Holiday season can also bring an increase in scams, and Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents. According to the Attorney General’s office, Hanaway advises caution as fraudulent activities rise, including fake charities, misleading online sales, and AI-generated messages.
Potential scams include fake delivery notifications and dishonest social media fundraisers, with scammers targeting holiday generosity. They may send fake texts, create fraudulent online stores, or use fake "Letters from Santa" to gather personal information. Hanaway said, "Staying alert and informed is one of the best defenses against holiday scams," and noted that her office is ready to assist Missourians who encounter problems.
To avoid scams, Missourians should watch for warning signs such as deals that seem too good to be true, unexpected payment requests, and websites without proper contact information. The Attorney General’s office also recommends using credit cards for online purchases and checking unfamiliar sellers carefully before sharing money or personal information, advice that is especially important in today’s digital economy.
Missourians can also protect themselves by avoiding QR codes from unknown sources, not using public Wi-Fi for transactions, and contacting the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 if they suspect a scam.
