“OMG! I bought my husband a 1.5-carat emerald 18k-gold tie bar for Christmas from an online jeweler—neatly boxed and wrapped with a red bow! It was a steal! But, when he opened it up on Christmas morning, the box was empty!”
The weather outside may be frightful, but it’s not nearly as scary as what scammers have in store for us this holiday season! They have devised clever schemes to steal your money. Don’t let them!
Scammers Favorite Holiday Targets
- Seniors who shop alone.
- People seeking “incredibly low-priced” deals online.
- People who are away from home but receive deliveries of boxes containing merchandise at their front door.
- People who shop in malls and load up their vehicles with their purchases in the parking lots.
How To Stop Scammers From Ruinning Your Holidays
- If you have elderly friends or relatives, offer to accompany them when they do their holiday shopping. Keep an eye on their purses and pockets and be wary of distractions or ruses that scammers may use to steal cash and wallets. If you see a sudden, unexplained commotion, hold tightly onto your purse, and immediately place your hand over, and protect, the pocket containing your wallet or cash.
- Shopping online has been a wonderfully convenient timesaver for so many of us. But it also has its risks. If you spot a superbly-priced gift item that you want to purchase, all wrapped and ready to go, STOP! Do your homework. Webpages offering amazing gift deals sprout seemingly overnight. Before you send a seller your hard-earned money, investigate them with search tools, read reviews, and find out if they have consumer complaints filed against them.
- Packages may arrive at your home from various delivery companies during the day. Don’t leave your purchases sitting on your doorsteps all day. Check your email and texts to see when a package will be delivered; if you are unable to pick it up upon receipt, ask a trusted neighbor, friend or relative if they pick it up.
- When you’ve completed your retail gift purchases at the mall, don’t load them alone and do not leave them in the car. It is an invitation for an unwanted encounter or break-in. Approach a mall security officer when you are ready to leave the mall and ask them to accompany you to your car while you load your holiday gifts.
Report Fraud
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, contact the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at (202) 727-8000, or: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) or call the FBI Washington Field Office at (202) 278-2000. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)–ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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