The holiday season means many are shopping for loved ones and looking for ways to give back.
But, according to a recent consumer alert by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, it’s also a “period when we typically see an uptick in fraud and other scams,” he said.
An AARP survey, the largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to older Americans, found that three-quarters of shoppers have been targeted by at least one type of fraud tied to the holidays by way of online shopping scams, solicitations from fake charities or notices about nonexistent shipments.
A great way to avoid some of these pitfalls is to shop locally.
But, if you do shop online, be wary of prices that seem “too good to be true.” Make sure to check out shipping and handling fees and return or exchange policies, look for security credentials on websites and always save your order and tracking number.
On that last point, scammers know that people receive a lot of packages this time of year, so beware of phishing emails pretending to be order updates from such shipping companies as FedEx or UPS that lead to fake websites aimed at getting people’s personal information.
To be safe, navigate directly to the shipper’s website and search for an order status with your tracking number.
With unfamiliar businesses, it’s good to do a couple minutes of research before you buy. It can be as simple as Googling the company’s name with the words “review” or “scam” or “legit.” You’ll find…
