How to Avoid Holiday Scams

Introduction 

Since the holidays are here, you’re undoubtedly ready to spread the joy to those in the surrounding area. But it’s essential to remain careful while you’re making charitable contributions or shopping for gifts. 

Scammers frequently trick individuals by using excitement, stress, or even the Christmas spirit. We’re offering helpful advice on identifying and avoiding typical Christmas scams to assist you in safeguarding both yourself and your loved ones.

Some Common Holidays Scams

Scams can take numerous shapes, but most of them aim to either steal your money or personal information. Although money-stealing scams happen all year long, they are more common over the holidays. 

Scammers are aware that individuals are searching for discounts on presents, anticipating mail, or seeking additional funds to spend on their loved ones. The following are some scams to watch out for.

• Money collection scams: Even if you don’t owe them any money, a phony IRS or utility representative will call you and demand payment.
• Scams involving online auctions: Scammers will attempt to sell you a phony gift card or one with a little balance on auction websites.
• Gift card tampering: An impostor removes the sticker or repackages the card after opening it to obtain the number. Once the card is enabled, it utilizes this information to access its money.
• Scams involving fake prizes: After winning a promotion, you may be requested to use cash or a gift card to cover processing or shipment costs.
• Phishing gift card activation websites: Scammers will create a feasible website that allows you to activate your new gift card, only to steal your personal information and gift card.

How to Avoid Holiday Scams

1. Practice Caution Shopping Online

Among the most dangerous frauds were those involving online purchasing. In addition to being common, 82% of victims of internet shopping scams said they had lost money.

Use these pointers to avoid online buying scams:

• Online markets should be avoided. Use additional caution or just stay away from online marketplaces such as Craigslist, NextDoor, Facebook Marketplace, and others. The same purchase safeguards that apply when purchasing from a recognized shop or using a credit card will not apply when paying with cash and buying directly from an individual.
• Employ payment methods that may be traced. A warning sign that the transaction could be fake is if you are requested to pay using gift cards, bitcoin, or a wire transfer. Alternatively, using a peer-to-peer payment system with purchase safeguards, like TangoPay, which provides safe and quick transfer services, would be preferable.

2. Don’t Fall for Phone Delivery Scams

Fake delivery notice SMS are frequently used in impersonation schemes to fool victims into clicking on a phishing link. When someone clicks on the link, they are sent to a fake website that either puts malware onto their device or tries to get private information, such as their Social Security number.

Because an unknown loved one could have given a gift around the holidays, it’s tempting to click on an unwanted “tracking link.” Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this inclination, and during the holidays, false delivery scams are particularly common.

Simply do not respond to any email or text that asks you to open links or provide information to prevent falling victim to phony delivery scams. These can be efforts at phishing. Instead, go straight to a delivery service’s website and log in to track shipments using reliable sources.

3. Safeguard Your Passwords

To help reduce risk, give account security some thought before the holidays. Follow these guidelines to ensure the security of your accounts:

• Give each of your accounts a distinct password. If that seems like too much work, think about creating challenging, unique passwords for yourself with a password manager.
• Activate multifactor verification. Turn on multifactor authentication wherever you can, especially for financial accounts. If an account’s password is hacked, this security feature may assist protect data by requiring users to go above and beyond to confirm their identity before logging in.

4. Check for Skimming Devices

Look for card-skimming devices that could be connected to an ATM or card reader when you’re shopping in stores. Fraud involving card skimming is more common than you may imagine. The FBI estimates that it costs consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion annually.

A scammer connects a device known as a skimmer to a card reader in this kind of fraud. Because skimmers are tiny and difficult to spot, your transaction will go normally. Customers are unaware that the gadget duplicates a card’s data for future usage or sale.

It is possible to skim even cards that include an EMV chip. It is safer to pay with cash or a contactless payment method like a digital wallet or tap-to-pay card.

Final Thoughts 

You can avoid bad things from happening during the holidays and save money by taking a little more time to be attentive. Make sure you use a safe app for money transfers and change your account password if you think you may have fallen victim to scams. 

There are several alternatives available, whether you’re looking for the best applications to transfer money or how to send money abroad from the UK at the best rates. Let’s make this even easier for you, though. 

For you, TangoPay is created. Quick, reliable, and made to facilitate safe and easy overseas transactions. TangoPay enables you to transfer money from the UK at the best rates or to any other country in the world.