Five Scams to Watch Out for this Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for cheer and celebration, but it's also a prime time for fraudsters to strike. As you start your holiday shopping and festivities, it's important to know how to protect your accounts and personal information.

Here are a few common holiday scams to watch out for and valuable tips to help you stay safe this holiday season.

Phishing emails
Phishing scams tend to increase during the holidays. Phishing is a type of email deception used to obtain sensitive personal information. These scams might appear as requests to confirm a fake transaction, requests to confirm a purchase or delivery and even fake personalized letters from Santa – all of which try to deceive you into taking action by providing some sort of personal or banking information. Be careful about sharing personal information online or with anyone who hasn't been verified.

To protect yourself from phishing scams:

  1. Be skeptical - Be wary of unexpected messages asking for personal or financial details. Legitimate organizations won't request sensitive data via email.
  2. Avoid suspicious links - Before clicking, hover over links to see where they lead. If you're unsure, go directly to the official website or contact the organization directly using contact information from their website.
  3. Protect your personal information - Be cautious with emails asking for personal details like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, account numbers, or online banking login credentials. Never provide sensitive data in response to an email request.
Fake charities
Many fraudsters capitalize on the holiday spirit by asking for donations to fake charities. Make sure any charity you want to donate to is authentic by verifying it on websites such as CharityNavigator.org or Give.org. You can also reach out to charities directly instead of following links from emails.

Package theft
With many packages being delivered during the holiday season, package theft is a real concern. To prevent any issues, arrange for deliveries that require a signature or track your package closely so you can pick it up immediately upon its arrival to your home.

When making orders through online retailers, such as Amazon, consider using an Amazon Locker to ensure your package is safely delivered and locked away. You can also request for packages to be held at your local post office for pickup.

Deceptive websites
Be cautious of spoof websites offering goods at extremely low prices. When you place an order, you might not hear from the retailer again or your information could be used to hack your bank accounts. Stay safe by shopping only on reputable websites. Make sure the URL is secure by looking for a locked padlock symbol in the address bar.

Counterfeit gift cards
During this time of year, scammers often try to make profit by selling expired or empty gift cards. To avoid buying a fake one, always inspect a gift card before purchase. Look for signs of tampering, such as peeling stickers, scratched-off security codes, or misaligned printing. If you notice these, the card has probably been used or the scammer intends to use it soon.

By following these preventative measures and staying vigilant, you can enjoy a safe and worry-free holiday season. Remember, your safety begins with awareness and informed decision making.

At Pacific Service CU, we will never ask for your personal information through email or text message. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please contact a member service representative at (888) 858-6878. For additional information please visit https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Happy holidays and stay safe!