Stay Safe from Holiday Scams: What You Need to Know
The holidays are a season of joy, generosity, and excitement—but for scammers, it’s also a prime opportunity to target unwitting shoppers. With the surge in online shopping, charity giving, and holiday communications, scammers use increasingly crafty tactics to deceive people. To help you protect yourself and your loved ones, here are some common holiday scams and tips to avoid them.
Fake Online Stores
What to watch for: Scammers create websites that look nearly identical to reputable retailers or big-name stores, often luring shoppers with deep discounts on popular products.
How to avoid it: Stick to well-known retailers, and always check the website URL for accuracy—scam sites often have slight misspellings or additional characters. Look for "https" and a padlock icon in the URL bar to verify the site’s security. If a deal looks too good to be true, it likely is.
Phishing Emails and Text Messages
What to watch for: Phishing scams increase around the holidays, with emails or texts disguised as shipping notifications, holiday deals, or urgent requests to confirm payment information.
How to avoid it: Never click links or download attachments from unknown sources. Legitimate companies will never ask you to provide sensitive information, like credit card numbers or passwords, through a link in an email or text. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website.
Fake Charity Appeals
What to watch for: During the season of giving, fake charities often ask for donations, exploiting people's generosity. Some even mimic the names of well-known organizations.
How to avoid it: Before donating, research the charity on sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar, or directly on their official website. Avoid giving payment information over the phone or email unless you initiate the contact.
Gift Card Scams
What to watch for: Scammers sometimes ask for payments through gift cards or sell discounted gift cards that are already used or have been tampered with.
How to avoid it: Never purchase gift cards from unofficial sellers or sites offering "too-good-to-be-true" deals. Treat gift cards like cash—once they’re gone, they’re nearly impossible to recover. Always buy them from trusted retailers or directly from the store.
Social Media “Secret Santa” Gift Exchanges
What to watch for: These scams promise that if you send a small gift, you’ll receive many more. However, they’re often a way to gather personal information and rarely deliver on their promises.
How to avoid it: It’s best to avoid these types of “chain gift exchanges” altogether. Share holiday cheer directly with friends and family instead.
Holiday Travel Scams
What to watch for: Scammers may offer unbelievably low prices on travel packages or accommodation, usually requiring upfront payment to secure the “deal.”
How to avoid it: Book directly through reputable travel sites or work with a trusted travel agent. Be cautious of last-minute offers or unsolicited emails advertising discounted travel deals.
General Tips for Staying Safe:
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements to spot any unauthorized transactions. Consider using ICCU’s online banking to keep an eye on your account activity.
Use Strong Passwords: Use unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication when possible.
Beware of Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to rush you into a decision. Take your time and think through each transaction.
Stay Informed: Many scams evolve. Educate yourself and your loved ones about new types of scams and share these tips with them.
Let ICCU Help Protect You
Your safety and security are top priorities for us at ICCU. If you spot unusual activity on your debit or credit card, you can lock your card through our online banking before reaching out to us. Staying informed and vigilant during the holidays can help you enjoy the season with peace of mind. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at 989-773-5927.
From all of us at ICCU, have a safe and joyous holiday season!
Isabella Community Credit Union ∙ 989∙773∙5927