Beware of Popular Holiday Scams
While fraud can occur any time of year, it unfortunately becomes more popular during the holidays. This could be due to the hustle and bustle of the season and the fact that more people are shopping, especially online. Here is a list of the most common holiday fraud schemes, and tips on protecting yourself.
3 Common Holiday Fraud Methods & Scams
Some of the most common holiday frauds and scams include:
- Skimming is carried out by using electronic devices to secretly scan and store debit card and credit card numbers and PINs. This tactic is commonly used on fuel pumps at gas stations and ATMs.
- SMiShing (SMS phishing) is where scammers attempt to get a hold of your personal information via a text or SMS message. The text seems to be from a trustworthy entity, like a financial institution. They usually ask for personal information like account numbers, passwords, and often ask you to click a link. CAMPUS would never call, text, or email you directly requesting personal or account information.
- Phishing is the act of sending emails, acting as reputable companies, to get people to reveal their personal information, such as credit card numbers and passwords. This type of fraud is very common and easy to fall victim to because the emails are designed to look exactly like the ones financial institutions send to their customers or members.
What to Do to Protect Yourself and Your Finances from Holiday Scams
1. Use Your Credit Card to Make Purchases Online
For most online purchases, credit cards provide you with extra purchasing protection. If you notice any unauthorized charges on your statements, you can dispute those charges. You'll want to check with your credit card provider to learn about the type of protections you have since they can vary by financial institution.
2. Don't Click on Email Links
Scammers often send out email messages that look like a well-known company, such as PayPal, in an attempt to pretend to notify you of problems with your account. If you enter your password and username, the scammers then save your information and transfer your money into their foreign accounts. Beware because these scams are common, and they look legitimate, but they're not.
A good rule of thumb is to not click on links in emails. Instead, if you receive a notice requiring action, such as resetting your password, visit the website directly. Log directly into your account and see if there are any notifications or actions required. It’s always safer to visit the website directly versus clicking links in emails.
3. Research Charities Before Donating
The holiday season and the end of the year are popular times to make charitable donations. But make sure any contributions you make actually goes to the charity and not in scammer's hands. If somebody calls and asks you to donate to a certain charity, tell them you'd like to research the charity first. Don't let anyone make you feel rushed to make a donation. You want to ensure your gift is going where it counts.
It’s important to note that if a charity is asking you to donate via cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards, it's most likely a scam.
4. Don't Keep Checks in the Mailbox for Long
Unlocked mailboxes make easy targets for thieves. Bring checks to the post office, drop them in a locked mailbox, or hand them to the postal carrier. Don't leave them sitting in your unlocked mailbox. You might even want to consider setting up online bill pay to reduce how many checks you write.
CAMPUS Can Help!
Stay safe this holiday season. Protect yourself from scams by avoiding clicking on links in emails and text messages that require you to reset your password or reactivate your account. This is also the perfect time to update your passwords on your accounts and any websites where your personal information is stored.
If you have questions on changing your password in CAMPUS Online & Mobile Banking, stop by any of our convenient service center locations, give us a call at 800-367-6440, or visit the online portal to do it yourself. We want all our members and their families to have a safe and happy holiday season.
Other Resources:
Identity Theft: Warning Signs and Prevention Tips
Learn more about cyber security
Protecting Your Credit Card from Fraud
By Campus USA at 24 Nov 2020, 17:31 PM