This post has been updated for 2024.
It seems that another one pops up as fast as we are alerted to a new type of scam. It is the scammer’s version of Whack-A-Mole.
We wrote about Holiday scams last December, but 2024 is proving even more challenging. The FBI’s 2022 Internet Crimes Report showed that Americans lost $281 million to internet scams, including online shopping and “non-delivery” schemes, that generally spike during the holiday season.
Some of the scammer’s favorite scams are listed below. Enjoy this holiday season, but PLEASE be careful!
The Most Common Holiday Season Scams Edited for 2024:
AI Scams: My friend, an intelligent professional, received a call from her grandson, who sounded terrified. He told her that he was attacked, his wallet stolen, and he desperately needed her to wire funds so he could get home. She did not doubt that she was speaking with her grandson. She was about to send the funds but decided to call her grandson’s phone from her office phone. Yes, he was fine, but she was shaken as she said the voice was identical. These deepfakes are terrifyingly realistic, so please verify them before acting.
QR Codes on Parking Meters: QR codes are everywhere: signs, ads, menus, and even scams. BBB Scam Tracker has reports about a scam that involves fraudulent QR codes at parking lots, and the FTC has reported on this type of QR fraud as well. This time, scammers use them to steal parking fees and collect credit card information. It’s the flip side of this parking ticket scam. Learn how scams work to avoid falling victim here.
Beware of Fake Online Stores: These fraudulent sites, often advertised through social media, mimic legitimate stores offering high-demand items at unusually low prices. Check that the web address starts with https:// (the ‘s’ validates the security of the site), the little lock next to the https:// and take a moment to check the spelling.
Missed Delivery/Non-Delivery Notifications: With the surge in online shopping, be cautious of emails or texts about missed package deliveries. These are often phishing attempts to steal personal information. Verify the legitimacy of these notifications by checking the domain address or contacting the delivery service directly.
Gift Card Scams: Scammers may sell fake gift cards or use them as payment for fraudulent services. Purchase gift cards directly from established retailers to avoid this scam.
Fake Charities and Fundraising Campaigns: Cybercriminals exploit the holiday spirit by setting up sham charities or fundraising campaigns. Thoroughly research any organization or campaign before donating, looking out for red flags like misspelled URLs and missing contact information.
Mailed Check Scams: This is from our client’s painful experience. He put a check made out to a charity in his mailbox, expecting that the postman would pick it up while delivering his mail, a common and lovely act during the holidays. Common enough that thieves drive around the neighborhood, stealing these envelopes before the postperson collects them. The thieves used our client’s banking information and our client’s signature to create new checks and bought themselves a lot of grown-up toys before our client realized it. Yes, the bank in the end refunded the money, but it took a long time and a lot of aggravation.
Read here to learn how to protect yourself from these scams.
Key Tips for Avoiding Financial Scams:
- Protect your personal information; never share it with strangers. Frankly, never share it with anyone.
- Be skeptical of requests for payment, primarily via gift cards or wire transfers.
- Don’t succumb to high-pressure tactics or seemingly lucrative deals.
- Verify the legitimacy of offers and organizations before engaging.
- Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Contact Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti, P.A.: If you believe you’ve fallen victim to an online scam or want advice on protecting yourself, our experienced team is here to help.
Call our office at 305-653-5555, text us at 305-653-1515, email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at www.hlalaw.com. We are available 24/7 to meet in any of our four offices, at your home or in the hospital.
Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti, P.A.
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