Holiday Shopping Scams: Expert Tips to Protect Your Money

Recognizing Online Shopping Scams

• ⚠️ Scammers target holiday shoppers who are rushed, distracted, and more willing to spend.
• 📌 Red flags for fake websites include unusual domain names (e.g., .co instead of .com) or strange character combinations.
• 💡 If a website looks suspicious, it's best to delete it and shop elsewhere.

Identifying Fake Delivery Alerts

• 🚚 Assume delivery texts are not legitimate; most delivery services already have your address and don't text for every delivery.
• 📱 Scammers use fake alerts for toll tags or deliveries to trick you into giving up personal information like your name, social security number, and credit card details.
• 🔍 If a text message looks suspicious, it probably is; ignore or delete it.

Ensuring Legitimate Charity Donations

• ❤️ During the holidays, people are in a giving spirit, making them targets for fake charities.
• 🏛️ To verify a charity's legitimacy, use resources like the Better Business Bureau or visit the organization's official website.
• 📞 If in doubt, call the charity directly using a verified number during business hours to confirm their authenticity.

Avoiding Gift Card and Cryptocurrency Scams

• 💳 Never pay with gift cards or Bitcoin when requested; this is a common scam tactic.
• 💸 Unlike credit cards or checks, gift cards and Bitcoin offer no money trail once the scammer has the funds.
• 🚨 Scammers often use pressure-filled situations (e.g., fake emergencies, arrest warrants) to force immediate payment.
• 📞 If faced with a high-pressure situation, hang up and call back using a verified number to confirm the legitimacy of the request.