Pine needles, broken Christmas lights, expensive shipping and the crowds at Costco all rank high on my Holiday No Thank You list. Now add scams to that.
Knowledge is power, and I don’t want you to fall for this junk. That starts with knowing what’s happening most right now in the world of cybercrime.
📲 1. ‘Hi, I’m calling from Amazon’
Criminals are calling, emailing and texting — claiming to be Amazon employees. Oh no, your account is on hold! Or there’s been suspicious activity that you need to deal with now. They’ll ask for your payment info. That’s a glaring red flag.
Stay safe: Only ever input payment details for Amazon directly into the website or app. If you get one of those calls, hang up and Google the number. I bet you’ll see reports from others who got the same call.
💻 2. An offer you can’t refuse
There’s an email in your inbox from Macy’s, and whoa! Everything is 50% to 70% off. Click the link, head to the site and all looks normal. Once you check out, though, you’re in big trouble.
Scammers use real brand assets (like logos, fonts and photos) to make you think that Macy’s or some other big retailer is having a major holiday sale. Then they direct you to a site that looks like the real thing … but it’s not.
Stay safe: Always, always triple-check the URL. If you’re not sure of a retailer’s website, do a search in your browser, but don’t click any sponsored results. Type in the address. And if you aren’t sure, you can always ask me and our IT geniuses to double-check things for you. Just leave a detailed note on our Message Board.
💳 3. I’ll take that, please
Here’s one happening when you shop IRL or in person. Folks will scan gift cards at self-checkout lanes, then wander away. You start scanning your stuff and don’t realize there’s already a $20 gift card on your order and pay for it all. That sneak comes back, grabs the card they scanned and you get stuck paying for it.
Stay safe: Always make sure the register’s self-check total is at zero before you start ringing things up. If not, let a staff member know.
🤑 4. The fake seasonal job
Lots of retailers and shipping companies hire in droves this time of year. Make sure any job postings you apply to or send to loved ones are legit.
Stay safe: UPS, Amazon, FedEx, Target and the rest are probably hiring, but they won’t make initial contact with you directly. Go to their websites and find the “Careers” section to apply.