It is the holiday season, and we are all ordering online and getting our packages delivered to our homes. We as consumers must be diligent to make sure we do not become victims of scams!
This is an article derived from an AARP email I received that had several links to articles published by AARP. I have included the links for each section below. AARP is a wealth of information for seniors at a very low cost. I highly recommend the investment of both membership fees and time to read their articles.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Online Shopping Scams:
Beware of advertisers on Facebook and Instagram. According to BBB Scam Tracker, 40% of online shopping scams originate from these two sources. That being said, there are legitimate businesses on Facebook, and it is an excellent way to advertise a business. For instance, BRPS is on Facebook, and I advertise through Facebook.
My recommendation to protect yourself is consistent with the recommendation to safeguard yourself against phishing emails. If you see an advertisement that interests you, leave the Facebook page, go to your browser, and research the legitimacy of the business. Use search terms with the business name and the words “scam” or “fraud.” If you do not find any information, STOP there and do not go to the business’s website. If the site is legitimate, someone will have noted it.
NEVER click on the link from Facebook, that is how the scammers get you.
Red Flags include:
- Prices too good to be true
- Low-quality website
- Contract options that give the retailer too much of your information
- URLs (the internet address to get to the website) that look odd compared to the retailer’s name
- Sites that ask you to download software
- Sellers that do not accept PayPal or a credit cards
Gift Card Scams
If a vendor asks you to pay with a gift card, assume it is a scam. Legitimate businesses and government bodies do not ask for payment by gift card. If you get a phone call or text indicating you owe a debt, verify the existence of the debt. Go to the official website of the business. See BRPS post “It Takes a Village – Case Study 5” for real stories related to these types of scams.
Another gift card scam identified by AARP: A scammer will surreptitiously take a non-activated gift card, scratch the PIN area, write down the gift card number and PIN, put a new scratch-off sticker over the PIN, and replace the card in the rack for the unsuspecting consumer. The scammer then loads the numbers into software and waits for the card(s) to be activated. When the card is activated, the scammer drains the balance before the recipient even has a chance to use it.
BRPS recommendation: .
Buy gift cards directly from the store. Purchase from stores that allow you to upload the balance to your account (i.e., Walmart, Steam, Apple, Microsoft, department stores, Amazon, etc.) vs. a prepaid VISA or Mastercard card. Purchase as late as practical and make sure the recipient loads the balance to his/her account immediately. Hopefully, this prevents the thieves’ software from getting to the credit card balance before it has been used.
Finally, if you get an email or text encouraging you to “click here” to get your free credit card. BEWARE, DO NOT CLICK THROUGH! If you recognize the vendor, go to your browser to the vendor’s website, and sign in to your account. If it is legit, your reward will be waiting there for you.
Case in Point
CASE IN POINT
Bank of America is notorious for sending emails with links to the business offering rewards. These emails are legitimate; nevertheless, I never click on them from the email just in case. I sign in to my account and review my reward vendors on the BOA site. This drives me insane that a bank does this when financial institutions are the entities warning you about online fraud.
Package Delivery
A Personal Story
The scammers love that we have everything delivered to our doorstep! They love it even more that we have every vendor text us, with updates.
I start my holiday shopping the week of Thanksgiving. By the end of the week, I will have 20+ packages arriving in the next two weeks. While out shopping on November 30th, I received a text from FedEx that my delivery could not be delivered. At that moment, I was furious, ready to give FedEx a piece of my mind!
PAUSE! DO NOT CLICK, I said to myself.
Yes, it was a scam. They had no idea whether I had ordered anything. Nevertheless, I was the victim they were looking for, as they succeeded at pushing my emotional button. Luckily, I stopped myself from reacting and averted having my identity stolen.
Other Package Deliver Scams
Another concerning delivery involves a call or text from the delivery driver. Most retailers use logistics companies to deliver their products. As such, scammers have learned that they can request personal data to make sure your product is delivered timely. If you get this phone call, remember, the delivery company has your address; let them verify where they are trying to deliver it. If they give you a bogus address, tell them you will call the retailer to find out what the problem is. If they give you an appropriate address, feel free to help them navigate the neighborhood.
NEVER give them credit card information!
The retailer has that information and is responsible for paying the delivery service not you.
Charity Scams
As human beings, we want to help those less fortunate and with Facebook, GoFundMe, Instagram, etc. it is easy for a not-for-profit or down-on-their-luck individual to post their story. Unfortunately, it is just as easy for a scammer to post a sad story and swindle you out of your money. As every section has cautioned, be weary! Here are some things
you can do to protect yourself.
- Utilize resources such as Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance to verify the cause’s legitimacy.
- Like my advice on reviewing businesses advertising on Facebook, do your own research online. Look for indications that the charity is a scam. If you want to give to that hard-luck story on GoFundMe, beware, you may be giving to a scammer, so use PayPal or a credit card; do not give them your personal bank information.
- Stick with well-known charities and use their official website to contribute. If you want to give money for a natural disaster, give it to the American Red Cross on their website. If you want to help children battling a disease, give directly to St. Jude’s, etc. If there is a particular organization you want to contribute to, go directly to their website.
Moral of this post
DO NOT CLICK! ALWAYS VERIFY AT THE VENDOR’s WEBSITE.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
Do you have a war story that might help another person? Share it!