November and December are open season for savvy bargain hunters, but it also puts unsuspecting consumers in the crosshairs of would-be scammers hoping to feast on ill-gotten gains.
Many fraudsters use phony websites for harvesting credit card numbers and other personal data to commit identity theft or sell personal information on the dark web. Here are a few tips to help you shop with confidence during the holidays.
- Open With Care
Beware of "order confirmation" or "delivery notification" emails with links to package tracking information for items you don't remember purchasing.
- Wolf in Santa Clothing
That Jolly St. Nick letter could be a ruse to obtain personal data from kids that could leave them vulnerable to identity theft and compromised credit years from now.
- Don't Take The Bait
Fraudulent booking sites or email offers with dream vacations that seem too good to be true may serve as clickbait to lure you into disclosing sensitive information.
- Stay Alert
Know where your credit and debit cares are at all times and cover the keypad when entering your PIN for purchases or withdrawing funds from ATMs.
- Unsolicited Assistance
Scammers sometimes prey on data breach fears and reach out offering assistance to unsuspecting victims. If you receive an unsolicited call asking for personal information, hang up and call the company directly.
Warning Signs to Watch
- Does the site promise huge discounts for high-price ticket items or in-demand gifts?
- Is the website or email littered with spelling or grammatical errors?
- Are key pieces of contact information (phone numbers, street address) missing?
- Does the site lack a privacy policy or additional security designations?