Are you waiting for your Christmas presents to arrive in the mail? Be wary of emails or texts about your orders. Here’s why, in 60 seconds.
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6 holiday scams you need to know about
Whoa, we blinked and it’s mid-November! The days are shorter, your to-do list is longer, and scammers are ready to catch you off guard. Luckily, you’ve got me on your side with the top holiday scams.
📲 ‘Hi, I’m calling from Amazon’
Criminals and AI voice bots are calling, emailing and texting, claiming to be Amazon employees. Oh, no, your account is on hold! Or there’s been suspicious activity you need to deal with now. They’ll ask you for your payment info — that’s a glaring red flag.
Stay safe: Only put payment details for Amazon directly into the website or the official app. If you get one of those calls, hang up and Google the phone number. I bet you’ll see reports from others who got the same call.
💻 An offer you can’t refuse
There’s an email in your inbox from Macy’s, and whoa! Everything is 50% to 70% off! Click the link, head to the site and all looks normal. Once you check out, though, you’re in big trouble.
Scammers use real brand assets (like logos, fonts and photos) to make you think Macy’s or another big retailer is having a major holiday sale. Then, they direct you to a site that looks like the real thing … but it’s not.
Stay safe: Always, always triple-check the URL. If you’re not sure of a retailer’s website, search in your browser, but don’t click any sponsored results. Type in the address yourself if you know it.
📦 Your package can’t be delivered
You receive a text or email saying your order is stuck at a shipping center. With all the online shopping we do, you probably don’t remember every purchase. Click on the link they sent you and you’re well on your way to a phishing scam.
Stay safe: FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service will never text you from an unknown number. If you’re worried about a delivery, call the shipping company directly. In emails, watch out for any subtle misspellings in the email address or the sender’s name. Block and report anything fishy.
🤑 The fake seasonal job
Scary sign that someone hacked your Amazon account
‘Tis the season [for scammers] to be jolly. With all the excitement and frustration this time of year, crooks are ramping up their efforts. Tap or click here for holiday scams making the rounds.
It’s not always easy to spot a scam, and you can overlook the signs as a mistake. For example, have you ever received a package that wasn’t intended for you? How about an empty box?
Find the best holiday light displays near you with this map
The end of the year is fast approaching, and along with it comes nonstop holiday prep. Among the more stressful tasks is gift shopping.
Do you need help finding gifts for those hard-to-shop-for people? Tap or click here for gift ideas for the person who doesn’t want or need anything.
Finishing your holiday shopping? Don't fall for this fake seller scam
In 2021, Americans handed more than $337 million over to scammers while shopping online. The holidays are some of the most dangerous weeks to be buying. What should you be on the lookout for this year? Tap or click here for three of the most viral holiday scams circulating.
Don't fall for this Christmas delivery scam!
Scammers are always on the prowl for their next victim, but there are certain times in the year when they increase activity. Black Friday and Thanksgiving are well behind us, but now criminals are looking toward Christmas.
Don't fall for this new Facebook giveaway scam
Thieves are always out in full force during the holidays looking to rip you off. They play on your emotions and even devise elaborate schemes to trick you into handing over money or personal information. Tap or click here for holiday scams to know about so you don’t get fooled.
5 holiday scams to know about so you don't get fooled
Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If not, you better get to it. We rounded up some of the web’s most unique and versatile goodies. Tap or click here for a list of great Christmas gift ideas.
The holidays are a time of cheer and togetherness. A time to gather your friends and family to exchange gifts and laughs. And a time for scammers to pounce.
That's not the FBI on the phone, but here's how scammers will scare you
There are plenty of scams in the wild that you need to know about. This time of year, holiday scammers are out in full force. Tap or click here for three of the most prominent holiday scams and ways to avoid them.
Those aren’t the only devious schemes to worry about. There’s a new ruse making the rounds where thieves pretend to be calling from the FBI. The thought of getting a call from an FBI agent is frightening enough, but this one adds scare tactics to rip you off.
Top 3 holiday scams you and your loved ones need to know about
‘Tis the season of lights, and you can already see the decorations going up everywhere. If you plan to buy decor online, be careful! Scammers are hitting the market with false ads and lousy merchandise. Tap or click here for holiday decoration scams to watch out for.
If you get an email with this phone number, don't call! It's a money-stealing scam
Thieves are out in full force during the holidays looking to rip off people shopping for gifts. Some have even gone so far as to devise elaborate schemes to trick you out of personal information and steal your money. Tap or click here for details on holiday scams making the rounds and how to outsmart them.
Shopping scams are ramping up - Here's how to protect your wallet
It is difficult to grasp that the year is already so far along. Plans are being made for winter getaways and where Christmas will be spent. But just as you are making holiday and shopping plans, so too are scammers.
With the end-of-year shopping spree reaching billions of dollars, criminals will look for their piece of the financial pie. Every year a variety of online scams are deployed to part you with your money and personal information. Tap or click here to see last year’s top holiday scams to watch for.