| Delivery and Shipping Texts | - Scammers take advantage of increased holiday generosity by creating fake charities or lookalike donation sites.
- Messages may claim a package is delayed and prompt you to update your address or click a link.
- These scams often impersonate carriers such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS by using fake tracking links or phone numbers.
- Clicking the link may allow them to steal personal information by requesting sensitive data such as Social Security numbers.
| - Watch for unexpected texts or emails about missed deliveries or extra fees, especially if you weren’t expecting a package.
- These messages often come from unfamiliar numbers and include shortened or suspicious links.
- Don’t click links or call phone numbers provided in unsolicited delivery notices; instead, track packages through the retailer’s or carrier’s official website or your order confirmation email.
- If you’re unsure, look up the company’s official customer service number. Never use the contact information in a suspicious message.
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| Fake Retail Websites and Ads | - Scammers now use artificial intelligence to clone legitimate shopping websites to steal payment information or sell fake goods.
- These fake sites often use URLs that are just one character or domain different from the real one (e.g., “.co” instead of “.com”).
- Promotional emails or social media ads may direct you to these lookalike sites with unusually deep discounts.
- Popular brands such as Apple, Amazon, and luxury retailers are frequent targets for impersonation.
| - Pay close attention to website links. Look for slight spelling differences, low-quality images, or deals that seem too good to be true.
- Stick to trusted retailers and double-check URLs before buying, and if an urgent deal appears, visit the retailer’s official website directly rather than clicking a link.
- For stronger fraud protection, use a credit card when possible, rather than debit or gift cards.
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| Phishing Emails (Fake Deals or Issues) | - Expect an increase in scam emails pretending to be from popular retailers offering big holiday sales or exclusive deals.
- Some emails may claim there is an order problem or a refund issue and urge you to respond quickly.
- These messages can appear legitimate, with perfect grammar, accurate branding, and real logos.
- The links in these emails are designed to steal your login credentials, personal information, or payment details.
| - Watch for generic greetings, minor logo or image discrepancies, or email addresses that don’t match the official company domain.
- Do not click links or open attachments in unexpected or unsolicited emails. Remember: If it’s unexpected, it’s probably unwanted.
- Verify any offers that appear to be too good to be true or urgent account alerts by visiting the retailer’s official website or app directly.
- If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact the company using its official customer service channels.
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| Charity and Donation Scams | - Scammers take advantage of increased holiday generosity by creating fake charities or lookalike donation sites.
- They may send emails or make phone calls using emotional stories to pressure you into giving.
- Criminals often mimic real charity names or claim to be raising money for disaster relief or veteran support.
- Their goal is to steal your donation money or capture your payment information.
| - Be cautious of high-pressure charity appeals, especially from organizations that contact you unexpectedly or you do not recognize.
- Watch for slight name variations that mimic legitimate charities.
- Research any charity before donating by typing its official website directly into your browser or using trusted resources such as Charity Navigator.
- Do not donate through links in unsolicited emails or calls. Give only through official sites or known campaigns, and never send cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.
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| Gift Card or Prize Scams | - Gift cards are a common tool for scammers because they provide quick, irreversible access to money.
- Some criminals tamper with gift cards in stores by copying card numbers and draining the funds as soon as the card is activated.
- Other scammers demand payment in gift cards, often by impersonating executive team members, coworkers, or organizations and requesting Apple, Amazon, or eBay gift cards.
- Scammers may also claim you won a prize or lottery that requires buying gift cards or paying fees, but once you provide the funds, they cannot be recovered.
| - Be suspicious of anyone requesting payment in gift cards. No legitimate company or government agency uses gift cards as a payment method.
- Use caution if someone claiming to be a supervisor, colleague, or contest representative contacts you unexpectedly, urges secrecy, or pressures you to act quickly.
- Inspect gift cards before buying, avoid cards with damaged packaging or exposed PINs, and verify any unusual requests by calling the person directly.
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| Impostor Scams (Family or Government) | - These scams exploit emotional pressure or urgency to gain your trust.
- Criminals may use social media information or AI-generated voice technology to impersonate a family member in trouble, such as claiming they were in an accident or are stranded and need money.
- You may receive a call that sounds like a relative, such as a child, grandchild, or cousin, asking for immediate financial help.
- Scammers may impersonate government officials, claiming to offer a fake “tariff rebate” or special grant, and insist that you provide personal information to receive the money, even though no such program exists.
| - Be cautious of urgent requests for money or personal information over the phone, even if the caller sounds familiar. Scammers can spoof caller ID and use recorded or AI-generated voices.
- If you receive a panicked call from someone claiming to be a relative, pause and verify by hanging up and calling them or another family member back on a known, trusted number. Consider establishing a family code word for verification.
- For calls or emails claiming to be from government agencies, remember that legitimate agencies will not contact you about unexpected rebates or ask for sensitive information by phone or email.
- Never provide Social Security numbers, account details, or payments based on an unsolicited call. Contact the official organization directly if you need to confirm whether the communication is legitimate.
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