This is Part 2 of a two-part series. To read the first post, click here.

Top 10 Holiday Scams to Steer Clear of this Season

 

    1. Order shipment notification

When doing your holiday shopping, always make sure that the email notification confirming your order shipment is directly tied to the official company of which you conducted business. Never click random email links asking you to confirm your order, and avoid emails that ask you to re-submit your information after you purchase an item. As with the SMS notifications, if you feel the email could be legitimate, log directly in to that account and do not click the link.

    1. Phony gift cards

A common attempt that online criminals often deploy is to offer free or discounted gift cards in exchange for billing or address information. Consumers then get the short end of the stick as they are stuck with no discount or gift to give and the likelihood that someone else has access to their private information.

    1. Craigslist scams

Craigslist can be a great place to purchase local gifts. However, it is also one of the most dangerous places on the Internet to let your guard down. The site is rampant with false links, scammers and crooks. Tips for staying safe on Craigslist include avoiding credit card transfers, unless you are using secure eCommerce sites like PayPal. Further, it is best to log in to eCommerce sites externally, as opposed to clicking on a link directly from Craigslist, to avoid being routed to a criminal network.

    1. Employment scams

The holiday season is one of the most popular times to pick up a second job. It is also one of the most popular times to post fake job descriptions hoping to snag personal information from job seekers recklessly flying through applications. Job seekers should always use caution when supplying data such as Social Security numbers and contact information. Always know the site you are submitting credentials to, and follow up with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to avoid getting hoodwinked.

    1. Unchecked child spending

More and more kids are gaining access to personal mobile devices, and this means they need to be informed of the dangers of online identity theft “” especially around the holidays. Aside from online shopping, this also pertains to malicious software downloads and games.

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