Here are three additional types of fraud you should look out for during the holidays.
Watch for Fake Surveys
Emails promising some sort of money or gift card in exchange for completing a survey, can end up being a scam as well. Most of the time the surveys are very short and generic, but at the end they ask for some personal information. This is typically what the scammers are really after. By gathering this information, they can use it to further a more advanced phishing scam. Rule of thumb; don’t give out any personal information over the internet if you don’t know who is requesting it.
Craigslist fraud
On Craigslist, you can find just about anything. Pets, vehicles, bikes, and even wedding dresses are some of the popular items going around. Although this site can be beneficial for both buyer and seller, it is important to always use caution when posting or purchasing items on this website.
Luckily, recognizing a scam is not as hard as you might think. Scammers will often approach you with a vague initial inquiry about your item and when they show interest they’ll refuse to meet face-to-face. Simple things like misspelling and poor grammar are also tell-tale signs of a fraudster. Some scammers are going as far as sending out a genuine-looking check that is written for more than the asking price. The customer is then instructed to cash the check and send the rest of the money to a third party. Once the check fails to clear, the customer is then responsible for paying back those funds. Don’t allow yourself to become a victim; avoid putting any personal contact information directly on the ad, never wire funds, and under no circumstances should you ever give out your financial information.
Giving safely
In the spirit of the holiday season you may be feeling extra generous and want to donate some money to a good cause, while this is a wonderful thing to do it is important to make sure you know where you’re money is going. Unfortunately scammers are drawn to charities that most Americans resonate most powerfully with for example, charities that support families of public service men and children with cancer. When choosing a charity to donate to a little bit of research goes a long way.