6 Holiday Scams to Watch Out For

Don’t be a victim of holiday scams! Stay in the know and protect yourself by watching out for these 6 holiday scams this year.

1. Fake Charities

Unfortunately, there are dozens and dozens of false charities that pop up around the holiday season. If you’re looking to give back this holiday season, do your research ahead of time and donate only to validated organizations. The last thing you want to do is to donate to a false charity. Protect yourself and watch out for holiday scams!

2. Stolen Packages

Prevent your holiday packages from being stolen off your front porch by requiring a signature for delivery, tracking shipments closely, and even having packages delivered to an alternative address like your work office. In addition to taking extra precaution, having a security system can also help deter burglars and keep holiday packages safe from crimes of theft.

Photo Credit: Gearstd (iStock).

3. Grandparent Scams

Every year, thousands of innocent grandparents are victimized by scammers posing as a lawyer or even law enforcement asking for money to bail out a grandchild. According to a recent report released by the Federal Trade Commission, 1 in 5 people have fallen for this telephone scam with an estimated total of $328 million dollars lost in 2017 alone. Learn more about the grandparent scam and preventing this type of fraud right here.

4. Look-Alike Websites

Be aware of online fraud, especially during the busy holiday season. Scammers create fake websites, facebook ads, and even email campaigns to trick consumers into freely giving up their information. Keep your information safe and secure by learning how to easily identify copycat websites.

Photo Credit: AntonioGuillem (iStock).

5. The Careless Shopper

Burglars often case malls, restaurants, and shopping centers. To protect yourself against theft, never leave shopping bags visible inside your car or even unattended in restaurants or at stores. To enjoy a scam-free holiday season, make sure to shop in numbers and be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.

6. Door-to-Door Sales

It all starts with a simple knock at your front door. Fake magazine subscriptions are the one thing you’ll want to avoid this holiday season. According to fraud.org, the Better Business Bureau receives more than 1,000 complaints regarding fraudulent magazine sales every single year. Be aware of door-to-door scams!

The holidays mark one of the most wonderful times of the year. Let’s keep it that way by avoiding these dangerous and hefty holiday scams.