Tips for Holiday Shopping to Protect Yourself Against Fraud

Watch out for these holiday attacks:

GIFT CARD PEEK SCAM

Scammers will take gift cards off the rack, scratch off the silver coating that protects the PIN code, record the code, then carefully apply a new coating in a way that leaves buyers none the wiser.

The perpetrator waits a day or two for the card to be purchased and activated, and the card number and PIN are ready for the scammer to use. The disappointed gift card recipient is left with a dud.

Solution: Carefully examine any gift cards you purchase. Better yet, send e-gift cards directly to recipients from a reputable site.

MAIL THEFT SCAM

Sending cash through the mail is still popular. But handwritten addresses and colorful envelopes make it easy for thieves to distinguish personal cards from the sea of junk mail and bills. They’ll steam a card open to look for cash, reseal the envelope and put it back in your mailbox.

Mail theft also happens on a larger scale. There are universal keys that can open any blue post office mailbox as well as keys that unlock entire racks of mailboxes at apartment and condo complexes.

There’s been a rash of these thefts recently because the keys are easy to obtain. Once thieves gain access to the boxes, they not only steal cash, but they can also find credit cards and valuable tidbits of information perfect for identity theft.

Solution: Don’t send cash. Order a cool gift online or send an e-gift card.

PACKAGE THEFT

Bold porch pirates continue to pilfer holiday packages despite the increase in video doorbells. Even when a retailer has sent photo evidence your gift was delivered, it could still go missing before the intended recipient retrieves it.

Solution: Consider a package drop box secured with a key you control. You can also keep an eye on your video doorbell notifications for deliveries and have a neighbor swing by if you’re not home.

'GRANDCHILD IN TROUBLE' SCAM

Scammers rely on manipulative social engineering to trick seniors into sending money. They’ll call and pretend to be a grandchild who’s taking a holiday vacation in Mexico and has been arrested. They want you to post bail and not involve their parents.

Solution: Call the child’s parents to check in. Chances are, the kid in question is safe at home.

BUSINESS EMAIL COMPROMISE (BEC)

Impersonating a company’s executives via email and text message has become quite a boon for fraudsters. They rely on urgency and authority to convince you to pay an invoice for the employee holiday party or submit a wire transfer without making sure the ask is legitimate.

Solution: Check in with your “colleague” using a separate legitimate channel (phone) from the email you received.

CHARITABLE GIVING SCAMS

Fraudsters know people are more likely to give to those in need during the holidays. They will use phishing emails and phone-based scams to fleece you.

Solution: Go straight to an organization’s website to make a donation. Don’t use the link in an email.

How to Protect Yourself?

Practice good cybersecurity hygiene. 

• Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. 
•  Be especially wary if a company asks you to update your password or account information. Look up the company’s phone number on your own and call the company.

Know who you’re buying from.

• Check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure. A site you’re buying should have https in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t enter your information on that site.  
• If you’re purchasing from a company for the first time, do your research and check reviews.

Be careful how you pay.

• Never wire money directly to a seller. 
• Avoid paying for items with pre-paid gift cards. In these scams, a seller will ask you to send them a gift card number and PIN. Instead of using that gift card for your payment, the scammer will steal the funds, and you’ll never receive your item. 
• Use a credit card when shopping online and check your statement regularly. If you see a suspicious transaction, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.

Monitor the shipping process.

• Always get tracking numbers for items you buy online, so you can make sure they have been shipped and can follow the delivery process.