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Keep the Holidays Merry — Not Scary: Avoid Scams and Fraud
The holidays are a time for giving, celebrating, and connecting but unfortunately, they’re also a busy season for scammers. With more online shopping, digital payments, and charitable donations, fraudsters take advantage of the hustle and bustle to trick unsuspecting consumers. Stay alert and protect your money by learning how to spot common scams and keeping your personal information secure all season long.
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Recent Scams to Watch For:
Cybercriminals are increasingly reaching consumers via major social media platforms, including LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. Along with wrong-number text schemes. Be cautious with any unsolicited message.
Spot Dangerous Email Words:
An analysis of spam data by ZeroBounce, a leading email validation service, revealed the scam-related words most often used by cybercriminals to entice victims. The following terms showed the highest click-through rates in phishing emails:
| 1. Income | 2. Investment | 3. Credit | 4. Billion | 5. Free |
|---|
Why it matters:
Scammers use high-impact words like these to increase the chances that you’ll click a malicious link. If you receive an unsolicited email containing these terms, proceed with caution. Fraudsters often rely on these phrases to convince you to share personal information or take quick action. Take time to verify the message, do your research, or ask for help and never feel pressured into making a transaction.
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HOW TO AVOID COMMON HOLIDAY SCAMS .png)
1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Turn on two-factor authentication to give your accounts an extra layer of protection and keep attackers out.
2. Shop Smart - Buy Only from Trusted Sources
When shopping online, purchase only from well-established, reputable merchants. Always double-check the website’s URL to ensure its legitimate and secure.
3. Stay Skeptical of Urgent Requests
Scammers love to make you feel rushed. Slow down, do a little research, and make sure the purchase is legitimate.
4. Be Careful with Social Media and Online Ads
Scammers may advertise fake products or services through social media posts or paid ads. Avoid oversharing personal information, especially when interacting with unfamiliar accounts or businesses.
5. Monitor Financial Transactions
Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements, especially after shopping online. If something looks off, contact your us right away.
6. Beware of Gift Card Scams
Never send gift cards to strangers or to anyone insisting on being paid with them. This is a common sign of fraud.
7. Use Credit Cards for Purchases
When shopping online, use a credit card for added fraud protection. Most credit card issuers provide zero liability for unauthorized charges.
8. Don't Give Out Personal Information
Be cautious when sharing personal information, especially with unsolicited callers. Scammers often impersonate trusted organizations to steal your identity.
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COMMON SCAMS TO WATCH FOR .png)
1. Gift Scams
Scammers often lure consumers with ads for popular or sold-out items at deep discounts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Vishing, Phishing, Quishing, Smishing
Scammers use fake calls, texts, emails, and even QR codes to pretend they’re from your bank or a government agency. Stay safe by avoiding unsolicited links, messages, and QR codes.
3. Holiday Employment Scams
Fraudulent job offers may request sensitive personal information or ask you to pay for background checks. Only apply to reputable, trusted employers.
4. Social Media Scams
Scammers can run ads for products that aren’t real. Take a moment to look up the seller and read reviews before purchasing.
5. Charity Scams
Holiday giving is wonderful, just be careful. Scammers sometimes set up fake charities to take advantage of kindhearted donors.
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Happy Holidays from Agility Bank.