Holiday Scammers Cons Identity Theft Protection Scam Alert AARP Bulletin
Holiday Scammers, Cons - Identity Theft Protection - Scam Alert - AARP Bulletin Scams & Fraud
Shopping shenanigans. Searching online for popular gifts can lead you to scammer-run websites. Click on a fake company listing from your search results and you may unleash identity-stealing computer See also:
Illustration by Mark Matcho Don't let scammers get your money or personal information while doing your holiday shopping. simulating legit retailers also proliferate this time of year to or sell cheap counterfeit goods. Defense: Never click on a link before you carefully read its address. Beware of unfamiliar firms or missing letters, misspellings or other tweaks of a legitimate company's name — tiffanyco.mn instead of tiffany.com, for instance. When paying for an item online, provide credit card numbers only if a page's address begins with "https," not "http" — the "s" stands for security.
Gift card grift. from display racks, thieves copy or use portable scanners that can read the codes under the scratch-off strips. Then they replace the cards and check toll-free numbers later to see if the cards were activated and for how much. Before your niece can spend the card you gave her, they beat her to it, using the card's number for purchases. Defense: Purchase gift cards from a store's customer service counter or website, rather than the less secure display racks. Greeting card gotchas. These scams begin with an email claiming someone has sent you an Click on the provided link or attachment and you could get malware. Defense: Delete, without opening, any email purporting to announce a greeting from an unnamed "friend," "admirer" or even "webmaster." Legitimate notifications include a confirmation code you can use to view the card by going to the card company's website. Deceptive deliveries. You may get email claiming that a courier service or the U.S. Postal Service has a package for you; don't click on those links promising "details." Or you may get a postcard about an "undeliverable" package. If you call the number it provides, you may be tricked into making an expensive overseas call, with the scammer getting part of what you pay. Defense: When in doubt, contact the courier or postal service by locating its phone number yourself. Charity cons. Holiday season is prime time for fake funds for police, firefighters, needy children or veterans. Defense: Ignore email solicitations and be wary of fundraising phone calls — never provide a credit card number to someone who calls you. Ask for printed material. And before donating, always check out a charity's legitimacy with a phone call or online search.
Also of interest:
Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Holiday Hoaxes
5 gifts you don' t want
For you, it's the season of giving. For it's the ideal time for taking. Here's how you can protect your money and identity:Shopping shenanigans. Searching online for popular gifts can lead you to scammer-run websites. Click on a fake company listing from your search results and you may unleash identity-stealing computer See also:
Illustration by Mark Matcho Don't let scammers get your money or personal information while doing your holiday shopping. simulating legit retailers also proliferate this time of year to or sell cheap counterfeit goods. Defense: Never click on a link before you carefully read its address. Beware of unfamiliar firms or missing letters, misspellings or other tweaks of a legitimate company's name — tiffanyco.mn instead of tiffany.com, for instance. When paying for an item online, provide credit card numbers only if a page's address begins with "https," not "http" — the "s" stands for security.
Related
Gift card grift. from display racks, thieves copy or use portable scanners that can read the codes under the scratch-off strips. Then they replace the cards and check toll-free numbers later to see if the cards were activated and for how much. Before your niece can spend the card you gave her, they beat her to it, using the card's number for purchases. Defense: Purchase gift cards from a store's customer service counter or website, rather than the less secure display racks. Greeting card gotchas. These scams begin with an email claiming someone has sent you an Click on the provided link or attachment and you could get malware. Defense: Delete, without opening, any email purporting to announce a greeting from an unnamed "friend," "admirer" or even "webmaster." Legitimate notifications include a confirmation code you can use to view the card by going to the card company's website. Deceptive deliveries. You may get email claiming that a courier service or the U.S. Postal Service has a package for you; don't click on those links promising "details." Or you may get a postcard about an "undeliverable" package. If you call the number it provides, you may be tricked into making an expensive overseas call, with the scammer getting part of what you pay. Defense: When in doubt, contact the courier or postal service by locating its phone number yourself. Charity cons. Holiday season is prime time for fake funds for police, firefighters, needy children or veterans. Defense: Ignore email solicitations and be wary of fundraising phone calls — never provide a credit card number to someone who calls you. Ask for printed material. And before donating, always check out a charity's legitimacy with a phone call or online search.
Also of interest:
Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures