Staying Safe from Fraud During the Holiday Season
Stay Alert for Holiday Scams – Advice from cPort Credit Union
The holiday season is a time for celebration, giving, and shopping, but it’s also prime time for fraudsters looking to take advantage of increased spending. With a few simple steps, you can protect yourself from holiday scams and enjoy a worry-free season.
Understanding Holiday Scams
The holiday season is a prime time for cybercriminals to take advantage of the increased online shopping and charitable giving. Holiday scams can be particularly damaging, as they often involve financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress. Take a moment to understand the common types of holiday scams and how to protect yourself from them. By staying informed and cautious, you can safeguard your finances and personal information during this festive time.
Be Aware of These Online Scams
1. Be Cautious with Links: Holiday offers flood our inboxes, but not all of them are legit. Hover over links in emails to check the URL before clicking. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true—they often are!
2. Shop Securely Online: When making final purchases use reputable websites and look for the padlock symbol in the URL bar. Consider paying with credit rather than debit for an extra layer of protection against holiday scams. Avoid making purchases over public Wi-Fi, as these networks are often unsecured.
3. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card accounts for unusual activity. Package delivery scams are also common, where scammers send fake messages about package updates to steal personal information. Many financial institutions, including cPort, offer mobile alerts to help you stay on top of your spending and quickly detect fraudulent activity.
4. Beware of Fake Charities: The spirit of giving is high during the holidays, and scammers take advantage of it. Research charities before donating, especially if the request is unsolicited.
5. Guard Your Personal Information from Holiday Fraud: Phishing attacks increase during the holidays. If someone requests sensitive information, like your Social Security number or credit card details, verify their legitimacy. No reputable organization, including cPort, will ask for these details over email or phone.
Stay vigilant and remember: A little extra caution goes a long way in keeping your holiday season merry and bright. Protect yourself and enjoy peace of mind knowing you’ve taken steps to stay safe from fraud.
Social Media Scams
Social media platforms often serve as hotspots for holiday scams. Scammers use social media ads, posts, and messages to trick people into giving up their money or sensitive information. Be cautious of enticing offers, promotions, or contests that seem unusually generous, as they may be a means of capturing your personal information to commit identity fraud or other types of cybercrime. Always verify the authenticity of a request or offer before taking action. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Have You Been a Victim to a Holiday Scam?
If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scam, it is important to act quickly. Contact cPort directly at 1-800- 464-0253. Our fraud prevention team is ready to help. Read our blog Protect Yourself from Fraud Scams! to learn more about staying safe from fraud.