The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to start shopping for gifts. But it’s not just the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that you need to be aware of; there are also online scams that target unsuspecting consumers. Whether you’re shopping online or browsing social media, understanding these 9 common online scams can help keep your family safe this holiday season.
1. Phishing emails
One of the most common online scams is phishing emails, which are designed to trick users into giving up sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Oftentimes, these emails appear to be from legitimate companies but have been sent by scammers in an attempt to steal your personal information. If you receive an email asking for personal information or offering a “too good to be true” deal, do not click any links or provide any information — it could be a scam!
2. Fake shopping sites
Another common scam is fake shopping sites. These sites look like real stores but they are actually set up by scammers looking to steal your credit card information. To protect yourself from this type of scam, always research a company before you make a purchase, read customer reviews, and check for secure payment methods such as PayPal or credit card processing. Additionally, if the website looks suspicious (i.e. low quality graphics and spelling errors) then it could be a sign that it is not legitimate.
3. Fake charities
Criminals often…
