The holiday season is starting to ramp up, bringing a month of gatherings, gift-giving, parades, decorations, and ugly sweaters. During this busy time of year, it’s easy for us to let down our guard, which is exactly what scammers hope for. When we’re distracted, we’re more likely to click on phony links and unwittingly share information they can use to steal our identity, open credit cards in our names, and access our bank accounts.
Flagstar’s Fraud Prevention Senior Manager Michael Barnes recommends being cautious. “Before you click a link, hit Enter to purchase that item, pick up an unsolicited phone call, or respond to a text from ‘your bank,’ be careful,” he said. “Remember, if the request creates a sense of urgency, asks for your information, or seems too good to be true, stop and ask yourself, ‘Does this feel right?’ before acting.”
We scoured government and security websites, message boards, and delivery service tips to find this year’s holiday scams. Here are our tips for avoiding shopping scams, porch pirates, and fake “emergency” messages.
Do your research first.
While shopping online, you stumble upon the perfect gift at a deeply discounted price. Then you take a social media break and see an ad for that impossible-to-find item that your son really, really needs. Is it the real thing or too good to be true? Protect yourself with these steps:
- For a company you know: Check to see that you’re on the company’s official website. Scammers build lookalike sites with URLs that are just a letter or two off from the legitimate business then lure you in with low prices, take your money, and disappear.
- For a company you don’t recognize: Do a search with the name and “legitimate” or “scam” to see what comes up. Then, visit the Better Business Bureau website to view current ratings and complaints.
- Look for hidden fees. Discounted prices can be offset by sky-high shipping costs or hidden fees. Check the total amount before completing the transaction.
- Keep good records. Download a PDF or take a screenshot of your order number, the date, and your receipt. If the item doesn’t arrive, you’ll have what you need to inform the company or dispute the charge.
- Report scammers. If the seller disappears or refuses to send what you ordered, report them to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Stop porch pirates from taking your packages.
Whether you order a shiny new tablet or a large bag of hamster food, a porch pirate might get to it before you do. Last year, an estimated 58 million delivered packages were stolen from porches, apartment complexes, and any place that has easy access.
Here’s how to make sure everything you order gets to you:
- Track it. When your order has shipped, use the tracking number to find out when it will arrive. Then, set up alerts to make sure someone is home when the package arrives.
- Give the deliverer special instructions. Sign up for Informed Delivery by USPS, UPS My Choice®, and FedEx Delivery Manager®. These services allow you to schedule your delivery at a different time or location, request a signature for delivery, or let someone else pick up your package. Some retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, go a step further, offering delivery inside your home, garage, and even your refrigerator.
- Use a package lockbox or bag. Thieves drive down residential streets looking for packages to grab. A storage bench or other container will conceal your deliveries, and you can add a lock for additional security. However, this option is not 100% effective since you’ll need to rely on busy drivers to put your packages inside the box.
- Pick up the package instead. Delivery services can hold packages for you, and larger cities have Amazon Lockers to hold your Amazon orders. When your package arrives, you’ll receive an email with your locker number and one-time combination to pick it up.
Avoid phony emails and text messages
Scammers know you’re distracted this time of year, so you’re more likely to click on links or calling phony phone numbers without thinking. Then, you’ll be asked to confirm your personal information, credit card number, or password. Clicking the link could also install spyware on your device that collects your user ID, password, and account information the next time you sign in.
- Be skeptical of any “urgent” email or text stating that there’s a problem with your order, delivery, travel plans, or payment app transaction.
- If you’re not sure whether a message is legitimate, go to the company’s official website to find more information or the number for customer service.
