| Criminals don’t take a holiday break. During the season of giving, they’re especially active with online shopping, package delivery, and other seasonal scams. |
| An AARP survey found that nearly nine in ten U.S. adults have faced some form of fraud, yet many of us are still unaware of the tactics criminals use—especially in online shopping. With almost a quarter of us planning to shop online even more this year, here’s what to know to spot scams. |
| Online Shopping Scams•Criminals create professional-looking websites and social media ads promoting popular items at steep discounts. When you place an order, what you receive is not what was advertised, or you get nothing at all.•Be cautious of prices that seem unusually low, and avoid clicking on ads in emails, texts, or social media, as these can lead to fake sites.•The safest way to shop online is to go directly to a trusted retailer’s official website or app. And whenever possible, use a credit card, which offers stronger consumer protections than other payment methods. |
| Package Scams•Scammers continue to bombard us with fake texts about package deliveries, often claiming to be from the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx.•These messages say there’s a problem with your delivery—such as a wrong address, insufficient postage, or nobody being home to receive it—and urge you to click a link to resolve the issue. In many cases, the links and websites closely mimic the legitimate businesses.•That’s why it’s best to avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, even if the sender appears familiar. Instead, go directly to the shipping company’s official website or app, or contact them using a verified phone number found on their site. |
| Gift Card Scams•A whopping one-third of consumers report either giving or receiving a gift card that has no value. Some criminals tamper with cards on store racks, while others use electronic tools to detect newly activated cards online and drain the funds.•When possible, consider purchasing gift cards directly from the retailer’s website, hold onto the receipt, and register the card if that option is available. Using gift cards soon after purchasing them can also improve odds that you’ll get to spend the balance before a criminal can. |
reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network