Check out the Better Business Bureau's list of naughty scams for the holidays
I hate to use “Christmas” and “scams” in the same sentence, but crooks don’t take holidays. The BBB has compiled our naughty list of the most common Christmas scams.
More and more scams originate on social media year-round. They include products that are never delivered, items that are counterfeit or much different from the one advertised, and deceptive free trial offers.
Phony gift exchanges pop up during the holiday season, including ones encouraging you to send money or a gift to strangers with the promise that you’ll receive as much or more in return. You likely won’t receive anything and may have shared personal information with crooks.
Dozens of holiday-themed apps in Apple’s App Store and Google Play offer children the opportunity to chat with Santa, light the menorah, or relay their holiday wish lists. Review privacy policies to see what information will be collected and how it will be used. Free apps may contain more advertising than ones with a fee or may contain malware.
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Scams even extend to fake and fraudulent delivery job offers
The BBB receives lots of reports about fake texts and emails claiming Amazon, PayPal, and bank accounts have been compromised. Another scam that picks up steam this time of year are fake shipping notifications. Be wary of any unsolicited messages asking you to provide personal or financial information. Clicking on links or attachments can download malware to your device.
Retailers, shippers, and delivery services hire seasonal workers to meet the demands of holiday shoppers; such jobs may turn into long-term employment opportunities. But be wary of a job that seems too good to be true, particularly if you have to pay a fee to get it or provide personal or financial information before, or even without, an interview.
Look-alike websites trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases, and sharing private information. The URL may look like a well-known retailer’s, but closer scrutiny reveals a few characters have been altered. Changes may be particularly difficult to detect on a cell phone screen.
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Don't let your generosity distract you from protecting yourself
Many people feel more generous this time of year, making them susceptible to phony charitable appeals. Don’t be pressured into making an immediate donation. Legitimate charities will welcome your donation tomorrow as much as today; crooks are dialing for dollars. Check charities out with the BBB’s Give.org or the state agency that regulates them.
Unusually low prices, especially on popular and hard-to-get items, indicate they may be counterfeits or knock-offs. Barbie and Ken, Bitzee, and Paw Patrol headphones are in high demand this year. Be cautious buying popular toys from resellers on Facebook Marketplace and other platforms.
Requests via email, text, or social media messages to provide personal information or take a survey in exchange for a gift card are often scams. If you’re buying a gift card off a rack in a store as a present, inspect the packaging to be sure it hasn’t been tampered with. Crooks will remove them, record the numbers and PIN, return them to the rack, wait for them to be purchased and activated, and loot the funds.
Finally, families that want to add a puppy or other pet to their household during the holidays may turn to the Internet where experts say 80 percent of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake. Be sure to see the pet before making the purchase.
Randy Hutchinson is president & CEO Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Better Business Bureau: Avoid this scams naughty list for the holidays
