By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–The FBI’s San Diego Field Office is urging shoppers to stay vigilant this holiday season as scammers attempt to steal money and personal information through fraudulent deals, fake websites, and bogus charity appeals.
Officials warn that consumers should thoroughly research online sellers, avoid offers that seem too good to be true, and confirm the legitimacy of any charity before donating. The bureau says scammers frequently use the busy shopping season to exploit distracted buyers and generous donors.
“The FBI receives thousands of reports every year of people being scammed during the holidays,” Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis said in a statement. “Do not let scammers rob you of this joyous holiday season. Stop scammers before they strike — stay vigilant while shopping or donating during the holidays.”
The scams:
- Non-delivery scams, where you pay for goods or services you find online, but you never receive your items
- Non-payment scams, where you ship purchased goods or services, but you never receive payment for them
- Gift card fraud, where a seller asks you to pay with a prepaid card
- Fake charities, where copycat organizations solicit donations through phone calls, emails, crowdfunding platforms, and social media to steal funds
- Auction fraud, where a product you purchase was misrepresented on an auction site
Tips to protect yourself:
- Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media.
- Be wary if a company asks you to update your password or account information.
- Check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure. Web addresses should begin with “https://” and include a locked padlock icon.
- Inspect gift cards before purchasing. Check for signs of tampering.
- Donate wisely by verifying charities through trusted sources. Avoid those soliciting donations via gift cards or wire transfers.
- Be wary of any online transactions that use wire transfers, virtual currency, gift cards, or cash as payment options.
- Don’t pay for items with pre-paid gift cards. Never wire money directly to a seller.
- Always get tracking numbers for items you buy online.
The FBI San Diego encourages the public to review their online purchases and charitable donations.
Anyone who falls victim to a holiday scam or charity fraud can submit a complaint to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov as soon as possible.
Also, contact credit card companies or banks immediately to stop, reverse, or dispute any suspicious charges. For more information about holiday scams, visit fbi.gov/holidayscams.
