Be alert

Posted 11/28/12

The holiday season is upon us, and for many this means an increase in travel, shopping and charitable donations. Unfortunately, this also opens a door for scammers to take advantage of additional online activity.

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Be alert

Posted

The holiday season is upon us, and for many this means an increase in travel, shopping and charitable donations. Unfortunately, this also opens a door for scammers to take advantage of additional online activity. Whether making flight reservations or purchasing the top gifts of the season, email and personal accounts can become vulnerable. Before clicking on a deal that seems too good to be true, stop and think. Below is a list of holiday email scams to be alert for this season:

'Tis the Season for Giving - Emails that come in during the holidays may ask you to support a cause with a monetary donation. Everyone is a little more generous during this time of year. Before clicking on any links or making a donation, do some research. If this is a legitimate charity, visit their website directly for detailed information. A credible charity will give information describing its mission, how donations are distributed and proof that a contribution is tax deductible.

Heading Home for the Holidays - If you haven't purchased a flight home for the holidays, cautiously look at any email stating that an airline ticket has been purchased in your name. Call the airline immediately, and do not open the email. Hackers may attempt to place malicious software in a link of a fake airline ticket.

Thank You for the Card - E-cards are a popular and inexpensive way to deliver the season's greetings to family and friends. E-cards are also an easy way for hackers to install viruses and malware on your computer. Be careful when clicking on a link in an ecard as the hackers will often use logos from recognizable brands in order to appear legitimate. If you are concerned, delete the email immediately.

Oh Wow! A Package - Emails that look like they are coming from familiar delivery services stating that a package can't be delivered tend to increase during the holiday season. The email typically asks the receiver to insure their order so it can be delivered properly. If the receiver enters a credit card, the scammer could be off shopping with their money. If you have made an online purchase and receive an email like this, contact the company you made the purchase from to inquire about delivery or track the purchase through the delivery website.

This Year's Hot Item - Beware of emails from websites claiming to have the "hot" gift of the season. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. These fake websites will tempt buyers through an appealing email, directing you to their website, where upon ordering they gain access to credit card and billing information. When shopping online, buy only from a reputable, known site.

A New Credit Card For Holiday Purchases - Of course, everyone can use extra money during the holidays, and many credit card companies see the holidays as the perfect time of year to get new customers. Be cautious of emails from unfamiliar credit card providers. These cards can have high membership fees and interest rates, may only be used at specific stores or online, and can limit the products you are able to purchase. Don't accept these offers, but instead inquire for a card from a notable credit card company.

Local Holiday Events - False local news can be pushed via email, highlighting topics of interest like holiday events in your town. Beware when clicking on links as you may begin downloading viruses or malware. If you see a headline you are interested in, visit a trusted local news site rather than click on the link.

Holiday Spending - Everyone tends to shop until they drop during the holidays. So, it may not seem unusual to receive an email from the bank to verify account information. Instead, scammers are sending these emails asking customers to confirm their banking details and passwords. Unfortunately, the bank website is not the actual website. If the email seems suspicious, call your bank directly before sending any information.

If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts and place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Contact the bank, online merchant or charity directly to alert them of your concerns. As a best practice, routinely review your bank and credit card statements for any charges that you didn't initiate. Additionally, be sure your computer's antivirus software is up-to-date. This extra defense may help keep spam emails out of your inbox.