminals. It also helps others to educate themselves and avoid becoming victims as well. Be part of the solution, not another statistic. It is awful to be a victim. Informing others about these stories means the suffering was not in vain.
Where to Report
There are multiple ways to make a statement, from the local authorities to the federal powers. Every day, men and women are battling for honesty and the greater good. Below are some ways to contact these agencies to get the word out.
- Federal Trade Commission
- Floridians can report a scam via the No Scam App, by visiting Fraud Free Florida, or by making a statement to the Florida Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline at 866-9NO-SCAM.
- Check up on a charity (or report one) through the following websites: Guide Star, Charity Watchdog, or Charity Navigator.
- Verify if a business is legit by going to the Better Business Bureau.
Final Note
We here at Champions First Credit Union want to help our membership in any way we can. If you have become a victim of fraud, reach out to us as soon as possible so we can help protect your accounts and guide you through the next steps. You can start by visiting our contact page.
We wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season! Stay vigilant, and let’s work together to make this season merry and bright for all.