How to Protect Yourself From Holiday Scams and Fraud

The holiday season is a time for cheer and goodwill towards others. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers and fraudsters come out of the woodwork. They know that people are more likely to let their guard down during the holiday season, and they take advantage of that fact. In this article, we will discuss how to protect yourself from holiday scams and fraud. We will provide tips on how to spot scams, and we will give you advice on how to keep your finances safe during the holiday season.

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Holiday Scams and Fraud

The holidays are a time for giving, but they’re also a time when scammers and fraudsters are out in full force. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021, an increase of more than 70 percent over the previous year. The most commonly reported category is imposter scams, followed by online shopping scams.

Don’t let scammers ruin your holiday season. Here are five ways to protect yourself from holiday scams and fraud:

1. Prioritize privacy by using strong passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication. This will help protect your accounts if someone tries to hack them.

2. Filter calls and use anti-fraud safeguards like enhanced Caller ID. This will help you screen calls and protect yourself from scammers who might try to reach you by phone.

3. Validate or delete emails and text messages, or even letters and phone calls. If you can’t validate it, report it as spam or junk mail. This way you can protect yourself from phishing attempts and other email scams.

4. Check your credit report to determine if someone is using credit in your name. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get started. This will help you catch any red flags that might indicate fraud or identity theft.

5. Just say no to gift cards. Never buy a gift card for someone I don’t know. Gift cards are a popular method for scammers to defraud people, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

By following these five tips, you can help protect yourself from holiday scams and fraudsters this season.

Don’t Be a Victim of Fraud- Report It

If you’ve been the victim of a scam, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency, and they may be able to help you get your money back. You can also use their website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to report a company that has scammed you or an unwanted call from a company. When you report a scam, you’re helping the FTC stop fraud and protect other consumers. So don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be a time for financial danger if we’re not careful. That’s why we are reminding our readers of some important holiday scams and fraud tips that will help keep you protected during the holiday season. Please share this article with your loved ones so everyone can avoid scammers and have a happy holiday season! And don’t forget to sign up for our free newsletter so you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and information from MyChesCo.com. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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