Five Holiday Scams to Watch Out for in 2024

Just a reminder that scammers and fraudsters don’t take weekends off. They do stop scamming during the holidays, and they don’t only work from 9 to 5. They’re at it all the time.

It usually starts with Black Friday but now extends into Cyber Monday.

Scammers set up phony websites and place ads on Facebook for products that they never plan to deliver.

I do most of my Black Friday shopping at malls. Yes, I’m that person. I shop in all of my favorite stores to see what kinds of sales they have available. So, it’s unlikely that I’ll run into a scammer in Bath and Body Works.

Cyber Monday is a bit different. I can easily how people could fall victim to online scams. They see deals for things that they thought were out of stock, and so, they take a chance.

Unfortunately, that’s what today’s scammers are counting on.

Why Scammers Love the Holidays

The holiday season is a prime time for scammers, and here’s why:

1. Increased Spending:
   People are shopping more than usual, both online and in stores. This creates opportunities for scams like fake online stores, phishing emails, and counterfeit products.

2. Emotional Appeal:
   The holidays bring out generosity, making people more likely to fall for charity scams or emotional pleas for help. Scammers often exploit this goodwill to steal money or information.

3. Busy and Distracted Shoppers:
   During the holiday rush, people are less likely to scrutinize offers or verify the legitimacy of deals, leading to impulsive decisions that scammers capitalize on.

4. Travel and Package Deliveries:
   With an increase in holiday travel and deliveries, scammers target people with fake travel deals, phishing emails posing as delivery companies, or package theft schemes.

5. Seasonal Employment:
   Many look for temporary jobs during the holidays, making them vulnerable to fake job postings that ask for personal information or upfront fees.

Bottom Line:
Scammers thrive on the chaos, emotion, and urgency of the holidays. Staying vigilant and taking extra precautions can help protect your money, personal information, and holiday cheer.

And hopefully, knowing more about these five scams will help you and your family stay safe this holiday season.

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