The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Little Rock has issued a warning to consumer to be mindful of criminals during the holiday season.
Shoppers looking for a good deal this holiday season need to be aware of aggressive and deceptive scams designed to steal money and personal information. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost over $6.9 billion to scammers in 2021, including more than $335 million in online shopping and non-delivery scams.
Online Shopping Scams
Criminals often offer too-good-to-be-true deals via phishing emails, text messages, and fake advertisements on social media. Stay clear of unfamiliar sites offering unrealistic discounts on brand-name merchandise. Scammers frequently prey on bargain hunters by advertising “One-Day Only” promotions for recognizable brands. Without employing a skeptical eye, consumers may end up paying for an item, giving away personal information, and receive nothing in return except a compromised identity. Bottom line is if the deal looks to good to be true, it probably is.
Fraudulent Social Media Posts
Consumers should beware of posts on social media sites that appear to offer special deals, vouchers, or gift cards. Some may appear as holiday promotions or contests. Others may be sent by friends who shared a link on popular social media sites. These scams frequently lead consumers to participate in online surveys designed to steal personal information. Before you click on a social media advertisement, do your due diligence and check the legitimacy of the website before providing any personal or credit card information.
Authorities say there are several steps consumers can take to avoid holiday fraud schemes.
– Before shopping online, secure all your financial accounts with strong passwords. Additionally, use different passwords for each financial account.
– Routinely check bank and credit card statements, especially after making online purchases and in the weeks following the holiday season.
– Never give personal information – such as your date of birth, Social Security number, or home address – to anyone you do not know.
– Be highly suspicious of promotions and giveaways which require your personal information. The mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. For more information, visit www.FBI.gov.
– Prior to donating to any charity, verify they have a valid Taxpayer Identification number by visiting their website or calling the charity directly.
Shoppers who suspect they have been victimized by fraud, should immediately contact their financial institution, then call their local law enforcement agency or FBI Little Rock at 501-221-9100. Victims of holiday scams are also encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI at ic3.gov.
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