December 12, 2023
Protect Yourself this Holiday Season
While the holiday season is a source of joy, it can also be a cause for stress. One easy way to reduce stress is to arm yourself and your loved ones with scam awareness.
Be aware of…
Imposters who pretend to be your bank, an anti-virus company, a common merchant, the postal service, or even a loved one. When in doubt, end the communication and use a trusted contact method to verify the request.
Malicious advertisements that lead you to a fake (“spoofed”) website that resembles a legitimate company. They may also try to “sell” products that are sold out with reputable merchants.
Online companions you thought you trusted who ask you to open a bank account, send money, receive money, or hold onto money.
TAKE ACTION!
- Go directly to the reputable merchant’s website. Avoid clicking on advertisements.
- Verify email senders. Does this look like an email you would normally receive from a merchant? Are there spelling errors? It could be a phishing attempt.
- Look before you click on a link or scan a QR code. A malicious link or QR code could lead you to a spoofed website that either starts downloading malware to your device or steals your login credentials.
- Look out for unexpected communication with a false sense of urgency.
- Monitor your accounts and credit reports for unusual activity.
- Talk about scams with loved ones.
Additional Resources
*Source: American Bankers Association