Look Out For These 12 Christmas Scams

Not only can the holiday season be a busy time of year for shopping and gift-givers, but also for scammers

According to the Better Business Bureau, fraudsters could be on the move to defraud individuals through a variety of schemes as the holidays approach. To increase awareness, the BBB has created a list of the twelve most recent Christmas scams that consumers should be wary of — and you may want to double-check it.

Social media advertisements that are deceptive are at the top of the heap. In internet purchase scams, links to bogus websites propagate, with enterprises frequently failing to deliver the promised goods or services. These businesses may even pretend to support a charity or provide a free trial, according to the BBB.

According to the BBB, social media gift exchanges are additional red holiday flags. Participants in this scheme purchase and ship present or money to unidentified individuals. The BBB also warned shoppers to be wary of Christmas applications that may include spyware and bogus delivery alerts that may attempt to steal personal information.

So how can you protect yourself from getting scammed?

The BBB advised consumers to conduct research. Also recommended is using a credit card instead of a debit card, gift card, or payment apps such as Bigpay or Apple Pay while making online transactions. The BBB warns against using debit cards and apps linked to bank accounts since it might be difficult to retrieve funds once they have been sent.

According to the BBB, here is a detailed list of the 12 most common Christmas scammers, as well as advice on how to prevent them:

1. Fake social media advertisements
2. Social media gift exchange
3. Holiday applications
4. Alerts regarding compromised accounts: Victims could receive an email, phone call, or text message informing them of suspicious behaviour on one of their accounts. In addition, they are urged to take prompt action to prevent account compromise. Be especially wary about unsolicited phone calls, emails, and text messages.
5. Free gift cards: Scammers may send mass phishing emails asking for personal information in exchange for free gift cards. If you have received unsolicited emails offering gift cards, you should not open them. Mark it as spam or rubbish instead.
6. Temporary holiday employment: These schemes may be designed to steal applicants' money and personal information. Keep an eye out for opportunities that appear implausible.
7. Fake websites: Be wary of emails containing links, as some may lead to imposter websites designed by con artists to deceive users into downloading malware, making useless purchases, and divulging private information. Only click links if you are sure about the email's legitimacy.
8. Fake charities: Donors are warned to look for fake charities and crooks posing as needy folks. Verify the charity's legitimacy before giving. Please donate to the charity via their website and with a credit card wherever possible.
9. Fake notifications: Scammers send phishing emails, including links that may provide unauthorised access to your sensitive information or download malware to your device.
10. Pop-up Christmas virtual events: Scammers create false event pages, social media posts, and emails to collect credit card information by charging entry for once-free events. To avoid getting scammed, confirm with the event's organiser if there is an admission charge.
11. Wishlist gifts: Typically, low- or absurdly-priced luxury products, jewellery, designer apparel, and electronics are imitations and knockoffs. Consider with caution the purchase of these expensive things from persons on social networking sites.
12. Puppy scams: Scammers may advertise pups. Request to visit the animal in person before purchasing.

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