GOSHEN — The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us. As you prepare your shopping lists during this time of year, it’s crucial to be aware of current holiday scams that are affecting thousands of people daily. Not only can scammers rob you of hard-earned money, but they can also steal personal information that can be detrimental in a variety of ways.
The two most prevalent holiday scams are non-delivery and non-payment. A non-delivery scam is when a buyer purchases a good or service online and never receives the item or service. A non-payment scam involves a good or service being shipped before the seller is paid.
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s 2021 report found on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s website, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost individuals over $337 million in losses during 2021. Additionally, credit card fraud accounted for an additional $173 million in losses.
What are some ways you can stay proactive and safe during the 2022 holiday season? Follow these helpful tips to best protect yourself, your wallet, and your identity.
Practice Safe Cybersecurity Hygiene.
• Be mindful of any suspicious links or attachments you may receive in emails, see on websites, or find on social media. These phishing scam attempts get you to click on a link that asks for personal information such as your…
