BBB warns: Tis’ the Season for Holiday Scams
Consumers can fall into any number of traps over the holidays and become victim to identity thieves, hackers and deceptive online merchants. The BBB is warning holiday shoppers and donors to look out for these common scams this holiday season:
UPS/FedEx/DHL/USPS package delivery scam
The scam begins with an e-mail complete with a phony tracking number informing you that there was a package delivery error. You’ll be instructed to open an attachment to print out a correct delivery label that you’re supposed to take to the nearest UPS/FedEx/DHL/USPS office. Open the attachment, however, and you’ll open your computer to malware and virus attacks. Delete the phony e-mail.
Scam shopping sites online
Some sites offer electronics, the “must have” toys, or luxury goods at prices that are too good to be true. Every holiday season BBB hears from holiday shoppers who paid for a supposedly great deal online, but received nothing in return.
Bogus charitable pleas
The holidays are a time of giving which creates a great opportunity for scammers to solicit donations to fill their own pockets. Beware of solicitations from charities that don’t necessarily deliver on their promises or are ill-equipped to carry through on their plans.
E-Card Scam
This fraudulent e-mail claims to contain an electronic greeting card from an anonymous individual, such as a "friend" or "classmate."The fraudulent emails, which claim to be from legitimate greeting card companies, tell consumers to click on a link in the email message to view their e-card. Clicking on the link can possibly expose a person's computer to a virus. If you receive one of these e-cards from a generic “friend,” or from a person whose e-mail you don’t recognize, delete it.
Surveys Offering Holiday Spending Cash
In an effort to take advantage of cash-strapped holiday shoppers, scammers are posing as popular retailers and e-mailing fake surveys to consumers. One e-mail has a subject line that reads, “Online Survey from Wal-Mart Stores!!!” The body of the message states, “This survey has been sent only to a few people from our random generator!”, and “You’ve been selected to take part in our quick and easy 9 questions survey. In return we will credit $90 to your account - Just for your time!” The e-mail includes a link to a Web site where the recipient is supposed to take the survey, but navigates to a site asking for personal information.