Common Holiday Scam Reminders

[JaniceSW]

The holidays is the best time of year for scamming according to the scammers, themselves.  People are more distracted,  in a hurry, and looking for a bargain.
Common scams:
1. Technology creates imposters.  Don't use public WiFi.  Your signal can be intercepted by the bad guys and your identity stolen! Use well-known websites, not obscure ones, for shopping and inputting credit card info.
2.  Speaking of credit cards, use them instead of debit cards.  Debit is linked to your checking while credit cards usually have some safeguards built in for a period of time.
3. If you give to charity, you might want to research how much goes to the actual charitable work and how much to administration/fundraising.
4. Don't leave stuff in your car while you shop...not even your trunk.  Bad guys often sit in their car and watch and then just pop your trunk.
5.  Ask to sign off on deliveries.  Bad guys sometimes follow delivery trucks and wait until the package is left on the porch.  You could also ask for the package to be delivered to a neighbor's address after asking if they will accept delivery if you are not going to be home.
6.  Monitor your accounts every few days.  What is the balance and what have been the withdrawals?  Identity thieves can easily empty your accounts.
7.  Leave your home exterior and interior lit up like a Christmas tree.  Lighting is a deterrent to thieves. 
8.  Watch out for your neighbors.  Unusual activity...call 911.  Better that then a home invasion, a burglary, or worse!

[Nancy5]

It's a shame we have to do things like that.  You can never be too cautious.  Thanks for the information.

[monnee]

Good to know.  Thanks for the info.

[Jayce2013]

Thank you

[ktheodos]

Good tips ....thanks!

[vickysue]

Very good tips, There used to be a time that we left our doors unlocked and didn;t have to worry about all of the stuff that is now going on.  I hate it that i now live with the doors locked, we as children were in and out of each others hoses all the time, now you can not  hardly let your children walk to the park by them selves, Oh how i miss the old days.

[makeblessed]

Good reminders, thank you for sharing that! it is easy to sometimes become distracted in all the hectic running around we sometimes do during the holiday season. We have to remain mindful of our surroundings and as you say monitor our account(s).

[LaTashaS28]

Great tips...it is good to know.

[gaby_ro_2004]

Good to know,thanks!

[dsosnowski06]

Thanks for the tips.  If I do put something in my car I also move to a different part of the parking lot in case someone is watching. 

[gaylasue]

Thanks for the reminders!  It pays to be extra cautious especially during this time of the year when so much is going on.

[adriarobi]

Thank you for the info. Interesting on using Wi-fi publically.

 

[yikes77]

Tis the season for reminders, fa la la la... good tips!

[braggin]

Thanks for these reminders. It is always a good idea to go through a list like this at least once a year to bring them to the foreground of consciousness!

[braggin]

Thanks for these reminders. It is always a good idea to read through a list of precautions like this at least once a year to bring them to the forefront of consciousness!