The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and gift-giving. However, it’s also a prime time for scammers looking to take advantage of the increase in online shopping. Older adults, in particular, are often targeted by these scams. Here are essential tips to protect yourself and your information while shopping online this holiday season, along with additional timely scams to be aware of.
What to Look Out For
Recognizing Fake Websites
Scammers create fake websites that mimic reputable online stores to lure you in with deals that seem too good to be true. These websites often have slightly different URLs (e.g., amazzon.com vs. amazon.com). They aim to steal your credit card information when you enter it. Always check for a secure connection (look for “https://” at the beginning of the URL) and verify the website’s authenticity by looking for misspellings or low-quality logos. For more tips, visit Consumer Reports.
Avoid Suspicious Emails or Social Media Ads
Scammers send emails that look like “exclusive holiday offers” or “limited-time sales” to pressure you into clicking a link. If an email comes from an unknown sender or seems too good to be true, do not click the link. Instead, visit the retailer’s official website by typing the URL directly into your browser. Similarly, be cautious of social media ads from new accounts or those with little engagement. Learn more about email scams from AARP.
Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals
Websites that offer unbelievable discounts (like 70-95% off expensive products) are often scams designed to steal your information. Even if they are selling products, these might be counterfeit, older versions, or made very cheaply. Websites like Temu and Wish are known for misleading customers with extremely low prices. Always read reviews from multiple sources and carefully review the item description. For insights on avoiding counterfeit products, check FTC’s guide.
Top 3 Scams to Be Aware of
- Charity Scams
During the holiday season, many people feel generous and want to donate to charities. Scammers take advantage of this by creating fake charities or impersonating real ones. Before donating, verify the charity through websites like Charity Navigator. - Package Delivery Scams
With the increase in online shopping, package delivery scams have become more common. Scammers send fake notifications about package deliveries to trick you into providing personal information. Always track your packages through the retailer’s official website or your delivery service’s official tracking system. For more information, visit FedEx’s fraud awareness page. - Tech Support Scams
Older adults are often targeted by tech support scams where scammers claim there’s an issue with your computer and offer to fix it for a fee. They may ask for remote access to your computer and steal personal information. If you encounter such a message, do not engage and report it to Microsoft’s scam page.
You may be interested in our blog, “Say Yes” Scam: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe and this blog, 5 Latest Scams You Need to Know About Now
Tips to Protect Yourself
- Check for a Secure Connection: Look for the “lock” symbol next to the website’s URL and ensure it starts with “https://”.
- Double-check the URL: Make sure you are visiting the correct website. Beware of scammers using similar URLs.
- Use a Credit Card Online: It’s easier to get a charge reversed on a credit card rather than a debit card.
- Visit the Retailer’s Website Directly: Verify the credibility of a deal by visiting the website directly rather than clicking a link in an email or ad.
- Be Wary of Heavy Discounts: Websites like Wish and Temu boast extremely heavy discounts, but you may not receive the item as you expect. Read reviews and item descriptions carefully.
Want more? Read our blog How to Protect Yourself from Scams
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