The holidays bring excitement, celebration and connection, but they also bring a rise in scams. As shoppers hunt for deals, ship gifts, and donate to causes, scammers work harder than ever to take advantage of the rush. Staying aware is the best way to keep your season merry and secure.
Here are the top scams to watch for this month:
- Travel Deal Traps: Extremely cheap flights or vacation rentals can be fake. Book trips through trusted travel sites or verified agencies.
- Gift Card Payment Scams: No legitimate business asks for payment in gift cards. Treat any request for gift card purchases as an automatic red flag.
- Package Delivery Text Scams: Unexpected "missed delivery" texts often lead to malicious links. Track packages directly through the carrier instead.
- Fake Online Deals: Scammers create convincing websites or social ads offering unrealistic holiday discounts. Always verify the retailer before you buy.
- Charity Imposters: Fraudulent groups mimic real charities during the giving season. Research organizations before donating and avoid high-pressure requests.
Protecting your information this December doesn't have to be complicated. Simple habits, like shredding sensitive documents and staying cautious online, keep your holiday magic intact.
If you believe you have been victimized by identity theft, report the incident immediately by calling the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Hotline:
Toll-Free: 1-877-IDTHEFT
TDD: 202-326-2502
Online at https://www.identitytheft.gov/
Also, call us at 1-888-8CAPFED to report any unusual activity related to your accounts.