Top Holiday Scams and What You Can Do to Stay Safe

Scams of all kinds are creeping up, and the more you know, the better you can prepare and avoid falling victim to some of these top holiday scams.

The holidays are in full swing, which means criminals are taking advantage of the busy retail season to steal your identity. Now is as good a time as any to be sure you’re keeping tabs on your purchases and staying safe this holiday shopping season, but scams go above and beyond purchases. Scams of all kinds are creeping up, and the more you know, the better you can prepare and avoid falling victim to some of the top ways that thieves are looking to take what’s rightfully yours.

Charitable Phishing

Always be leery of emails posing as legitimate charities. Some emails that ask for money may have charity logos, like the Red Cross or Salvation Army, but the links within are far from real. To make sure that your charity of choice gets your donation, go straight to the source and make sure you’re giving on a secure connection on a secure website.

Fake Invoices From Delivery Companies

With gifts being purchased online, that means an influx of deliveries. Beware of fake invoices from what may seem like a legitimate delivery company. Some will ask for payment to deliver a package, but remember, shipping charges are often included in purchases as a separate line item. Delivery scams work because buyers believe they are receiving messages from FedEx or UPS, when really it’s malware in disguise. When in doubt, speak to the retailer or shipper directly.

Holiday eCards

It’s a spammer’s dream come true when those saving on postage costs want to send an electronic card, but beware! Many cards often contain malware, pop-ups and other unwanted advertising and can lead to bad news for your computer. Check that you know the recipient and check that the URL is, in fact, real.

Auction Site Scams and Third-party Retail Scams

If the price on a hot ticket item seems too good to be true, has a very short sale time, and the same picture can be found on multiple auction sites, it is most likely a scam. Also be careful shopping on major outlets like Amazon, where some third-party retailers are falsely advertising top products and delivering sub-par recreations, often from overseas where it is difficult to get a return.

Right now, it’s just as important to take extra precaution to protect your identity and avoid holiday scams. Remember, keep a watchful eye on your accounts, shop with trusted retailers, and at the end of the season, be sure to shred any and all sensitive information to keep your identity where it belongs – with you!

Contact Legal Shred today and plan ahead to schedule your end-of-the-season shredding.

Holiday Scams

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