• November 19, 2018

Scams to Avoid this Holiday Season

Scams to Avoid this Holiday Season

Scams to Avoid this Holiday Season 841 1024 Consumer & Business

The holiday season brings cheer and charity. But before you make a purchase or donation, beware of the following scams.

Donation scams – The holidays are a great opportunity to donate money to non-profit organizations and charities. Before you say yes to a donation request, verify that the organization is reputable and always ask for a receipt for your records. Learn more about donating safely here.

Purchase add-ons – If you’re spending big this season, make sure to thoroughly read and understand contracts before signing them. Also, take your time to think over warranties and see if it is really worth the extra cost before signing up. Don’t let sales associates pressure you with deals. You can always walk away and sleep on it. The deals will be there tomorrow. If you need to cancel a contract, read our article here to find out if your purchase is eligible.

Spam phone calls – From robocalls to text messages scammers are able to contact you around the clock. Be especially careful of IRS scams as tax season approaches. Scammers will try to convince you that you owe back taxes and demand payment through gift cards or a wire transfer. Text messages can include links to fake IRS forms or a website, asking you to verify personal information. All phone and text scams are targeting your money and your personal info. Delete suspicious texts and ignore calls from unknown phone numbers. The IRS will always contact you by mail before calling you about unpaid taxes. Learn more about the IRS phone scam, and how to protect yourself here.

Porch Pirates – If you’re ordering gifts online, make sure to bring all packages in the house, or get them shipped to your office or another safe address if possible. Porch pirates target packages that are left out during the day. Also be sure to stop your mail if you’re going out of town, as scammers can go through and find your personal information to steal your identity. Learn more about mail fraud and scams here.

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