As we enter the thick of the holiday shopping season, the FBI San Diego Field Office has issued a warning urging consumers to remain vigilant for a variety of scams designed to prey on the festive spirit. From non-delivery scams to fraudulent charity organizations, the dangers of being swindled are as present as ever. "The FBI receives thousands of reports every year of people being scammed during the holidays," said Mark Dargis, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office, in a statement per FBI San Diego. He emphasized the importance of staying vigilant to avoid letting scammers spoil the joy of the season.
The nature of these scams ranges from paying for items that never arrive to shipping goods without receiving payment in return. Scammers have also been known to quickly ask victims to pay with gift cards, an immediate red flag. According to the FBI release, auction fraud and fake charities are also rampant, with the latter often soliciting through various digital means, including emails and social media, in attempts to obtain funds illegitimately.
To better protect yourself during the holiday rush, the FBI suggests scrutinizing every online transaction and donation. They recommend checking website URLs for the "https://" prefix and a locked padlock icon, which indicates a secure connection. Additionally, before buying gift cards, inspect them thoroughly for any signs of tampering, a telltale sign of potential fraud. And when supporting charities, verify their legitimacy through trusted sources, rather than responding to direct gift card or wire transfer solicitations.
FBI San Diego stresses the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or attachments and being cautious with too-good-to-be-true deals. When conducting transactions online, using wire transfers, virtual currency, or gift cards as payment should raise suspicions. Always aim to get tracking numbers for online purchases to ensure delivery and the legitimacy of the transaction. Suppose you do find yourself a victim of a holiday scam or charity fraud. In that case, they advise you to immediately report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and contact your bank or credit card company to dispute charges.
