*First National Community Bank’s blog does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Recipients should consult their professional advisors for advice.
As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to spending time with family, giving back, and finding the perfect gifts for loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers are more active, preying on the excitement and generosity of the season. At First National Community Bank, we want to help you stay informed and protect your hard-earned money from fraud.
Scammers know that during the holidays, we tend to be more focused on shopping, travel plans, and celebrations, making it easier for them to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The good news is that by staying vigilant and following a few key safety tips, you can protect yourself from common scams that tend to surface this time of year. We’ve outlined the top 8 most common holiday scams to watch out for and how to protect yourself from these scams:
- Phishing Scams & Malware Emails: Phishing scams are one of the most common types of fraud during the holidays. Scammers may send fake emails or text messages pretending to be from retailers, delivery companies, or even your bank. These messages may ask you to click on a link to verify account information or confirm a purchase. Often, the link leads to a counterfeit website and/or malware designed to steal your personal and financial information, infect your device with a virus or even hold your device hostage unless you pay a price.
How to protect yourself:
Always verify the sender before clicking on links in unsolicited emails or texts. If you're unsure, contact the company directly using the phone number or website on their official materials.
- Online Shopping Scams/Look Alike Websites: With more people shopping online for holiday gifts, scammers are quick to create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. These fraudulent sites may offer attractive deals, but they are designed to steal your payment information or send you counterfeit or non-existent products.
How to protect yourself:
Stick to reputable websites and verify the URL before making a purchase. Look for “https” in the web address and a secure payment system. If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Charity Scams: The holiday season is a time for giving, but unfortunately, it’s also when scammers take advantage of your generosity. They may impersonate charities or create fake campaigns to steal donations. These scams often target people who want to help those in need, especially around the holidays.
How to protect yourself:
Do your research before donating. Look for charities that are registered with the IRS or a reputable third-party rating organization like Charity Navigator. If you're approached by phone or email, don't give out personal information until you've verified the legitimacy of the organization.
- Gift Card Scams: Scammers often trick people into purchasing gift cards as a form of payment. This could come in the form of a fake call from a supposed family member in distress, a “prize” notification, or a fake retailer asking for gift cards to resolve an issue with a purchase.
How to protect yourself:
Never give gift card information to anyone you don’t know or trust, especially if they ask for it over the phone or email. Real businesses or government agencies will never ask you to pay with gift cards.
- Travel Scams: Many people book travel plans during the holiday season, and scammers are well aware of this. They may offer fake vacation packages or discounted rates, only to steal your payment information or book nonexistent travel arrangements.
How to protect yourself:
Always book travel with well-known companies, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true. Use trusted travel websites or contact providers directly to confirm any offers.
- Social Media Scams: Ads on social media pages can direct you to a fraudulent website and infect your device with malware. Instead, visit the trusted retailer's website. Fake gift exchanges are also prevalent on social media. A simple “You're invited via social media to join a gift exchange” may seem harmless and fun but it likely a hoax .For example, a scammer may tell you that if you buy one $10 gift for a stranger, you will receive as many as 36 gifts back! This fraudulent scam follows the same premise as a pyramid scheme because it relies on constantly recruiting new participants. In the US, pyramid schemes are illegal, so it's best to just respectfully decline any invitations to participate.
How to protect yourself:
Visit the trusted retailer's website. Resist the temptation of clicking on these ads and participating in fake gift exchanges. Importantly, know that if the offer in an ad looks too good to be true, it probably is!
- Package Delivery Scams: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warns of delivery notification scam calls and texts. These text messages and calls look like they’re from a legitimate mail or package courier, such as the US Postal Service, and include a fake tracking link. The link will lead you to a website requesting personal information, or it will install malware on your phone or computer. The malware will then start stealing your information.
How to protect yourself:
Do not click in any links and be aware of your online orders and shipments and track them from the sites in which the orders originated.
- Emergency Scam: No one wants to hear a family member or friend is dealing with an emergency, like a serious accident or incarceration. While we quickly want to help, scammers take advantage of this. They target people by pretending to be a family member or friend whose circumstance requires money to be resolved.
How to protect yourself:
Before sending any money, verify their story with other family and friends, but call directly. You can also ask questions that would be hard for an impostor to answer correctly.
Important Tips to Help Protect Yourself from Scams
- Monitor your accounts regularly: Check your bank statements and credit card transactions often, especially after making purchases. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it immediately.
- Use strong passwords: When shopping online or logging into your bank account, make sure you’re using a secure password. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Many banks, including First National Community Bank, offer two-factor authentication for added security. This extra layer of protection can help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.
- Be cautious with personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive details over the phone or online, especially with unsolicited requests. Scammers often pose as legitimate companies to gain access to your personal information.
- Update your software and devices: Keep your computer, smartphone, and antivirus software up to date to protect against malware and security vulnerabilities.
What to Do if You Think You’re a Victim of Fraud
If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to a financial scam, it’s important to act quickly:
- Contact your bank immediately: If you believe that your bank account or credit card information has been compromised, contact your bank right away. We can help you freeze accounts, dispute unauthorized charges, and provide guidance on next steps.
- Report the fraud: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov You should also notify local authorities if necessary.
- Change your passwords: If your personal information has been exposed, change passwords for any affected accounts and consider setting up credit monitoring to keep an eye on potential identity theft.
- Keep documentation: Keep a record of all communications related to the scam, including emails, receipts, or notes about phone calls. This information can help investigators track down the perpetrator.
While holiday scams are common, staying informed and taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk. At First National Community Bank, we are committed to helping you protect your financial well-being and enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help. We wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful holiday season!
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