The holiday season is upon us, and for many this
means we increase our travel, shopping and charitable donations. Unfortunately,
this also opens a door for scammers to take advantage of our additional online
activity. Whether you are making flight reservations or purchasing the top
gifts of the season, your e-mail and personal accounts can become vulnerable.
Before clicking on a deal that seems too good to be true, stop and think. Below
is a list of holiday e-mail scams to be alert for this season:
1. ‘Tis the Season for Giving –
E-mails that come in during the holidays may ask you to support a cause with a
monetary donation. We are all a little more generous during this time of year.
Before clicking on any links or making your donation, do your research. If this
is a legitimate charity, visit their Web site directly for detailed
information. A credible charity will give you information describing its
mission, how donations are distributed and proof that your contribution is tax
deductible.
2. Heading Home for the Holidays –
If you haven’t purchased a flight home for the holidays, cautiously look at any
e-mail stating that an airline ticket has been purchased in your name. Call the
airline immediately and do not open the e-mail. Hackers may attempt to place
malicious software in a link for a fake airline ticket.
3. Thank You for the Card – E-cards
are a popular and inexpensive way to deliver the season’s greetings to family
and friends. E-cards are also an easy way for hackers to install viruses and
malware on your computer. Be careful when clicking on a link in an e-card, as
the hackers will often use logos from recognizable brands in order to appear
legitimate. If you are concerned, delete the e-mail immediately.
4. Oh Wow! A Package! – E-mails that
look like they are coming from familiar delivery services stating that a
package can’t be delivered tend to increase during the holiday season. The
e-mail typically asks the receiver to insure their order so it can be delivered
properly. If the receiver enters a credit card, the scammer could be off
shopping with your money. If you have made an online purchase and receive an
e-mail like this, contact the company you made the purchase from to inquire about
delivery or track your purchase through the delivery Web site.
5. This Year’s HOT Item – Beware of
e-mails from Web sites claiming to have the “hot” gift of the season.
If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. These fake Web sites will
tempt you through an appealing e-mail, directing you to their Web site where,
upon ordering, they gain access to your credit card and billing information.
You probably won’t get your gift but, instead, a very large bill. When shopping
online, buy only from a reputable, known site.
6. A New Credit Card For Holiday Purchases –
Of course, we can all use extra money during the holidays, and many credit card
companies see the holidays as the perfect time of year to get new customers. Be
cautious of e-mails from unfamiliar credit card providers. These cards can have
high membership fees and interest rates, may only be used at specific stores or
online, and can limit the products you are able to purchase. Don’t accept these
offers but instead inquire for a card from a notable credit card company.
7. Local Holiday Events – False
local news can be pushed to you via e-mail, highlighting topics of interest
like holiday events in your town. Beware when clicking on links as you may
begin downloading viruses or malware. If you see a headline you are interested
in, visit a trusted local news site rather than clicking on the link.
8. Holiday Spending – We all tend to
shop until we drop during the holidays, so we may not find it odd if we receive
an e-mail from the bank to verify account information. But be warned, scammers
are sending fraudulent e-mails asking customers to confirm their banking
details and passwords. Unfortunately, the bank Web site is not the actual site
you’ll be directed to. If the e-mail seems suspicious, call your bank directly
before sending any information.
If you think you have fallen victim to a scam,
change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts and place a fraud
alert on your credit reports. Contact the bank, online merchant or charity
directly to alert them of your concerns. As a best practice, routinely review
your bank and credit card statements for any charges that you didn’t initiate.
Additionally, be sure your computer’s antivirus software is up to date – this
extra defense may help keep spam e-mails out of your inbox.