While the holidays are often seen as a time to get together with those you love, for some, it’s sadly a time to take advantage of those who are vulnerable.
So, to be best prepared for this holiday season, the Better Business Bureau has released its annual list of scams to be on the lookout for.
The top three scams the BBB is warning to be on the lookout for this holiday season revolve around social media and apps that may be offering deals that are too good to be true.
The BBB warns that if you see a product being advertised on social media and it doesn’t seem like a sure thing, it’s best to check to research the company or site selling the item before you give out your information. One way to do this is by checking the BBB Scam Tracker before you buy.
The BBB shared that its scam tracker “receives daily reports of people paying for items that they never receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the one advertised.”
Other scams include social media gift exchanges, where people get tricked into giving money, liquor, gift cards, or small gifts under the promise that they will then receive something back. However, the BBB says that all they receive is the gift of having their personal information stolen or getting signed up for a pyramid scheme.
The BBB also warns that consumers should be on the lookout for holiday apps that may be collecting your information or infecting your device with malware.
Similarly, fake road toll collection texts or offerings of free gift cards should also be vetted before any of your information is given away.
The BBB shares that those hitting the road may find themselves the victim of fake texts that offer the ability to pay unpaid road tolls over the phone. The BBB says to verify any owed road tolls through legitimate agencies, never through links sent to your phone.
Similarly, with offerings of “FREE” gift cards, consumers should be wary of anyone who sends them an email or text offering them something for free that they didn’t sign up for.
“If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Instead, mark it as spam or junk and delete it. However, if you opened the email, do not click on any links,” the BBB shared.
During the holidays, many will often pick up extra work, but not everything is what it seems, as the BBB warns job seekers to be wary of employment scams.
Other scams that can put a damper on the holidays include impostor scams, where someone attempts to steal money from you by pretending to be someone you know.
Fake charities may also pop up, appearing to accept donations for a cause you care about as a front to steal your money and information. Fake shipping notifications may show up in your texts or emails, appearing to give an update on your packages, but instead, it’s just someone trying to steal your information.
The BBB also warns about advent calendar scams where they aren’t what they’re advertised as online.
In its list of scams to be on the lookout for, the BBB saved some of the worst for last, including counterfeit item scams, where some will try to take advantage by offering the season’s highest-demanded toys, jewelry, clothing, and more, but instead, send you a cheap knockoff. The other is puppy scams, where you think you’re buying a furry friend but instead get your money stolen and hearts broken.
While this time of year can be stressful, the BBB says to think things through, go slowly, and don’t trust any offerings or deals sent to you directly. Always check and then check again to ensure you’re dealing with a trusted source that isn’t taking advantage of you.