HOLIDAY SCAMS

HOLIDAY SHOPPING ALERTS

With holiday shopping in full swing and recession worried shoppers hunting for the bargains it's a safe assumption that crooks and scammers are baiting traps with deals TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!!

On cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving day and the unofficial kick-off of online shopping holiday season. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued an alert reminding shoppers to be prudent with their purse strings and personal information. This includes social security number, address, phone number, and banking or credit card number(s).

BOGUS ONLINE CLASSIFIED ADS AND AUCTIONS:

Criminals post products they don't have, or use stolen credit card numbers to purchase merchandise they offer in auctions. In other scams criminals may promise free delivery and provide customers with free "paid" shipping labels that are fake and won't be honored by shippers.

TIPS: Don't provide financial information directly to sellers - use a legitimate payment service. Check each seller's feedback rating and proven track record.

PHONY GIFT CARDS:

As with merchandise, be cautious about buying gift cards through classified ads or auctions or getting phone calls from supposed retail stores giving away gift cards over the phone....we only need your banking account information they will say. ...UH NO!!! Send it to me in the mail ..tell them and you most likely will never see it.

TIPS:Buy directly from a merchant or authorized retailer. Counterfeit cards won't be honored.

PHISHING:

These time-tested cams arrive by e-mail or text message, directing recipients to follow a link or call a number to correct or update account information. Would-be victims are sent to fruadulent or spoofed websites that look legitimate or directed to provide their account infromation and personal details.

TIPS: Don't respond to unsolicted e-mail. Don't click on e-mail links or download attachments from unknown senders.

Protect yourself, protect your accounts and have peace of mind this holiday season! If it sounds TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...It most likely is!!!

Resources:

Press Release - FBI.gov

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

E-Scams and Warnings



	HOLIDAY SHOPPING ALERTS With holiday shopping in full swing and recession worried shoppers hunting for the bargains it's a safe assumption that crooks and scammers are baiting traps with deals TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!! On cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving day and the unofficial kick-off of online shopping holiday season. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued an alert reminding shoppers to be prudent with their purse strings and personal information. This includes social security number, address, phone number, and banking or credit card number(s). BOGUS ONLINE CLASSIFIED ADS AND AUCTIONS: Criminals post products they don't have, or use stolen credit card numbers to purchase merchandise they offer in auctions. In other scams criminals may promise free delivery and provide customers with free "paid" shipping labels that are fake and won't be honored by shippers. TIPS: Don't provide financial information directly to sellers - use a legitimate payment service. Check each seller's feedback rating and proven track record. PHONY GIFT CARDS: As with merchandise, be cautious about buying gift cards through classified ads or auctions or getting phone calls from supposed retail stores giving away gift cards over the phone....we only need your banking account information they will say. ...UH NO!!! Send it to me in the mail ..tell them and you most likely will never see it. TIPS:Buy directly from a merchant or authorized retailer. Counterfeit cards won't be honored. PHISHING: These time-tested cams arrive by e-mail or text message, directing recipients to follow a link or call a number to correct or update account information. Would-be victims are sent to fruadulent or spoofed websites that look legitimate or directed to provide their account infromation and personal details. TIPS: Don't respond to unsolicted e-mail. Don't click on e-mail links or download attachments from unknown senders. Protect yourself, protect your accounts and have peace of mind this holiday season! If it sounds TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...It most likely is!!! Resources: Press Release - FBI.gov Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) E-Scams and Warnings
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