The holidays are just around the corner. And in the next few days, we may be busy shopping for gifts online. When shopping online, particularly during the holiday season, always be careful in choosing your deals to avoid becoming a scammer's victim.
Many people become victims of holiday scams every year. These scammers rob you of your personal information and your hard-earned money. Moreover, being a victim of scammers can rob you of your festive mood as well.
According to the website of FBI, non-delivery and non-payment are two of the most prevalent holiday scams. A non-delivery scam happens when you pay for goods and services, but they are never delivered. Meanwhile, a non-payment scam is when goods and services are delivered, but the seller never receives any payment.
In this article, we identify five examples of holiday scams and how they can be avoided.
1. Auction Fraud
Auction fraud is when a product is misrepresented on an auction site. Beware of this, as sometimes the products on the site do not have the same quality as the real ones that will be shipped to you.
To avoid this, ask the seller to send you photos of the products. You can tell by the quality of the photos if this was really taken using a phone camera or if it is edited. Scrutinize the photos very well if there is any sign that the photo is edited, you might want to be cautious in buying the product.
2. The Gift Card Peek Scam
The Gift Card Peek Scam happens when scammers take a card and then scratch off the coating that protects the PIN code, according to Forbes. Then, the scammers will record the code and apply a new coating to deceive the buyer.
The scammers will then wait for the card to be purchased and activated, and by then, the number and PIN will be ready for the scammer to use. To avoid being a victim of such a scam, examine any gift cards you purchase carefully. You can also choose to send an e-gift card instead but make sure it's from a reputable site.
Read Also: Holiday Scam: 11 Tips to Avoid Online Fraudsters From Stealing Your Personal Info, Money
3. Mail Theft
There are still people who send cash through the mail. The problem is thieves find it easy to distinguish personal cards from other junk mail and bills. They will then open your mail, look for cash, reseal the envelope, and put it in your mailbox.
Aside from cash, mail thieves can also find cards and other valuable tidbits of information in your mail. And it is happening on a large scale, which is alarming. To avoid mail theft, avoid sending cash in the mail. Instead, just order a cool gift or just send an e-gift card to your loved ones.
4. Package Theft
Despite the increase in CCTV and video doorbells, there are still thieves who steal packages on your porch. The retailer might send you photo evidence that your package was delivered, but it would still go missing.
To avoid this, you might try to install a package drop box with a key that you keep. You can also occasionally check on your video doorbell for delivery notifications. If you're not home, you may ask a neighbor to pick up a package for you.
5. Counterfeit Goods Scams
Scammers might advertise hot deals of well-known brands through social media. Their products might look genuine, but once you receive the goods, they'll be cheap imitations only.
To avoid this, purchase only from reputable sites. If you're suspicious of a site, do a quick Google search.
Related Article: Holiday Shopping Scams: Do Not Fall for These 4 Info, Money-Stealing Attacks
