During the holiday season, individuals are often caught up in the hustle and bustle, which can lead to a decrease in critical thinking and heightened vulnerability to scams. According to Amy Nofziger, a senior director at the AARP Fraud Watch Network, the chaotic nature of the holidays presents numerous opportunities for scammers to exploit unsuspecting consumers. A recent AARP survey revealed that nearly 90% of American adults have been targeted or have fallen victim to some form of scam during the holiday season in the past year, with common schemes such as fake shipping notifications and misleading charity requests topping the list.
Nofziger highlights four prevalent scams that consumers should be aware of this time of year:
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Fake Retail Ads on Social Media: Scammers frequently create temporary online stores on social media platforms, selling counterfeit apparel or jewelry using stolen logos. Often, these stores cease operations shortly after customers place orders. To protect themselves, shoppers are encouraged to research unfamiliar vendors, including checking for complaints or scams associated with them, and to use credit cards for online purchases to benefit from consumer protections.
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Compromised Gift Cards: Scammers target gift card displays in stores, recording the card numbers and PINs before they are purchased. Once money is added to these cards, the scammers can quickly drain the funds. Nofziger advises consumers to select gift cards that are located towards the front of the store, where they might be watched more closely, and to consider purchasing electronic gift cards instead of physical ones to reduce the risk of tampering.
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Fake Delivery Texts: With an increase in package deliveries during the holidays, scammers often send misleading notifications claiming there are issues with the delivery. These messages may prompt recipients to provide personal information. Nofziger recommends verifying such messages by contacting the shipping company’s customer service directly rather than responding to the text.
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Unrealistic Travel Deals: The quest for affordable travel options can lead individuals to fall prey to enticing deals that actually serve as traps. Consumers may encounter car rental scams where they are pressured to prepay with gift cards, after which they find no vehicle upon arrival at their destination. Sticking to reputable vendors and exercising caution with unfamiliar travel websites is advisable.
Nofziger stresses the importance of reporting any scams to local law enforcement and organizations like the AARP Fraud Watch Network as soon as possible. With an awareness of these tactics, consumers can better safeguard themselves against potential fraud this holiday season.
