Don’t click on emails that offer you half-price deals. And that goes for ads that pop-up on your screen, as well. Don’t fall for them. If a deal seems too good to be true, it most probably is. Extremely low discounts or free gifts, as incentives to buy, are usually fake offers.
Data breaches and credit card skimming
Another thing to watch for while shopping is credit card skimmers. They steal your personal information when you swipe a credit or debit card at an ATM, gas pump, or payment kiosk. They can also get your data by attacking a site where your credit card information is stored.
When a company website is attacked and its customer’s private information may have been breached they will usually send out emails alerting you to the situation. Most banks have encountered this.
But in some cases, you may not realize that the fraudster has your private data until they start charging on your card.
Ways to protect yourself from holiday scams
- Always buy directly from a secure and reputable website or from Amazon.
- Don’t give out credit or debit card information unless you have initiated the purchase or transaction.
- Don’t click on emails, posts, or pop-up ads that look too good to be true.
- Verify the seller before making a purchase. Even if you go through an online marketplace or auction website, check feedback, and ratings.
- Track your order through your original confirmation email. Keep the buyer-seller link established by your order until your purchase is safely delivered.
- Track your credit card purchases and check your bank statements often to make sure no skimming is hitting your accounts.
Report scammers
- Contact your bank, credit card, or financial institution immediately when you discover evidence that you have been scammed.
- Contact local law enforcement.
- It is also worthwhile to file a complaint if the scam is online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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