November 14, 2024
Theft has always been a concern during the holiday season (think Home Alone without the hijinks). But a physical break in isn’t the only thing that we need to watch out for in 2024. As our lives become increasingly digital, so do the scams – and scammers are getting smarter and savvier. Our Ring doorbells aren’t going to come in handy when scammers try to get us through social media and text messages.
Credit unions are all about people helping people – and bettering members’ financial lives – so during the holiday season, credit unions should make their members aware of various scams that become all-too-common during this busy time of year.
1. Fake Online Stores: Price seem too good to be true? Never heard of the store before, though? Scammers will create fake online stores and sell hot items at an extremely affordable, low price. Before making a purchase, do a quick Google search of the store. Read the reviews. Check their social presence and look for engagement, reviews, and longevity of the page. If you’re still not sure but think something may be off about the product images, do a Google Reverse Image search. Many fake online stores will use product images from a legitimate store and try to pawn it off as theirs.
2. Concert Tickets Social Posts: Many fans are hoping that they’ll receive Taylor, Sabrina, or Olivia tickets as a gift, and scammers know this. Scammers will either create fake social media profiles to sell fake concert tickets or hack into legitimate accounts. No tickets exist, but they’ll pretend they do. Some things to look out for:
3. Holiday Charity Scams: Fake charities pop up throughout the holiday season to solicit “donations.” Before donating to any charity, it’s best to conduct due diligence and research the charity. Be cautious of a charity that presses you to send money quickly or continues to send messages before receiving a response. Additionally, it’s best to donate to a charity through their legitimate website, by sending a check to a physical location you can verify, or by donating goods and presents instead of money.
4. Package Delivery “Problem” Messages: Package recipients are often receiving text messages or emails that there was an issue with their order, even if the order is fake and never placed. These messages typically include a link, which can lead to a phishing site or malware download.
5. Romance Scams: October through Valentine’s Day has been deemed “Cuffing Season,” where single individuals may pursue a short-term relationship to have a partner for all the upcoming holidays. During this time, scammers hope to prey on those looking to find a match quickly. After gaining trust, dating app scammers will ask their match for money (“I need a plane ticket to meet you!”) and then request payment via a hard-to-fight or dispute method. They may ask the match to wire money, put money on a gift card, transfer crypto, or send money via a money transfer app like Venmo or Zelle where it’s difficult to track.
6. Service and Support Emails: Electronics are popular purchases on Black Friday, and many consumers opt for a service or support plan. But did you receive an email for an electronic service plan you didn’t buy? Many scammers will create email accounts and mail out service plan invoices and receipts with links to malware or phishing sites. (For example, if you didn’t buy a TV at Best Buy but received a Geek Squad invoice, contact Best Buy first – and do not click on any links or open any attachments).
In addition to informing your members about particular types of holiday scams, you can remind them of other universal tips and tricks to stay vigilant:
